ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (PAMACC News) – The 13th edition of the Climate Change and Development in Africa Conference (CCDA-XIII) took place in Addis Ababa with a strong message: Africa is ready to lead its own climate agenda, built on science, inclusive finance, and a just transition. Convened under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Climate Action with Science, Finance, and Just Transition,” the three-day gathering brings together policymakers, scientists, climate negotiators, civil society leaders, development partners, and private sector representatives. Their mission is to sharpen an African-led, evidence-based climate agenda ahead of key global negotiations. A Pivotal Moment for Africa In her opening address, Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division at the African Union Commission (AUC), delivered remarks on behalf of Commissioner Moses Vilakati. She described the conference as unfolding at a turning point for the continent. “This year’s CCDA comes at a pivotal time. The climate crisis is accelerating — but so is Africa’s determination to lead with solutions grounded in equity, innovation, and resilience,” she said. El Gaouzi stressed that Africa’s story is not solely about vulnerability. Instead, it is about immense potential for transformation. “Over the next few days, we will explore not only the vulnerabilities that shape our shared experience, but also the immense opportunities to transform Africa into a hub of green growth and sustainable development,” she noted. Her message was clear: Africa should not be defined by climate risks but by the solutions it brings forward. “From scaling up climate finance to strengthening adaptive capacity and advancing homegrown research and technologies, CCDA-XIII is a platform for bold ideas and collaborative action,” she concluded. Putting People at the Center For the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), which represents a broad coalition of civil society organizations, the urgency of the moment cannot be overstated. Delivering remarks on behalf of Executive Director Mithika Mwenda, PACJA officials highlighted the devastating human toll of climate inaction. “In 2024 alone, more than 110 million Africans were affected by climate disasters — floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These are not abstract statistics. They represent lives disrupted, dignity eroded, and futures compromised,” Mwenda emphasized. He reminded participants that Africa, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, continues to bear the brunt of climate impacts. “Despite contributing the least to global emissions, Africa pays the highest price. That is why CCDA-XIII matters. This gathering must provide the scaffolding for Africa’s common position — equipping our leaders and negotiators with the evidence and solutions to stand tall in global climate diplomacy,” he said. Mwenda also celebrated Africa’s pioneering climate initiatives, citing Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative — a massive tree-planting campaign — as a global model of ambition and vision. Negotiators Call for Science-Driven Policy The African Group of Negotiators (AGN), which represents the continent in international climate talks, echoed these sentiments while sharpening the focus on science and sovereignty. Richard Muyungi, Chair of the AGN, declared that Africa was entering a new phase in climate leadership. “Africa is entering a new phase…

OPINION In July 2025, I had the privilege of representing the Seed and Knowledge Initiative at the African Chefs’ Gathering and Policy Convening on African Food Systems in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event brought together participants from 23 countries in a space of unity, purpose and solidarity, where voices from across the continent affirmed the beauty and sacredness of African food systems. We celebrated the richness of our heritage through indigenous foods used in ceremonies and healing, traditional dishes carrying ancestral wisdom, and food rituals that bind communities. Chefs spoke about grains like fonio and teff and fruits like baobab and moringa, reminding us that every dish tells a story of seed, soil and survival. Yet these stories are at risk, as imported and ultra-processed foods continue to push indigenous diets to the margins, weakening local economies, eroding culture and harming human health. What inspired me most was seeing chefs act as cultural ambassadors, using their kitchens as platforms of advocacy. Through food, they challenged policies that sideline traditional crops and smallholder farmers, and called for sovereignty and justice in how Africa feeds itself. At the same time, we confronted hard truths: the disconnection of youth from farming and cooking, colonial narratives that undermine African cuisine, the impacts of climate change and land degradation, and policies that speak of agroecology but fail to support it in practice. Despite these challenges, hope and opportunity guided the gathering. Together we imagined a future where African food knowledge is documented, shared and celebrated, where women and youth are central to agroecological and culinary transformation, and where policies and education systems uplift African food traditions. The commitment that emerged was clear; to uphold dignity, share knowledge, challenge narratives that devalue African food systems, and protect the small-scale producers, consumers and chefs who safeguard this heritage. Leaving Addis Ababa, I carried with me the spirit of a living declaration that goes beyond words and takes root in our fields, kitchens, schools and policies. I was reminded of the annual Harare Good Food and Seed Festival and other seed fairs and community events in Southern Africa, where local chefs prepare delicious meals using indigenous ingredients sourced from small holder farmers. These fairs are powerful spaces that showcase the richness of African food and highlight the commitment of SKI partners to securing healthy food systems rooted in locally produced crops and traditions. They also create vital opportunities for sharing knowledge and building solidarity across the continent, reminding us that our strength lies in celebrating and protecting our food heritage together. As SKI, we remain committed to advancing agroecology and farmer-led seed systems while standing in solidarity with smallholder farmers who continue to nourish Africa with their hands, hearts and cultural practices.

NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - For decades, Kenya’s smallholder farmers have leaned heavily on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides to sustain crop yields in the face of erratic weather patterns, invasive pests, and rising food demand. But this reliance has come at a steep cost: depleted soils, contaminated water sources, declining biodiversity, and mounting health concerns for both farmers and consumers. Now, Kenya is rewriting that story—starting from the ground up. In 2024, the government launched the National Agroecology Strategy, a landmark policy framework designed to steer the country toward environmentally sustainable, health-conscious, and socially just food systems. At the same time, counties like Murang’a and Vihiga have taken the lead in implementing local agroecology policies aimed at helping farmers transition from chemical-intensive agriculture to nature-based solutions, including the use of bio-products such as organic fertilizers and biopesticides. Agroecology is more than just organic farming—it is a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles into every part of the food system, from soil health and seed diversity to market access and consumer awareness. Murang’a and Vihiga have crafted county-specific agroecology policies that incentivize the use of bio-inputs, improve extension services, and promote soil and biodiversity conservation. In the central highlands, Murang’a County was the first to implement the policy, which paved way to agroecological innovation. The policy sets clear targets: phasing out toxic synthetic inputs, increasing farmer access to organic fertilizers, and promoting the use of biopesticides for the benefit of human health and the environment. The same is now happening in Vihiga County, in the Western part of the country. “We’ve already started training our extension officers on the use of bio-products,” says Dr Wilber Ottichilo, the County Governor for Vihiga. “We want to build local knowledge on how beneficial microorganisms, composts, and natural pest repellents can work just as effectively—if not better—than synthetic chemicals.” The Governor adds that the county is also supporting farmer groups to produce their own organic inputs like fermented bokashi fertilizers, vermi compost and biopesticides using locally available materials. “This not only lowers input costs but also creates new income opportunities,” he says. The county boss also wants Vihiga residents to diversify their crops, given the small sizes of land owned by individual households. “Our goal is to reverse the damage caused by years of over-reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reliance on growing only maize and beans and give farmers alternative nutritious and also income generating indigenous vegetables and food security crops such as sweet potatoes and cassava,” said Dr Ottichilo One of the campaigns currently in many parts of the country is Healthy Soil, Healthy Food campaign, driven by AFSA to promotes composting, agroforestry, and the use of microbial-based soil enhancers. Through partnerships with NGOs and local cooperatives, farmers are also learning how to prepare and apply organic pest control products. “After switching from chemical inputs to bio-fertilizers and intercropping with legumes, my maize yields improved without harming the soil,” says Moses Omwenga, a smallholder farmer from Emuhaya. “It’s a new mindset, but…

JUBA, South Sudan (PAMACC News) - For the past four years, Emmanuel Atwin, a smallholder farmer in the outskirts of Juba City, South Sudan, has trusted agrochemicals to boost the productivity of his sukuma wiki (collard greens) farm. With regular use of pesticides and insecticides such as Dudu Acelamectin, Atwin believes the benefits of these chemicals outweigh any potential health risks. Acelamectin, which is the active ingredient in the Dudu Acelamectin has been banned for use in several nations abroad. Direct exposure to the chemical can cause skin irritation, ranging from redness and itching to more severe reactions like blisters or ulcerated lesions. "In the beginning, I experienced eye pain and skin itching after spraying," Atwin recalls. "But when I asked the sellers, they told me I would get used to it—and they were right. Seven months later, all the effects disappeared." According to Moses Makokha, a Kenya based medical practitioner, over time, the body and brain can become less sensitive to certain irritants due to repeated exposure. “This is known as sensory adaptation or desensitization, but it doesn't mean the chemicals are no longer harmful—only that the initial acute symptoms (like irritation) may no longer be felt as strongly,” he said. “This is similar to how people working in polluted environments (like factories) who might stop noticing the smell or irritation, but long-term effects such as cancer, liver damage, or respiratory issues can still develop silently,” he added. As well, Atwin might also be experiencing psychological normalization, where harmful effects are downplayed because they become part of everyday life. According to experts, this is common in occupations with chronic exposure to harmful substances—especially when there’s no immediate, visible danger. But the long term impact may be inevitable. According to the farmer, spraying every four days helps him harvest over five sacks of sukuma wiki for sale. Although he occasionally uses a glove or face mask, especially on windy days, he admits that safety precautions are not a routine practice. “I’ve never seen anything bad with spraying my farm,” he says confidently, despite admitting to past discomfort and the lack of protective gear. Agrochemical Sales with No Safety Guidelines Still in the outskirts of Juba City, Sarah Aio, a sales assistant at Kubi Agro Farm Shop, has been selling pesticides for three years. She says the agrochemicals they stock are imported from Uganda and Kenya, with clearance only required from the South Sudan Bureau of Standards. “When I started, I felt disturbed by the choking and irritating smell,” Sarah admits. “But after a few months, I got used to it.” She confirms that the farm shop operates under a renewable certificate, but there are no enforced safety protocols for handling or selling the chemicals. Hidden Risks in the Market Chain Despite the increasing popularity of agrochemicals among farmers, concerns are beginning to emerge across the supply chain—from sellers to end consumers. “We always buy fresh vegetables from these farmers,” says a vegetable trader in Juba. “But we don’t know what…