Deepening the network and creating working groups: the second annual workshop of the SA AEKN

SA AEKN Working Group Workshop Report 2025.pdf

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The South African Agroecology Knowledge Network (AEKN) convened a workshop on the 26th and 27th of May 2025 to identify key themes, research priorities, stakeholders, and existing work across four thematic working groups: Technology, Biodiversity, Seed and Indigenous Crops, and Climate Change. These discussions provided a foundation for shaping the network’s research agenda and highlighted areas of overlap and cross-cutting themes for future collaboration.

Participants at the SA AEKN Working Group Workshop 2025

The Technology Working Group focused on defining “appropriate” technologies within an agroecological framework. Discussions explored farmer-centred innovation, mechanisation, citizen science, and the role of both production and post-harvest technologies, including digital tools. The group noted the need for mapping and scoping studies to understand what technologies are being used by agroecology farmers and how innovation can be better aligned with agroecological principles.

The Biodiversity Working Group identified a wide scope of thematic areas, including wild edible plants, pollinators, wetlands, medicinal plants, fruit trees, and nutritional biodiversity. Preliminary research questions spanned policy, markets, livelihoods, education, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), as well as trade-offs and benefits of biodiversity within agroecological systems.

The Seed and Indigenous Crops Working Group addressed the tension between corporate and farmer-managed seed systems, while highlighting seed saving mechanisms, biopiracy, and legal frameworks. Priority research topics included the protection of indigenous seeds and knowledge, the role of extension services, the development of equitable local markets, and the challenge of moving away from maize-dominated food systems.

The Climate Change Working Group examined the possibility of agroecology as a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy, carbon dynamics, biodiversity linkages, and climate-related policy instruments such as carbon taxes and credits. Priority research topics included climate resilience through agroecology, the need for greater research capacity, and the importance of translating climate science into accessible knowledge for communities.

Across all groups, several cross-cutting themes emerged, notably the central role of policy analysis, the importance of markets and livelihoods, the contribution of IKS and farmer-led participatory research. Economic dimensions, including incentives for practice change and valuation of indigenous crops, also surfaced as critical areas for further work. Participants highlighted the importance of building narratives to counter disinformation, destigmatise indigenous crops, and clarify shared understandings of agroecology. Collaboration across groups—for example, using technology to monitor biodiversity and climate change—was identified as a key opportunity, alongside the need to map and disseminate existing research.

Finally, each working group committed to concrete next steps. These include the development of concept notes and background papers, the establishment of pilot sites, and the drafting of work plans to guide activities.