The inaugural Agroecology Knowledge Network Workshop

Workshop Report - Creating a South African Agroecology Knowledge Network.pdf

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On the 7th of May 2024, the NRF/DSI SARChI Bio-economy Research Chair at UCT, in partnership with the SKI, hosted a workshop at Mont Fleur Conference Venue in Stellenbosch to create a South African Agroecology Knowledge Network. The workshop was facilitated by Busi Dlamini, a dialogue practitioner focusing on issues of social justice and transformation.

With an initial focus on South African universities, the Agroecology Knowledge Network aims to catalyse curriculum innovation, best practice sharing, transformative research, and strengthened coordination and collaboration across the country. This report summarises the key inputs and action points shared at the workshop. The workshop was attended by 27 participants, primarily from tertiary institutions, as well as others from the NGO sector.

The participants of the inaugural agroecology knowledge network workshop

The participants gathered with the shared understanding that the dominant industrial agricultural model – high external inputs and chemical-dependent production – has significant negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health, animal and human wellbeing, and that a sustainable transition within the agricultural sector is needed. Agroecology is increasingly proposed as a forward-looking response to the problems of industrial agriculture, and it embraces a food system that benefits both the environment and humankind by empowering farmers and enabling them to adapt to climate change, fostering more equitable social relations, improving food and nutritional security, and protecting natural resources and biodiversity.

Transformation towards an agroecological future cannot be achieved without transforming agricultural education, research, policy, and markets. Thus the workshop was held to create an Agroecology Knowledge Network with the aim to catalyse a significant transformation in tertiary curricula and research activities throughout southern Africa, bolstering agroecology research and fostering a paradigm shift in agriculture training and research.

Participants at the first meeting of the Knowledge Network had a rich and frank exchange about how to achieve the objectives of the network. Many remarked on how curriculum change required a paradigm shift in knowledge making to recognise multiple ways of knowing, including indigenous knowledge. Others stressed the importance of systems thinking, and the need to break down disciplinary silos. Inspiring examples were presented on new curricula, both in South Africa and abroad. The importance of systemic change in curricula was emphasised, with caution expressed about maintaining the foundations of agricultural science. Robust discussions were held about research and ways to implement agroecology research in practice. Research gaps were identified, alongside possibilities to enable a more cogent and strategic research agenda. Participatory, long-term research with farmers was observed as a powerful strategy to ensure social impact.

The establishment of the South African Agroecology Knowledge Network is an important step in moving curricula and research in tertiary education towards an agroecological approach. The aspirations and work of this network are not limited to South Africa. Similar approaches are appearing across the world, including a growing network of universities in the US, Canada, UK, South America, New Zealand, and Europe. A similar network has been launched in Zimbabwe, with more to follow in southern Africa. Such efforts will bring agroecology front and centre in classrooms, on farmers’ fields, and in the lived experiences of educators, researchers, students and farmers. In so doing important steps will be taken towards transforming our agricultural education, training and research to support a sustainable food and agricultural system.