Sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides – policy brief launch at Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference
During the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference in Nairobi on March 25-28, Agroforestry Network launches the new policy brief “Agroforestry and Agroecology – sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides for increased biodiversity and human health”.
Pesticides are important for crop production worldwide and to mitigate post-harvest losses, and many smallholder farmers depend on synthetic pesticides as a solution to crop protection.
However, the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP) and/or overuse and misuse of synthetic pesticides have negative impact on the environment and cause health problems for both farmers and consumers. In particular smallholder farmers are highly exposed to pesticide use.
“It is high time for a shift towards sustainable and resilient farming practices that not only protect crops but also safeguard the wellbeing of farmers and the planet”, says Bo Lager, Senior Policy Advisor for Agriculture at the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Help nature help you – use of environmentally sensitive approaches
Across the globe, smallholder farmers have adopted agroecology and agroforestry as their primary farming methods, which represent innovative ways that, in harmony with nature, provide food and nutritional security.
One notable feature of these methods is the minimal use of chemical inputs – such as synthetical pesticides and fertilizers – and instead promote natural solutions for soil nutrient management, pest, disease, and weed control.
“Agroforestry and agroecology can serve as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and simultaneously build resilient agri-ecosystems, combat climate change, and empower smallholder farmers to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate”, says Monica Nderitu, Regional Environment, Climate Change & Resilience Advisor at Vi Agroforestry.
Agroforestry Network policy brief launch
During the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference with the theme “Harnessing the potential of agroecology in transforming and sustaining resilient agri-food systems”, Agroforestry Network is launching the policy brief Agroforestry and Agroecology – sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides for increased biodiversity and human health.
The launch is taking place during the parallel session “Pesticides in agriculture: Promotion of safer alternatives to conventional approaches in agricultural production and consumption” on March 27.
The session is organised by Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS), SwedWatch, and Agroforestry Network. Representing Agroforestry Network are Monica Nderitu, Regional Environment, Climate Change & Resilience Advisor at Vi Agroforestry and Bo Lager, Senior Policy Advisor for Agriculture at the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
Read the brief Agroforestry and agroecolocy