Agroecology as key for the future: building local economies in East Africa 25 May 2021
The positive impact of agroecological practices and their environmental, socio-cultural, health and economic benefits is highlighted in three interesting case studies from the “Building Local Economies in East Africa through Agroecology” project, funded by the Agroecology Fund and launched by Slow Food in collaboration with its local networks in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Slow Food project which ended in February 2021, was led by local networks in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Throughout 18 intense months of activities, the Slow Food network supported the development of agroecological food systems as key to future food security, improving knowledge and communication on agroecology and including agroecology in policy frameworks.
Leader, Global Food Practice, WWF International
Joao Campari has over 25 years of experience in international development. Currently, Joao is Global Leader of WWF s Food Practice, leading the Network´s efforts to enhance the sustainability of the global food system, including nature-positive production, sustainable diets and reduction of food loss and waste. Prior to WWF, Joao held the position of Special Environmental and Sustainability Advisor to Brazil´s Minister of Agriculture. Joao has held technical and executive positions in multilateral and bilateral agencies (World Bank, UNDP and DFID), in the federal government of Brazil (Ministry of the Environment) and has advised national and sub-national governments (in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay) on the design and implementation of regional development policies, combining socio-economic rural development with conservation. For thirteen years, Joao worked for The Nature Conservancy as Program Director in Latin America, E
The author (second from right) with his wife and two children.
My father’s estate was settled during the COVID-19 pandemic, not long before police killed George Floyd. My dad wasn’t among the economic elite but for many racial justice protestors, that might be splitting hairs. Along with some money, there was a rambling house in East Hampton with a heated pool in which my kids learned to swim. My wife and I thought to put most of the inheritance aside for our children’s (and fingers crossed, grandchildren’s) education and down payments on future homes, the kinds of things my father ― a generous caretaker who grew up poor during the Depression ― did for my brother and me.
From Kenya: the Ogiek honey Slow Food Presidium 23 December 2020
The
Ogiek are indigenous people who live in and around the Mau Forest on the southwestern side of the Kenyan Rift Valley and in the forests around Mt. Elgon along Kenya’s north-western border with Uganda. The entire Ogiek belief system and livelihood relies on the forest and its resources, with honey being the most important product and a staple food for Ogiek families.
Honey has always played a key role in various Ogiek cultural practices, is traded with neighboring communities and was also used to pay the dowry. In the past,