http://www.fao.org/africa/events/detail-events/en/c/330741/ Presentation of David Amudavi from Biovision Africa Trust, describing the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative on mainstreaming EOA into national agricultural production systems, policies, and practices by 2025. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the Regional Symposium on Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa, held in Dakar, Senegal on 5-6 November 2015. © FAO: http://www.fao.org

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MAINSTREAMING ECOLOGICAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (EOA)
INITIATIVE IN AFRICA’s POLICIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES
David Amudavi
Biovision Africa Trust
Nairobi, Kenya
Regional Meeting on Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa
5-6 November 2015, Hotel King Fahd Palace – Dakar, Senegal

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 Small scale farmers accounting for 70% of the agricultural labour
and 25% to GDP of their countries dominate agriculture
production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
 Small scale farmers are core to ecological organic agriculture
(EOA) and Agroecology - practise diversified crop and animal
production systems.
 EOA is seen as genuine to climate smart agriculture, agricultural
biodiversity, food safety, increased land productivity, etc.
 Getting structures and institutions in place to drive the agenda
and practice of EOA (and Agroecology) is fundamental.
 Ongoing efforts with the EOA initiative are worth sharing.
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JOURNEY OF THE EOA INITIATIVE

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Overall Goal: To mainstream EOA into national agricultural
production systems, policies, and practices by 2025 in order to
improve agricultural productivity, food security, access to
markets and sustainable development in Africa.
Vision: Vibrant Ecological Organic Systems for Enhanced Food
Security and Sustainable Development in Africa.
Mission: To promote ecologically sound strategies and practices
among diverse stakeholders in production, processing, and
marketing through strategic actions and policy making to
alleviate poverty, guarantee adequate and healthy food
security, improve livelihoods and safeguard the environment.
ECOLOGICAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (EOA)
INITIATIVE

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AU DECISION IN SUPPORT OF EOA-I
Following the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture (CMA) held in Lilongwe,
Malawi on 28-29 October, 2010, and a resolution made in line with the African
Sustainable Ecological Agriculture Production Systems the African Union policy
organs, the Executive Council at its meeting on 24-28 January, 2011 passed a
decision on supporting organic farming which was endorsed by the African Union
Heads of States and Government - EX.CL/Dec.621 (XVIII):-
The Executive Council
1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture held in
Lilongwe, Malawi on October, 28 and 29, 2010 on Organic Farming, and
ENDORSES the Resolution contained therein;
2. EXPRESSES concern over the current practice of exploitation of organic farmers in
Africa;
3. REQUESTS the Commission and its New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) to:
Initiate and provide guidance for an African Union (AU)-led coalition of
international partners on the establishment of an African organic farming
platform based on best practices; and
Provide guidance in support of the development of sustainable organic
farming systems and improve seed quality;
4. CALLS UPON development partners to provide the necessary technical and
financial support for the implementation of this Decision;
5. REQUESTS the Commission to report regularly on the implementation of this
Decision.
Source: African Union Commission (www.africa-union.org/Decisions)

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AU DECISION IN SUPPORT OF EOA-I
• It should be pointed out that this decision by the
Executive Council of the African Union is the first
high-profile political endorsement of organic
farming in Africa.
• The prominence that organic farming is enjoying
in recent years in Africa can be firmly traced to
this decision.
• The decision has also emboldened actors and
practitioners of organic farming in Africa to seek
their rights and increase their active participation
in various levels of research, development and
markets.

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AU DECISION IN IMPLEMENTATION
A serious deliberation and planning
workshop organized by PELUM-Kenya, BvAT,
NOAMs) and AUC with support from the
Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
(SSNC) was held in Thika, 2-3 May 2011.
The special session resulted in:
• Adoption of Ecological Organic
Agriculture (EOA) concept.
• A concept note and later proposal
(Project Document) on EOA.
• An Action Plan adapted by the African
Union Commission for implementing the
AU Decision on organic agriculture.

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BASIS OF ECOLOGICAL ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE (EOA) INITIATIVE
• Focus on production systems that sustain the health of
soils, ecosystems and people – Consistent with unified 4-
H paradigm (human, animal, plant and environmental
health).
• Relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles
adapted to local conditions, rather than the excessive
use of external inputs with adverse effects to the 4-H.
• Draw on science, innovation, tradition and movements
to benefit the shared environment and promote fair
relationships and quality of life for all involved.
• Considers the agro-ecosystem in all its diversity.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE EOA INITIATIVE
1. To increase documentation of information and knowledge on
organic agricultural products along the complete value chain
and support relevant actors to translate it into practices and
wide application.
2. To systematically inform producers about the EOA approaches
and good practices and motivate their uptake through
strengthening access to advisory and support services.
3. To substantially increase the share of quality organic products at
the local, national and regional markets.
4. Strengthen inclusive stakeholder engagement in organic
commodities value chain development by establishing national,
regional and continental multi-stakeholder platforms to
advocate for changes in public policy, plans, programs, and
practices.

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KEY STRATEGIC FOCUS OF THE EOA
INITIATIVE (PILLARS)
1.Research, Training and Extension:
Aims to build up the body of
scientific knowledge supporting EOA.
2. Information and communication:
Communicate information/knowledge on EOA
to a vast majority of stakeholders.
3. Value Chain and Market Development (VCMD): Stimulate development of
sustainable markets and increase trade in traditional and high value agricultural
produce both at domestic and export levels within EOA.
4. Networking and Partnerships: Promote
engagement by relevant stakeholders
including governments, farmers, civil
society, private sector, and the
international community.
5. Policy and Programme Development:
Support the development and
implementation of enabling policies
and programmes.
6. Institutional Capacity Development: Support and
equip professionals with skills and competences to
promote EOA in Africa.

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Certification bodies
Civil Society
Research Networks
PrivateSector
Farmers’
Organisations
RECs
Development
Partners
AfroNet
EOA Implementation: Mainstreaming EOA in…
 …Policies, Strategies, Investment Plans
 …Standards, Certification
 …Research(agenda, methods)
 … Training (curricula &programs)
 …Extension(practices, information/communication)
 …Markets, Value Chains
Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in Africa
CLO in other
countries
Country Lead
Organisations
National EOA Platform
Public Sector
Government
Civil Society PrivateEnterprises
Research &TrainingAdvisory Services
Farmer Organizations
Consumers
Project Implementing
Organizations
Centresof
Excellence
(Research, Training,
Extension, Information
& Communication,
Value Chains & Market
Development
Regional EOA SC
Continental EOA Steering Committee –
Chaired by the Africa Union
Commission
EOA Secretariat

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BUILDING BRIDGES AMONG STAKEHOLDERS
National Platforms – Country based
 Multistakeholder representations
 National Steering Committees
 Country Lead Organizations & Partners
Regional Platforms – Regional Clusters
 Multistakeholder representations
 Regional Steering Committees
 Currently Eastern and Western Africa clusters
 Southern Africa cluster is on course
 Potential platforms- Central Africa and North Africa
Continental Platforms – Linking with African Union (AU)
 Multistakeholder representations
 Continental Steering Committee chaired by AUC
Global Platforms – World wide – linking with IFOAM & others

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Participating Countries:
• East Africa – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania & Ethiopia (supported
by both SDC and SSNC)
• West Africa – Nigeria, Senegal, Benin and Mali (SDC supported)
Portfolio of Financial Support & Coordination:
 SDC’s Global Programme for Food Security (2014-2018) –
Coordinated by Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)
 SSNC-SIDA support (2013- 2015) – Coordinated by PELUM
Kenya
 EU – support to trainings in Organic Standards, Certification
Systems and Marketing and Continental Steering Committee -
AUC
THE ON-GOING EOA INITIATIVE PROGRAMME IN
AFRICA (2013-2018)

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EOA SDC Supported Countries

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Country Country Lead Organizations (CLO’s)
Mali Mouvement Biologique Malien (MOBIOM)
Nigeria Association of Organic Agriculture
Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN)
Benin Béninoise pour la Promotion de
l'Agriculture Biologique (OBEPAB)
Senegal National Federation for Organic
Agriculture (FENAB)
PARTICIPATING CORDINATING COUNTRY PARTNERS

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Country Country Lead Organizations (CLOs)
Kenya Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN)
Ethiopia Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD)
Uganda National Organic Movement of Uganda
(NOGAMU)
Tanzania Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement
(TOAM)
Kenya PELUM Kenya (SSNC Contribution in Eastern
Africa)
PARTICIPATING CORDINATING COUNTRY PARTNERS-
Cont’d

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• Rolling out of EOA Initiative in 8 African countries following a
successful pilot in 2012-2013 coordinated by PELUM Kenya and BvAT.
• Structures and institutions for coordination, networking,
experiencing sharing, institutional capacity strengthening,
advocacy, etc. -
• Continental Steering Committee (CSC)
• Regional Steering Committees (RSC)
• CLOs and Pillar Implementing Partners (PIPs)
• National Steering Committees (NSC)
• EOA Continental Strategic Plan (2015-2025) and Action Plan
(2015-2020) developed & going through AU approval structures.
• Ongoing country efforts of integrating EOA in agricultural policy.
SUMMARY OF KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

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The Continental EOA Steering Committee (CSC)

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OVERSIGHT BY THE CONTINENTAL EOA STEERING COMMITTEE
Meeting Country Hosting
the Meeting
City Date
First
(Planning)
Senegal Dakar 8-9 August 2012
Second
(Launched)
Ethiopia Addis Ababa 23-24 October 2013
Third Benin Cotonou 26 August 2014
Fourth Tanzania Arusha 20-22 May 2015
Fifth South Africa Johannesburg 7-10 December 2016

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• Greater focus on smallholder agriculture and environment
• Widen support for institutionalization of EOA (and agroecology) in
national policies, plans, and programmes:
• Informed by sufficient empirical evidence and successful cases
• Informed by consequences for various options (need tools for this)
• Leverage on complimentarities and synergies (NO competition!)
• Support capacity building of farmers, organizations and networks
• Strengthen coordination among implementing partners
• Engage with national champions and societal affiliations
• Planning, monitoring and measuring impact of initiatives aided by
authentic tools such as the T21 model for policy making
• Encouraging standard documentation and sharing for experiences,
best practices, lessons, etc. Consider a society for AE/EOA?
• Increase resource support to the initiative(s) on long-term basis.
• Increase spatial coverage to other regions (now only Eastern Africa
and West Africa).
MAINSTREAMING OF EOA (AND AGROECOLOGY) IN
AFRICA IN PUBLIC POLICIES

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THE BvAT BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUPPORTING THE
EOA INITIATIVE IN AFRICA
Andreas Schriber –
Trustee & Chair
Prof. Judi Wakhungu
Trustee
Prof. Christian Borgemeister
Trustee
Prof. Onesmo ole-MoiYoi
Truxstee
Dr. David Amudavi
Director, Ex-Officio

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• African Union Commission (AUC)
• Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC)
• Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
(SSNC)
• FAO for enhancing global focus agroecology
• Biovision Foundation for ecological development
• icipe-African Insect Science for Food and Health
• CLOs and Partners
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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www.eoa-africa.org
damudavi@biovisionafricatrust.org
http://biovisionafricatrust.org
THANK YOU