Yesterday was a milestone - the establishment of an agroecology knowledge network for tertiary education institutions and research organisations in South Africa. Inspiring to engage with this committed and passionate group who support a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable.

Stephen Greenberg of ACB presenting on the policy context for #agroecology research and curricula in South Africa #AgroecologyKnowledgeNetwork meeting.

Prof Raymond Auerbach is at the agroecology knowledge network meeting presenting on the potential to produce good food without destroying the environment, with a look at the health, social and environmental benefits of #agroecology

Ethel Phiri from Stellenbosch University shares lessons from their masters programme in sustainable agriculture, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary teams and ensuring capacities for systems thinking to break out of silos for #agroecologytransitions

Linus Franke talking about the types of knowledge that students need when learning about #agroecology , to ensure the knowledge is useful to farmers in their local context.

Mvu Ngcoya of UKZN sharing experiences of experiential #agroecology learning and urges that 'we need to open up the epistemic commons' for system transformation.

Today we are at Mont Fleur in Stellenbosch for our #agroecology knowledge network. Our Morgan Lee shared a scoping review of agroecology curricula around the world to inspire #agroecology courses in South Africa.

Panel calls for support for small-scale farmers practicing #agroecology and to not pressure or coerce them into industrial monoculture

Panelists highlight the importance of community seed banks for food security, especially in climate-related crimes #climatechange

#agroecology includes creative use of appropriate technologies by small-scale farmers

To fix the food system, David Fig calls for land reform, women's land rights, inclusion of youth in agriculture, agroecological extension, and climate-friendly technologies

Corporate capture responsible for problems of the #foodsystem including negative health & environmental outcomes, says David Fig

Lizzie Shumba of Soil, Food & Healthy Communities (SFHC) reports on the quality & adaptability of farmer-saved indigenous seed, through community seed banks & seed fairs.

Dr Bulisani Ncube shares research on how seed aid can disrupt farmer seed systems & may not support #foodsecurity and calls for #seedsovereignty #agroecology

Mugovu Walter Nyika of ReScope reminds us that traditional #africanfood is diverse & nutritious, & traditional small-scale farming is sustainable #agroecology #foodsystems

Mugove Walter Nyika of ReSCOPE talking about the failures of the health, unsustainable industrial food system, especially in times of crisis #agroecology

Nelson Mudzingwa of Zimsoff commends UCT for engaging in research on #agroecology

4 key messages from African Perspectives on Agroecology 1. #agroecology works, 2. Inappropriate philanthropy & aid damage farmer seed systems, 3. Support for agrobiodiversity transformation beyond maize, 4. Relationality & different knowledges are key.

Prof Rachel Wynberg giving a history of how the book, African Perspectives on Agroecology came about & the importance of shifting the narrative on #agroecology

The book launch is kicking off now. African perspectives on agroecology at UP Javett Centre #agroecology