Media Advisory: “No Decision About Us Without Us!”

Leading African Farmer Groups Challenge AGRA Summit Over Corporate Dominance

WHEN: Wednesday, 30 August 2023, 1 PM GMT / 4 PM EAT / 9 AM EDT WHERE: Online. Link to be provided upon registration.

REGISTER HERE

Media Contacts: Kirubel Tadele: kirubel.tadele@afsafrica.org Michael Farrelly: michael.farrelly@afsafrica.org

Speakers Include:

• Susan Nakacwa – GRAIN
• Juma Shabani – Farmer Leader
• Juliet Nangamba – Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB)
• Anne Maina – BIBA Kenya and Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)
• Mamadou Goita – L’Institut de recherche et de promotion des alternatives en developpement (IRPAD)
• Gabriel Manyangadze – Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI)

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and allies invite you to join a virtual press conference for a critical discussion on the forthcoming Africa Food Systems Summit, scheduled for September 5-8 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The annual forum is organized by AGRA, formerly the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

Panellists will shed light on critical issues around Africa’s agricultural policies, namely — the continued failure of Green Revolution programs to alleviate poverty, increase productivity, promote climate adaptation, or feed Africa adequately. They will also highlight the role that Africa’s small-scale farmers play in developing sustainable solutions that advance regional food security. The AGRF event organisers have largely excluded these perspectives, despite their claim to support “regenerative” agriculture and foster “food sovereignty with youth and women at the centre.”

From the panel discussion, attendees will hear how the Africa Food Systems Forum is set to continue steering government policy to favour industrial agriculture, channel public funds to support land grabs for corporate agribusiness, and disregard the integral role of small-scale farmers.

This press conference will feature a moderated panel discussion and a Q&A session for journalists to pose questions to the panel.

Please RSVP here by August 29th to participate. After your RSVP is confirmed, you will receive a Zoom link to the virtual press conference.

The press conference will be held in English and French, with simultaneous interpretation.