Can agroecology close the loop in Africa’s food systems?

From the newsletter

Farms need nutrients, while markets and food processors across the continent generate organic waste that could help supply them. Agroecology offers a way to connect the two, returning nutrients to farmland while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Scaling this approach will depend on the cost of recovering, processing and distributing organic materials. 

• Prioritising soil health, biodiversity and natural processes, agroecology reinforces ecological principles in farming. It promotes circularity by recycling nutrients and organic matter and finding productive uses for organic waste. 

• A new ActionAid International report links agroecological practices in Kenya to an average 37.8% increase in farm profits, with lower spending on external inputs contributing to improved profitability. 

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