Imagine a world where East African farmers thrive, their sustainable practices fueling regional trade and food security. That's the vision driving a recent gathering in Jinja, Uganda, where stakeholders united to champion agroecological cross-border trade. But are current trade practices actually helping, or hindering, this vision?
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), a powerful pan-African network uniting farmer organizations, civil society groups, and social movements, is leading the charge. They see food sovereignty, ecological agriculture, and agroecology as the bedrock of sustainable development for the entire continent. Think of it as a movement towards farming that respects the environment, empowers local communities, and ensures everyone has access to healthy, culturally appropriate food.
Recently, smallholder farmers, traders, civil society organizations, and policymakers from across East Africa converged in Jinja. Their mission? To map out a new path for regional trade—one built on justice, sustainability, and, crucially, ecological integrity.
The outcome of this pivotal meeting was the "Jinja Declaration on Advancing Cross-Border Trade for Agroecological Produce." This declaration serves as a powerful call to action, urging transformative changes to make cross-border trade within the East African Community (EAC) truly inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Under AFSA's coordination, representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) came together to forge this unified declaration. It's a testament to their shared commitment to strengthening regional integration through trade systems that prioritize smallholder farmers, women, youth, and indigenous communities. The goal? To place them squarely at the center of economic growth and food sovereignty.
The declaration boldly asserts that Africa's resilience and food sovereignty are inextricably linked to its people's heritage, its seeds, and its soils. Agroecological trade, the participants emphasized, honors this deep connection by prioritizing the needs and knowledge of farmers, women, youth, and indigenous communities in shaping both local and regional economies. It's a bottom-up approach, focusing on empowering those who are most directly involved in producing our food.
Delegates passionately argued that agroecological practices, rooted in biodiversity, climate resilience, and traditional knowledge, offer Africa a viable path to reduce its reliance on food imports and regain control over its own food systems. This isn't just about economics; it's about reclaiming cultural heritage and building a more secure future.
The declaration also celebrated the growing policy support for agroecology within the EAC. It recognized the tireless efforts of smallholder farmers, traders, and the vibrant territorial markets that sustain livelihoods through dignity, innovation, and solidarity. These markets are more than just places to buy and sell; they are hubs of community, knowledge sharing, and resilience.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the increasing recognition of agroecology's immense potential, participants at the Jinja meeting highlighted numerous persistent barriers that continue to hinder its progress across the region. Are these barriers simply logistical challenges, or do they point to deeper systemic issues?
High tariffs, a tangled web of fees, and stifling bureaucratic bottlenecks were repeatedly cited as major obstacles, significantly driving up trading costs for small-scale producers. Persistent Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), which can include anything from overly complex regulations to discriminatory practices, and complicated certification processes, particularly those related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards, further disadvantage smallholder farmers. And this is the part most people miss... Women farmers, who often lack the resources and support to navigate these regulatory hurdles, are disproportionately affected.
Delegates also pointed to fragmented institutional mandates, inadequate infrastructure (such as a critical lack of cold storage and aggregation facilities), and weak traceability systems that erode consumer confidence and limit market access.
The declaration made it clear: these challenges are not merely technical hiccups; they are deeply rooted structural and political issues stemming from unequal power dynamics and the dominance of industrial agriculture. This is a bold statement, directly challenging the status quo.
Therefore, the participants called for justice-oriented policy reforms designed to empower smallholders and traders, build equity within regional markets, and ensure a fairer distribution of opportunities and resources. This is about leveling the playing field and creating a trade system that benefits everyone, not just a select few.
While critical of current trade barriers, the declaration remains optimistic about the region's potential for transformation. It acknowledges the growing political will among EAC member states to strengthen inclusive trade frameworks and advocates for aligning regional trade and agricultural policies with agroecological principles.
The participants envision a future characterized by thriving territorial markets, stronger cross-border collaboration among smallholders, and the establishment of regional certification systems that recognize and actively promote agroecological products. Imagine a system where consumers can easily identify and support sustainably produced goods, knowing that they are contributing to a healthier environment and a more equitable economy.
The statement further highlights the potential of One Stop Border Posts and ongoing trade reforms to streamline small-scale trade, while also encouraging collective action throughout the region.
Commitments and the Way Forward
The Jinja Declaration outlines a comprehensive set of commitments to guide governments and regional actors toward realizing an inclusive agroecological trade system. It's a roadmap for change, offering concrete steps to build a better future.
It calls for the complete elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers and the streamlining of customs procedures to facilitate seamless cross-border trade.
It also emphasizes the urgent need to establish dedicated market spaces and facilities for agroecological produce at both local and regional levels. This means creating infrastructure that supports sustainable agriculture, rather than hindering it.
Delegates passionately urged governments to scale up Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and strengthen traceability mechanisms that can build consumer trust and market confidence. PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems that involve farmers, consumers, and other stakeholders in verifying the integrity of agroecological products.
They also stressed the importance of enhancing the capacity of producer and trader associations for collective marketing, learning, and advocacy. This is about empowering farmers to organize and advocate for their own interests. Furthermore, they called for investing in essential infrastructure like cold storage, logistics, and public infrastructure to support agroecological enterprises.
In addition, the declaration advocates for promoting financial inclusion through regional currency harmonization and equitable mobile money systems, supporting the mutual recognition of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards across EAC partner states, and integrating agroecology into trade, climate, and agricultural policy frameworks at both national and regional levels.
The Jinja Declaration is a powerful call to action, urging the East African Community, partner states, civil society, and regional economic actors to unite in building a trade system rooted in fairness, ecology, and solidarity.
AFSA and its partners emphasize that advancing agroecological trade is not simply an economic strategy; it is a moral and ecological imperative for Africa's sustainable future. This is a statement that could spark debate, as some may prioritize economic growth over ecological concerns.
By centering smallholder farmers, strengthening grassroots networks, and promoting environmentally sound practices, the movement aims to ensure that regional integration benefits both people and the planet—laying the foundation for a food-secure, resilient, and sovereign Africa.
So, what do you think? Is agroecological trade the key to a more sustainable and equitable future for East Africa? Are the barriers identified in the Jinja Declaration insurmountable, or can they be overcome with political will and collective action? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
