Cultivating Resilience Through Agroecology: Insights from CBD COP17 Side Event

Yerevan, Armenia - Agroecology is a is a transformative pathway toward sustainable agri-food systems that connects food security, biodiversity conservation, and seed sovereignty toward the empowerment of farming communities.

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Last October 29, SEARICE joined "Agroecology in Motion: From Vision to Action," a CBD COP17 side event organized by the Agroecology Coalition in Yerevan, Armenia. Drawing on experiences from Southeast Asia, SEARICE Executive Director Normita Ignacio highlighted agroecology as a a bridge between food security and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

At the heart of this transformation is farmers' empowerment. Through Farmer Field Schools, community seed banking, crop improvement, seed exchanges, and learning farms, farmers strengthen their capacity to conserve agricultural biodiversity.

However, agroecology cannot thrive through farmers' efforts alone. Addressing institutional barriers and governance issues requires multi-stakeholder partnerships that bring together farmers' organizations, research and academic institutions, local governments, civil society organizations, and other key actors. Breaking institutional silos is essential to advancing agroecology across communities and institutions.

Transforming agri-food systems also requires supportive policies. Ignacio emphasized the need to engage policymakers and relevant government agencies in advancing policy reforms and national programs that support smallholder farmers and agroecology.

For SEARICE, cultivating resilience through agroecology means empowering farmers, strengthening partnerships, and transforming policies to build sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems.

Photos from: Agroecology Coalition and Chiaki Hamaguchi