Specific Objectives of the Symposium

The symposium will focus on the following objectives:

1. Identify opportunities, strategies, and challenges for formulating and implementing agroecology policies at national and county levels.
2. Share and advance best practices in soil health, water management, biodiversity conservation, integrated pest management, bio-circular economy, bio inputs, indigenous knowledge, and participatory approaches.
3. Explore financing mechanisms, develop markets for agroecological products, improve certification processes, and facilitate access to agroecological and organic inputs.
4. Strengthen the use of research findings to inform policies, financial mechanisms, and incentives for agroecology through participatory research with farmers.
5. Harness the potential of youth and women to lead and drive agroecology initiatives.

Proposed Focus Areas

1. Policy and Governance:

• Opportunities, strategies, and challenges in the formulation and implementation of agroecology policies at the national and county levels.
• Modalities for incorporating agroecology into national agricultural frameworks and local governance structures

2. Agroecological Practices for Food Security and Climate Resilience:

• Best practices in soil health management, water conservation, biodiversity enhancement, integrated pest management, and bio-circular economy for strengthening climate resilience.
• Scaling up and utilization of bio and organic inputs.
• Participatory approaches in agroecological development.
• Co creation and utilization of Indigenous knowledge.
• Agroecology for food safety, nutrition and right to food

3. Finance and Markets for Agroecology Transition:

• Finance mechanisms for agroecology, including innovative funding models, microfinance, and public-private partnerships.
• Development of local/territorial markets for agroecological produce and the role of certification in ensuring market access.
• Financing/Scaling up production and access, of bio and organic inputs.

4. Scientific Evidence and Innovation of Agroecology:

• Synthesizing existing research to support agroecology policies, financing, and incentive structures.
• Engaging academic and research institutions in generating evidence-based solutions for agroecological challenges.
• Engaging farmers in participatory research in support for Agroecology.
• Improving farmer livelihoods based on evidence approach

5. Women, Youth and PWDs in Agroecology:

• Tapping into the potential of youth and women to drive agroecological transitions.
• Developing tailored training and capacity-building programs to empower women and youth in agroecology.

Expected Results

1. Policy Recommendations:
   Develop actionable policy recommendations for integrating agroecology into national and county-level agricultural policies.

2. Knowledge Dissemination:
   Publish symposium proceedings and best practices to accelerate the adoption of agroecological practices across the country.

3. Partnership Opportunities:
   Establish networks and collaborations among stakeholders, including government, private sector, CSOs, and international partners.

Target Groups

The symposium will bring together over 300 participants and 50 exhibitors from various regions of the Country. Specifically, the participants will include:

• Policy makers and governments, representatives from both County and National governments.
• Organizations and initiatives working towards food systems transformation.
• Farmers and Farmer Organizations
• Civil Society Organizations including consumer associations
• Private sector
• Strategic partners and donor agencies
• Academia and research institutions
• Students
• Media