Communique Issued at the Agroecology Conference Organised by Kebetkache, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom - 10th July, 2026

PREAMBLE:

Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, in collaboration with Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), with support from the Tides Foundation, convened an Agroecology Conference on 10th July 2026 at Monty Suites Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, under the theme "Sowing Resilience: Agroecology for Niger Delta Communities".

The conference brought together women farmers, youth groups, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, researchers, environmental advocates, government representatives, agricultural experts, development partners and the media. The conference reaffirmed that agroecology is not merely an agricultural practice but a social, economic and environmental justice approach that restores ecological balance, strengthens community resilience, protects indigenous knowledge systems and promotes sustainable livelihoods.

Group photo showing of participants during the conference. (Kebetkache Photos)

KEY OBSERVATIONS

The conference was observed as follows:

• Industrial agriculture and excessive dependence on synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides are degrading soils, contaminating water bodies and exposing communities to serious health risks.

• Indigenous seeds, traditional farming knowledge and local crop varieties are rapidly disappearing due to the dominance of commercial agricultural systems.

• Women remain central to food production but continue to experience unequal access to land, finance, extension services and agricultural decision-making.

• Young people face limited incentives to participate in agriculture despite enormous opportunities within agroecological value chains.

• Government investment in agroecology remains inadequate despite growing evidence of its environmental, health and economic benefits.

• Food sovereignty cannot be achieved without protecting farmers' rights to save, exchange and improve indigenous seeds.

• Sustainable agriculture must prioritise ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation.

DEMANDS

The conference therefore demands that:

1. Federal and State Governments adopt agroecology as a central pillar of agricultural and climate policies.

2. Governments should halt policies that promote unsustainable industrial agriculture and strengthen support for ecological farming systems.

3. Public investment should be increased for agroecological research, farmer education, extension services, and community seed banks.

4. Immediate actions must be taken to remediate oil-polluted farmlands and restore degraded ecosystems across the Niger Delta.

5. Indigenous seeds, local crop varieties and traditional ecological knowledge be legally protected and promoted.

6. The government should reject policies that encourage the widespread adoption of GMOs without adequate public participation, independent scientific assessment, and the protection of farmers' rights.

7. Women farmers should receive secure access to land, agricultural finance, climate information and decision-making platforms.

8. Youth-focused programmes promoting green jobs, agro-processing, renewable energy, digital agriculture and climate-resilient agribusiness should be expanded.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Community-based demonstration farms should be established to showcase successful agroecological practices.

2. Farmers should be supported to produce and utilise organic fertilisers, compost and biological pest management techniques.

3. Indigenous seed preservation initiatives and community seed banks should be strengthened.

4. Government ministries, research institutions and civil society should collaborate to mainstream agroecology into agricultural education and extension services.

5. Women and youth should be intentionally supported through training, mentorship, grants and market access programmes.

6. Community awareness campaigns should promote healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration.

7. Renewable energy solutions should be integrated into agricultural production to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower production costs.

8. Communities should continue to defend their environment while promoting ecological farming systems that protect both people and nature.

9. Women should continue to be resilient in prioritising food sovereignty and sustainability.

Conclusion

The conference reaffirmed that agroecology represents the most sustainable pathway towards achieving food sovereignty, climate resilience, environmental restoration and social justice in the Niger Delta. Participants resolved to work collectively to restore indigenous knowledge, protect biodiversity, strengthen women's leadership, empower young farmers and advocate for policies that place people, nature and future generations at the centre of agricultural development.

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