day, new technologies are being conceived, designed, and implemented rapidly, without space to consider the implications and consequences for farmers. Farming communities are often forced to decide whether or not to adopt tools that were created far from their fields and without their input. How do we reclaim and reassert our voices, perspectives, and values through our own stories?
Agroecology and Peasants’Seeds
Historical Challenges for Peasant Movements around the World
Joao Pedro Stedile provides an analysis of the historical contribution of the peasant movement in the last 30 years and it’s significance for the working class, peasantry and humanity. He also provides the future challenges facing the movement and the need to confront fascism and conservative media outlets.
Peasant Agroecology Schools: Amritabhoomi Learning Centre and farmer-to-farmer learning exchanges
The Amrita Bhoomi Learning Centre in Karnataka is one of dozens of education hubs around the world providing a space for farmer-to-farmer training in agroecology. The centre was born out of organising efforts of the local farmers’ movement KRRS (Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha) founded by Professor Mahantha Devaru Nanjundaswamy.
Women small-scale farmers demand equitable access to and control over agricultural resources
ESAFF Uganda Women participated in the 5th Women in Agriculture Conference, an annual event that empowers small-scale women in agriculture. Women as primary producers and custodians of our food systems are committed to ensure their contributions are valued and recognised but face numerous challenges.
Kenyan Court Extends Ban on GMOs, Defers Hearing
The High Court has extended the ban on GMOs in Kenya and the hearing deferred to February 2024 for further directions on how to proceed and pronounce final determination of the petitions. Kenyan Peasants League and other petitioners are challenging the lifting of the ban on GMOs in Kenya.
La Via Campesina Stands in solidarity with Kenyan Peasant League in the struggle against GMOs
La Via Campesina stands in solidarity with the Kenyan Peasants League in their legal struggle to continue the ban on GMOs in Kenya. In October 2022 the Kenyan Government lifted the ban on importation and cultivation of GMOs that had been in place for ten years.
For an answer to global hunger, look to peasants, not multinational corporations: NFFC, USA
The UN Food System Summit was taglined as the “People’s Summit”. In fact, the opposite is true. From its onset, the UNFSS and its ongoing events have been led by those beholden to agrochemical corporations and economic forces that do not serve the interests of people and the planet.
VIDEO: Life inside an MST landless workers’ settlement in Brazil
For nearly 40 years, Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) has been fighting the concentration of landownership among the country’s elite through the direct occupation and settlement of fallow lands. Now a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission, which has been set up to investigate the activities of Brazil’s Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST), actually seeks to divert focus from illegal actions committed by agribusiness.
Japan’s Food Sovereignty is under threat. The Japanese Family Farmers’ Movement (Nouminren) calls for a structural rethink
The Basic Law on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas in Japan, the most important legislation in the agricultural sector, is currently under review by the Japanese government. Alarmed at the threat to the country’s food sovereignty, the Japan Family Farmers Movement (Nouminren) has presented a proposal advocating for a departure from the neoliberal food and agricultural policies that have been in place.
Defending peasants’ rights to seeds and genetic resources, against the biopiracy
The International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty’s (IPC) Working Group on Agrobiodiversity is in Rome this week to enhance the functioning of the Multilateral System, and to fight the private interests that try to get rid of their obligations as set by the FAO Plant Treaty 20 years ago.