Global Alliance for the Future of Food
Earlier this month, our Deputy Director Lauren Baker joined a remarkable convening of agroecological researchers, practitioners, and funders organized by Global Alliance member, the McKnight Foundation. Together, they explored how grounded agroecological research can shape policy, unlock better financing, and shift the narratives driving our food systems.
A few insights from her time at the convening:
🌱 Beyond substitution. Participants were clear—simply replacing agrochemicals with bioinputs or “natural” alternatives isn’t agroecology. Real transformation means redesigning entire systems: territorial planning, living labs, decentralized community and farm-based bioinput production, and the development of circular bionutrient economies.
🤝 Science that serves communities.There was strong momentum around convergence science and important examples of impactful, participatory research—generating evidence with farmers and communities. Participants explored how to best mobilize this evidence for policy change.
⚠️ AI and digitalization—a double-edged tool. Technology can work in the service of agroecological transitions or deepen extractive models. Data sovereignty, farmer control, and protecting Indigenous knowledge aren’t optional—they’re foundational, and there are many examples of this to learn from.