In these pages, readers will see how AFSA continued to link grassroots realities with continental and global advocacy. This edition highlights the adoption of the Lilongwe Declaration on agroecology based school and college meals, AFSA’s participation in ICARRD+20 in Colombia, the launch of a major report on the African Development Bank’s role in reshaping African agriculture, renewed calls to centre farmers in regional seed policy processes, and important internal moments of alignment through the AFSA staff retreat, the Citizens Working Group on Agroecology meeting, and the TAFS annual review workshop.

In this interview, Ruchi Shroff shares her perspective on the urgent need to reclaim seeds, restore ecosystems, and transform the way we produce and consume food. She reflects on the challenges facing today’s global food systems and the deeper cultural shift required to build a more resilient and harmonious relationship with the Earth.

Civil organizations warn that, within the framework of the USMCA review, the Secretariats of Economy –headed by Marcelo Ebrard– and Agriculture –headed by Julio Berdegué– are pressuring to prevent the future Regulations of the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food from including the requirement that the agri-food industry inform consumers –through the use of clear front-of-package labeling– when its products include genetically modified organisms (GMOs, popularly known as transgenic organisms), or if highly toxic herbicides, such as glyphosate, were used during their production.

Imagine being told you are no longer allowed to grow potatoes, lentils, beans, or even wheat in your backyard. It sounds absurd — yet this is precisely the kind of restriction that could become European law if ongoing negotiations on seed regulation go the wrong way.

This project will implement regenerative production practices including no- and reduced-till, nutrient management, and soil carbon amendment activities, on a large-scale across cropland planted to fruits and vegetables.