Towards sustainable and eco-responsible food systems in Africa

Africa’s journey toward sustainable food systems is gaining momentum, thanks to initiatives like Young Volunteers for the Environment. Annette Luttah Aluora, Head of Programmes at JVE, highlights how youth-led agroecology efforts are driving resilience and eco-responsible practices across communities.

In recent years, the journey toward sustainable food systems in Africa has gained substantial traction. This shift has been spurred largely by organisations like Young Volunteers for the Environment (JVE), who have spent two decades mobilising young people to protect the environment and improve their communities’ livelihoods. Their initiatives seek to address pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges through capacity building, empowering youth to tackle key issues in sustainable development. Given that Africa’s agricultural workforce comprises 70% young people and 60% women, involving this demographic in sustainable agriculture is not only crucial for food sovereignty but also vital to fostering an eco-responsible approach to production.

In Africa, where soil degradation and climate change severely threaten agricultural output, JVE’s approach focuses on the active involvement of youth and women in sustainable farming practices. By adopting ecological and restorative agricultural techniques, JVE aims to empower communities to meet the continent’s food needs while preserving the environment. At the forefront of this mission is the innovative Your Future Your Climate (YFYC) initiative.

The Your Future Your Climate Initiative
Amid escalating climate impacts, YFYC supports the climate resilience of African communities by promoting agroecology—a model of farming that enhances soil health and ecosystem integrity. Anchored in Grand Kloto, Togo, the initiative honours traditional agricultural knowledge while fostering food sovereignty and ecological responsibility. YFYC’s main focus are equipping young farmers, entrepreneurs, and activists with skills in agroecology and climate resilience; boosting local economic performance through environmentally friendly agricultural practices and establishing an organic fertiliser production unit, managed by youth and women’s associations, to reduce dependency on chemical inputs.

These focus areas equip young farmers, agronomy students, and rural women, with a broader vision of community transformation towards sustainable agricultural leadership. The initiative emphasises practical, hands-on training in areas such as soil restoration, crop rotation, and organic fertiliser production, allowing participants to apply these skills in their communities.

Key activities
The YFYC has implemented several impactful activities such as training workshops where the participants receive education on agroecological practices that improve productivity without harming the environment; community awareness campaigns to sensitize local communities and authorities about sustainable farming’s benefits; multi-stakeholder dialogues with collaborative platforms facilitating discussions on governance and sustainable agricultural policies and Organic Fertiliser Plant Construction, a youth-led facility producing eco-friendly fertilisers, reducing the community’s reliance on chemical alternatives.

These activities provide theoretical understanding and practical application, empowering young people to become environmental leaders and spearhead local resilience initiatives.

Achievements and impact
1. Youth empowerment
Since its launch, the YFYC has directly impacted over 500 young people by equipping them with practical skills to create sustainable agricultural opportunities. Training in techniques like improved fallowing, intercropping, and erosion control has increased yields by 20-30%. These advancements have also spurred a notable shift towards organic farm inputs, reducing the use of chemicals and fostering an understanding of their environmental impact. This shift signifies a growing commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable well-being.

2. Agroecological projects
Agroecology initiatives are becoming a focal point, with several projects inspired by YFYC taking root across the region. The Centre for Studies and Training in Agroecology (CEFA) an affiliate of JVE has trained over 2,000 individuals, setting up school gardens, eco-school programmes, and environmental clubs that inspire youth and raise awareness. Similarly, the Territorial Transition to Agroecological Initiative (TAE) under JVE has embedded agroecology within local governance, impacting over 1.2 million people and catalysing regional policy change. This movement is encouraging municipalities to adopt agroecological practices, creating agroecology-based policies and shaping climate action plans.

3.Community engagement
Community involvement has been integral to YFYC’s success. Local land access has been secured through agreements with authorities, ensuring the community’s commitment. Furthermore, intergenerational dialogues and cultural festivals have connected sustainable practices with traditional values, reinforcing the idea that conservation and cultural heritage are interlinked. As part of this, community-run seed banks and organic fertiliser plants provide a steady income for participants and promote ecological agriculture’s economic and environmental benefits.

4.Personal testimonials
The transformative power of YFYC is evident in personal stories from those involved. Yao, a young farmer, noted the improvement in soil quality and productivity through agroecological techniques: “I am proud when I say my products are organic. In my small way, I am contributing to environmental protection.” YVE staff member Monkou Jaurès echoed this sentiment, adding that the initiative’s youth-led approach fuels optimism for a sustainable future, built by those who will inherit it.

Despite these successes, YFYC has faced challenges, notably with limited funding and policy barriers that allow harmful agricultural practices.

Young Volunteers for the Environment (JVE) is a partner of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN) in Togo, West Africa. As the Learning Centre (LC) of the Western Node, JVE supports ABN’s Sub-Regional Node approach to implementing sustainable activities across the region.