By Omali Phiri, ZAAB
Like many young people, I once saw farming as a last resort rather than a livelihood. It felt disconnected from my ambitions and the life I imagined for myself. That perspective changed when I became part of the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI) Youth Thematic Working Group.
Through SKI I have discovered that agroecology is far more than a way of farming. It is a way of transforming degraded landscapes into productive landscapes. I have also learned that agroecology is a movement and through my engagement with SKI partners and participation in regional events I came to understand that it strengthens the relationship between people and nature.
Over the years I have been inspired by SKI champions such as Mr. Royd Michelo and Kanangwa NewLove in Zambia. Their passion and leadership in agroecology and food sovereignty movement sparked my interest in promoting agroecology and motivated me to work with young people in and out of school and within my community to advance agroecological knowledge and practice.
Working alongside farmers, especially elders, deepened my appreciation for Indigenous knowledge, farmer led seed systems and the importance of intergenerational learning. While interacting with them I came to understand that seeds are more than grains; they are our identity, culture, and also have a spiritual importance. Community seed and food fairs inspired me to advocate for farmers’ rights and revival of the lost indigenous seeds in my community.
Through SKI and its partners’ support, I have participated in national, regional and international dialogues on agroecology, indigenous seeds and food systems conferences. These opportunities showed me that young people have a place in shaping policies and influencing the future of our food systems. With this experience I am leading the Policy and Advocacy Strategic Objective under the SKI Youth Thematic Working Group with the aim of encouraging young people to actively participate and articulate youth-related issues such as access to land and participation in decision-making within policy spaces at all levels.
One particular experience is when I participated in the AFSA Youth Summit in Addis Ababa in 2024. It is an experience I will always share with fellow young people as I had the opportunity to engage with high-level policymakers from across the continent, participate in panel discussions and share and exchange indigenous seeds at the SKI seed exhibition. Since then I have become an active member of the AFSA Continental Youth Working Group.
Today, I am no longer just a participant but a facilitator, mobiliser, storyteller, and advocate, working with young people in Africa to promote agroecology and inspire collective advocacy action. Although challenges such as limited access to land and resources remain, I believe young people hold the key to transforming agriculture in the continent.
“Today, I see agroecology as much more than a farming practice. It is a movement committed to protecting farmers rights, caring for the environment, and reviving the lost indigenous seeds.”
– Omali Phiri
