The difference between agroecology and regenerative agriculture is the deep social change we need in the food and agriculture system. As Laura Ortiz Montemayor told us once “ecology without social justice is just gardening”. Million Belay, who leads the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, the largest social movement on the African continent, is very clear stop intervening with agriculture on the continent, stop imposing all kinds of rules, practices, seeds, inputs etc, which don’t serve in this context (and we could argue in the context we come from as well, how many European banned pesticides are exported to the continent?)
We talk about the shut down of the USAID which was actually a good shock to the system. And finally donors, which unfortunately dictate quite a bit the direction, are talking and slowly also acting around agroecology. We discuss how through lobbying they managed to get many countries to adopt agroecology policies in the last few years, what Million would do with a billion dollar and what his message for investors is.
This episode is part of The African Regenerative Frontrunners series is supported by Rootical and co-hosted by The Organic Guy.
What does it really takes to transform agriculture across the continent? This is a ground-level, systems-level conversation: from compost to policy, from local knowledge to global markets, and from youth opportunity to the hard questions about donors and corporate control.
We dig into how concentrated power and ultra-processed food shape policy and health, and why real change requires farmer-led research, authentic participation, and coherent food policy that bridges agriculture, water, trade, and health. You’ll hear how Kenya’s counties are moving from strategy to budget to implementation, how Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda are advancing agroecology, and why AFSA is betting on country-level social movements to sustain momentum.
We also explore the investor lens: rising demand for healthy, chemical-free food, the risks of top-down capital, and where a billion dollars could create hope and jobs- on processing, packaging, marketing, and waste-to-value- while keeping value rooted locally. Along the way, Million shares concrete farm outcomes: year-round food from diversified systems, the spread of composting, and inventive nutrient loops such as insect-based cycles.
The caution is clear: as big institutions adopt the language of agroecology and food sovereignty, definitions can be hollowed out.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGROECOLOGY AND THE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE MOVEMENT
Million explains that while both movements share goals of reviving land and agriculture, agroecology places a distinct and critical emphasis on the social and political dimensions of food systems, framing it as a necessary social movement.
“The difference between the regenerative and others probably is emphasis; agroecology emphasises social movement. It criticises our understanding that the problem that we have in the food system is not a technical problem.” — Million Belay
WHY THE SOCIAL PART IS SO CRUCIAL AS PART OF AGROECOLOGY
He argues that transforming the food system is impossible without building social movements, as power is concentrated among few actors, policymaking excludes communities, and solidarity across movements is essential for change.
“We cannot change our food system without a social movement.” — Million Belay
HOW REGEN AND AGROECOLOGY ARE GROWING
Million observes a significant shift where major institutions, funders, and governments are now adopting the language of agroecology, signalling its growing influence and the movement’s momentum, despite risks of co-option.
“Now, agroecology – people are saying ‘agroecology, agroecology’. Why? As I said, most of the external issues have come back, and they’re talking about agroecology. All the terms: climate, agriculture, conventional agriculture, conservation agriculture, and organic agriculture. Everything is changing into agroecology now.” — Million Belay
HOW THE USAID SHUTDOWN WAS A GOOD SHOCK FOR THE SYSTEM
While acknowledging the human cost, Million views the withdrawal of USAID funding as a potentially positive jolt, forcing a re-evaluation of over-dependence on external actors who have historically influenced African policies against local interests.
“So, it’s a good shock into the system also.” — Million Belay
“So many of the policies in Africa are influenced by the USA (…) they do influence a number of policies. For example, UPOV 91, and one thing that was coming from those podcasts, from my interviews with experts in the field, during bilateral relationships, is the acceptance of UPOV 91 is put there, an acceptance of agrochemicals. So, this is an agent of the US government, an agent of so many US companies that we Africans don’t want…” — Million Belay
WHY THERE IS TOO MUCH INFLUENCE ON THE CONTINENT FROM OUTSIDE
Reflecting on his journey into food systems, Million expresses profound shock at the degree to which external narratives and policies dominate African agriculture, undermining local agency and solutions.
“And, yeah, the level of influence that we’re experiencing from all over that is… it shocks me. Still, it shocks me.” — Million Belay
OTHER POINTS DISCUSSED
Koen, Brian and Million also talked about:
- Investing in youth and food systems
- Danger of co-opting agroecology
- Value of traditional African food.
LINKS:
LINKED INTERVIEWS:
- Omoke Brian – The African Regenerative Frontrunners with The Organic Guy
- Laura Ortiz Montemayor – Ecology without social justice is just gardening
- Joachim Ewechu and Hannes Van den Eeckhout – Why Uganda is the best place for a locally owned regenerative agriculture revolution
- Edie Mukiibi – From a small farm in Uganda, disillusioned by hybrid seeds and agrochemicals, to leading a global movement for good, clean and fair food
- Nettie Wiebe – We have become monocultural in our fields and minds
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The above references an opinion and is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice.