Leiden University Student Repository

Bakker, Berber (2023)

The Promises and Perils of Agroecology: A critical review of agroecology and its implications for farmers in Senegal

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

After years of various proposed 'solutions' for agriculture in Africa, agroecology is emerging as the next best thing. While Agroecology began as an international movement countering industrial agriculture, the term is increasingly being used by diverse actors. This thesis critically examines the increased popularity of agroecology in Senegal, which has been proclaimed the leader of agroecological transition in West Africa since 2015 by the FAO. This research found that while the NGOs stay true to the ‘transformative’ interpretation of agroecology, they tend to create indispensable positions for themselves by becoming the ‘middlemen’ between international donors and farmers. The NGOs’ upward accountability and focus on small projects can unintendedly limit the autonomy of the farmer and the potential of agroecology as a countermovement. In addition, the government has co-opted agroecology by publicly claiming to support agroecology, while its actual policies are focused on...Show moreAfter years of various proposed 'solutions' for agriculture in Africa, agroecology is emerging as the next best thing. While Agroecology began as an international movement countering industrial agriculture, the term is increasingly being used by diverse actors. This thesis critically examines the increased popularity of agroecology in Senegal, which has been proclaimed the leader of agroecological transition in West Africa since 2015 by the FAO. This research found that while the NGOs stay true to the ‘transformative’ interpretation of agroecology, they tend to create indispensable positions for themselves by becoming the ‘middlemen’ between international donors and farmers. The NGOs’ upward accountability and focus on small projects can unintendedly limit the autonomy of the farmer and the potential of agroecology as a countermovement. In addition, the government has co-opted agroecology by publicly claiming to support agroecology, while its actual policies are focused on monocultures, large agribusinesses and productivity.Show less

Agroecology

Senegal

NGO interventionism

food sovereignty

sustainable farming

Author

Bakker, Berber

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Africa and French

Supervisors

de Wit, S.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en