KPCG Advancing Agroecology from Counties to Global Climate Spaces

The Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG), working with civil society organizations, farmer networks, and county stakeholders, continues to strengthen agroecology as a pathway for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems. Through a series of engagements at county, national, and global levels, KPCG has been contributing to policy dialogue, farmer capacity building, and advocacy efforts that place agroecology at the center of climate action in agriculture.

At the county level, KPCG and its partners convened multi-stakeholder workshops in Machakos and Bungoma, bringing together civil society organizations, smallholder farmers, faith-based actors, researchers, and county government representatives. These engagements focused on exploring agroecology, climate finance opportunities, and carbon market safeguards as pathways to strengthen resilient food systems while ensuring that climate solutions respond to the realities faced by communities on the frontlines of climate change.

“Our goal as KPCG has been to ensure that agroecology is not just discussed at policy level but understood and embraced by the communities who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods,” says Faith Ngige, Coordinator of the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance. “Through these engagements, we are creating spaces where farmers, civil society, and policymakers can collectively shape the future of climate-resilient agriculture.”

In Bungoma County, the workshop served as a key platform for consolidating the voices of farmers and civil society actors into practical policy inputs. Participants discussed the progress of the Bungoma County Agroecology Strategy and emphasized the importance of aligning county efforts with national climate frameworks such as Kenya’s Climate Change Act and the National Agroecology Strategy.

Through these discussions, CSOs and farmer representatives developed a memorandum capturing priority areas including soil regeneration, crop diversification, reduced dependence on synthetic inputs, and stronger safeguards in agriculture-related carbon markets. The memorandum was submitted to the county government and has contributed to the development of the Bungoma County Agroecology Strategy, which is currently at the cabinet level for consideration.

Reflecting on the process, Faith Ngige notes that strengthening farmer voices remains central to KPCG’s approach.

“Farmers are already practicing many agroecological solutions. What KPCG is doing is ensuring that these practices are recognized, supported, and integrated into policy frameworks so that climate action in agriculture truly reflects local realities,” she explains.

In Machakos County, the engagement focused on initiating a pathway toward agroecological transformation. Agriculture remains a lifeline for the majority of households in the county, yet the sector continues to face growing challenges from climate variability, droughts, soil degradation, and water scarcity.

Through a multi-stakeholder workshop convened in collaboration with Act for Change Trust, the Catholic Diocese of Machakos, and other partners, participants explored how agroecological practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and crop diversification can help restore ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods.

Following the engagement, partners developed and submitted a position paper to the County Executive Committee Member and the Chief Officer for Agriculture. The paper calls for the domestication of Kenya’s National Agroecology Strategy (2024–2033) at the county level and proposes the development of a Machakos County Agroecology Strategy to guide policy, investment, and coordination.

According to Ngige, these county engagements are critical for ensuring that national strategies translate into local action.

“Counties are where implementation happens. By supporting counties like Machakos and Bungoma to integrate agroecology into their planning frameworks, we are ensuring that climate solutions are practical, inclusive, and sustainable,” she says.

The county-level dialogues were complemented by a national workshop held in Nairobi, which brought together civil society organizations, farmer networks, policymakers, and technical experts to examine agroecology as a comprehensive pathway for climate action in agriculture.

The forum explored how agroecology can contribute to Kenya’s engagement in global climate processes, particularly under the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Implementation of Climate Action on Agriculture and Food Security. Participants also discussed the linkages between agroecology, climate finance, and economic justice, highlighting the need for community-led adaptation indicators and safeguards within carbon market initiatives affecting agriculture.

“Agroecology is not only about farming techniques. It is about justice, resilience, and transforming food systems in ways that protect both people and ecosystems,” Ngige emphasizes. “Our work as KPCG is to ensure that these perspectives are reflected in national and global climate conversations.”

These national and county efforts have also informed advocacy in global climate spaces, including discussions around agriculture and food systems within international climate negotiations. Civil society partners have continued to amplify African perspectives on agroecology, emphasizing the role of farmer-led adaptation, equitable climate finance, and the protection of community rights in climate-related agricultural initiatives.

One notable development from these advocacy efforts was the inclusion of agroecology in draft negotiation discussions related to agriculture and climate change processes. Although it did not ultimately appear in final resolutions, its recognition in technical discussions signaled a growing acknowledgement of agroecology as a credible pathway for sustainable agricultural transformation.

For Ngige, such developments underscore the importance of sustained civil society engagement.

“The progress we are seeing today is the result of consistent advocacy and collaboration. By linking local experiences with national policy dialogue and global processes, we are gradually building recognition for agroecology as a key solution to climate challenges in agriculture,” she notes.

The engagements in Machakos, Bungoma, Nairobi, and beyond illustrate how coordinated action across different levels can strengthen agroecology as a cornerstone of climate-resilient food systems. By supporting farmer capacity, influencing county policy processes, and contributing to international climate discussions, KPCG continues to advance a vision where agricultural transformation is rooted in sustainability, equity, and community leadership.