Article by Biovision about getting agroecology officially represented with its own agenda item at the influential African Food System Forum (AFSF).

What if food were a publicly shared good rather than a commodity? This discussion with Dr. Jose Luis Vivero Pol (Université de Louvain) and Dr. Johanna Herrigel (Biovision) examines “food as a commons” as an alternative to market-driven food systems. The event explores implications for sustainability, democracy, and global equity.

At the Nobel Talks during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Biovision President Hans Rudolf Herren explained why agroecology is a central lever for transforming global food systems. He highlighted how industrial agriculture drives hunger, inequality, and environmental damage, and outlined the political and societal shifts required for a fair and sustainable future.

From 4 to 18 November 2025, a three-part public lecture series explores agroecology as a pathway to sustainable food systems. Each Tuesday (16:15–17:15 CET, via Zoom), experts from science, policy, and practice will discuss agroecological transformation and its role in addressing global food and environmental challenges. Speakers include Lutz Merbold (Agroscope), Johanna Jacobi (ETH Zurich), Daniel Seifert (Biovision), and Ruben Baert (agroecology.science).

Biovision reports on a project in Kenya where three MSc students from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe, Nairobi) test push–pull strategies against the tomato pest Tuta absoluta. By examining plants such as rosemary and wild chili that can repel pests or attract natural enemies, and by analyzing social and economic aspects in local farming communities, the project links scientific innovation with practical benefits for smallholder farmers in a developing-country context.