As the world continues to grapple with rising food insecurity and malnutrition, the need for sustainable and healthy food systems has become increasingly urgent. The 2025 #WorldFoodDay celebration saw URBANET exploring how #Agroecological principles and indigenous food systems can provide a transformative path toward nourishing communities and creating balance within our food systems.
As part of the celebration, URBANET partnered with Duduhgu to highlight the value of indigenous food systems and sustainable farming practices. Promoting indigenous food systems remains a vital aspect of URBANET’s agroecological principles, and encouraging their production and consumption has become a major focus of our advocacy efforts.
One of the main activities lined up for the 2025 World Food Day celebration was a symposium designed to explore issues of food sovereignty, indigenous seeds, and the impact of science and modern farming on traditional food systems. During a panel discussion, a URBANET representative educated participants on the agroecological principles the organisation applies not only to promote food sovereignty but also to support indigenous farming systems that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and effective in combating climate change.
Another key highlight of the celebration was the Indigenous Food Festival. Local farmers affiliated with URBANET showcased produce from their organic farms, while women farmers shared knowledge on the importance of locally prepared foods. The festival also featured dishes prepared from the very grains grown by these farmers, showcasing the rich variety of traditional meals common in Northern households, their nutritional value, and their deep connection to smallholder farmers.
Through continuous food demonstrations and utilisation programs, URBANET has created a system that introduces smallholder women farmers and aggregators to innovative ways of transforming indigenous foods and farm produce. From learning to incorporate diverse grains and vegetables into family meals to developing value-added products, the organisation is dedicated to reviving sustainable traditional systems that enhance household nutrition and support underserved communities.
This World Food Day celebration offered just a glimpse into the broad range of initiatives and programs URBANET is implementing in its advocacy for agroecology and sustainable indigenous farming. In the coming years, we envision an agricultural sector that produces food to nourish households while safeguarding environmental health and strengthening local livelihoods.