In recent years there have been efforts to develop local, national and even regional policies and initiatives to advance agroecology. An overview presentation from speakers in Sri Lanka, Mexico and the US will share examples of these policies, from successful case studies such as the participatory and democratic food council of Valencia in Spain to the complete failure of the Sri Lankan government to make an overnight shift to organic farming in order to resolve an international debt crisis. We will also explore Mexico’s national initiative to transform its agri-food system through public policy reform. What are the lessons learned and how do we ensure a planned transition process and policies that support farmers’ capacity to build infrastructure?  

In this session, experts and activists promoting agroecology will share their experiences in advocating for public policies and initiatives that support these transitions from pesticide dependence to agroecology and initiatives that offer the opportunity to transform our food systems.