For Christine Nabwami, a small-scale farmer from Uganda, the invitation to COP16 in Cali, Colombia, was a chance to represent voices often left out of global biodiversity discussions. Standing alongside advocates and policymakers, Christine brought the stories and struggles of Uganda’s small farmers to the world stage, determined to show how their traditional knowledge and farming practices are indispensable to conserving biodiversity.
Under the theme Making Peace with Nature, COP16 aimed to tackle biodiversity loss with a renewed sense of urgency. Christine zeroed in on two key goals: fair benefit-sharing (Goal 3) and recognizing indigenous knowledge (Goal 8J). These goals resonate with small-scale farmers in Uganda, who often serve as the primary custodians of biodiversity. “As farmers, we hold a wealth of knowledge in our traditional practices,” Christine shared passionately, “and our way of farming is part of the solution.”
Christine recognized farmers especially those from indigenous backgrounds as co-creators in agroecological processes. “These farmers possess invaluable knowledge about local ecosystems and sustainable farming techniques that can contribute significantly to regenerative agriculture. Their involvement ensures that food systems are not only productive but also resilient and culturally appropriate,” She added.
Christine’s involvement at COP16 was multifaceted. Alongside ESAFF Uganda, she participated in side events, press briefings, and food sovereignty discussions. These platforms allowed her to challenge industrial agriculture's role in biodiversity degradation. “Industrial agriculture has a heavy toll on our environment,” she said, pointing to its use of chemicals and mono-cropping. She shared how ESAFF Uganda’s advocacy materials highlighted this issue, and she was proud to see $400 million pledged to support biodiversity initiatives, emphasizing that this funding must be channeled to local communities.
Christine also became a vocal advocate against genetically modified crops, a contentious issue at COP16. “There was a strong call for us to embrace our ancestral seeds, which we know are safe and nutritious,” she explained. Many delegates shared her concerns about the risks of GMOs, and Christine took every opportunity to push for policies that protect food sovereignty through biodiversity-friendly farming practices.
Compensation for communities affected by biodiversity loss was another theme Christine addressed. With the finance committee’s push for a global fund, Christine was hopeful that Ugandan farmers impacted by climate change could receive support. “Our communities are hit by floods, droughts, and other climate shocks. We need the world to see that their survival depends on fair compensation,” she emphasized.
But Christine didn’t stop at advocating for Uganda alone. She joined hands with other indigenous groups to rally against carbon credits, a scheme that, she argued, often fails to support local people. Instead, Christine called for “real solutions that respect our ways of life and give local people a stake in conservation.”
An especially bold step in her advocacy was championing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP), even though it wasn’t on the conference’s agenda. Christine introduced UNDROP in her discussions, urging leaders to recognize it as a framework for protecting small-scale farmers. “We are at the heart of biodiversity. We need rights over our seeds, our land, our water,” she stated firmly.
Reflecting on COP16, Christine was especially moved by the support for community-led conservation. Uganda’s Agroecology Hubs and Agroecology Living Labs (ALLs), she noted, offer shining examples of how participatory governance can work. Christine called on Uganda to adopt its own National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs), ensuring that indigenous communities are partners in these efforts.
To her fellow small-scale farmers who are also recognized as indigenous communities, Christine sent a message of solidarity: “Your work is seen and valued worldwide. Keep farming in ways that regenerate our land.” She further narrated that indigenous communities have long practiced forms of agriculture that align closely with the principles of agroecology. Their traditional knowledge systems emphasize harmony with nature, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. Indigenous farming methods often incorporate polycultures growing multiple crops together, which enhances resilience against pests and diseases while improving soil fertility. As for COP organizers, her message was clear: “Let’s go beyond promises. COP17 should be about action.”
Christine Nabwami’s journey at COP16 showcases the vital contributions of small-scale farmers in biodiversity conservation. Her advocacy echoed not only the pride of a farmer from Uganda but the collective strength of communities who are determined to protect the planet for future generations. Through her voice, Christine brought a hopeful yet powerful call for a fairer, more inclusive approach to saving our natural world.
Christine Nabwami is a small-scale farmer leader from Mityana district. She is the Chairperson of ESAFF Mityana, a Facilitator and a Campaigner.
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