Perspective: Five reasons to connect the dots for resilient food systems

Co-authors: Judith Jacobs (SNV) Ahmed Sameh, and Nico Janssen, (IKEA Foundation)

Across Eastern Africa, many farmers and agri-enterprises are seeing their harvests and operations suffer as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and degraded soils threaten productivity and livelihoods. Others are turning the tide—using solar pumps to irrigate during dry spells, grow a more diverse mix of crops to be more resilient, restoring soil health through regenerative practices, and unlocking new opportunities to grow, store, and process their produce.

These contrasting realities speak to a larger story: smallholder farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are already finding ways to respond to the compounding pressures of climate change, land degradation, and energy poverty. Yields are rising, soils are holding moisture, and incomes are becoming more stable and resilient—but after five years of working on this transition, these success stories are still the exception, not the rule. In many rural areas, a lack of access to reliable energy continues to limit what farmers and SMEs can achieve, from irrigating crops to processing and storing produce. The challenge now is to make these outcomes the norm, not the outlier.

At this year’s Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), that momentum is further taking shape as a collective effort—one that sees agriculture and energy not as separate challenges, but as interlinked opportunities.

This approach is rooted in the understanding that regenerative agriculture (RA) and the productive use of renewable energy (PURE) are two sides of the same coin. When combined, they unlock the potential to strengthen rural economies and scale sustainable food systems.

Working closely with local partners, our organisations have seen firsthand how the convergence of regenerative agriculture and renewable energy can unlock lasting change. Here are five reasons why this integrated approach is gaining momentum—and why it matters now more than ever.

1. It addresses a deeply connected challenge

Climate change, degraded soils, and energy poverty are stalling rural growth and resilience. In many African countries, over 60% of people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, but just 5% of energy access is directed to the sector.

In Uganda, for example, fewer than 1 in 10 rural households are connected to the grid. Meanwhile, maize yields are expected to drop by up to 10% due to shifting rainfall patterns and declining soil health.

The challenges are connected. The solutions must be too.

 2. It’s about enabling change, not just delivering innovation

Technology alone won’t fix broken systems. What matters is how markets, policies and support systems give farmers and agri-SMEs the chance to make innovation work for them. A shift in mindset is also needed — recognising that energy access becomes a powerful enabler when it responds to real economic opportunities and the priorities of the communities it serves. This includes improving access to finance, aligning incentives, and supporting the voices of farmers and agri-SMEs as leaders in change. By strengthening systems from the ground up, we can create an environment where RA–PURE pathways can scale sustainably.

3. It reflects a shared vision: better livelihoods, healthier ecosystems

Regenerative agriculture restores soil fertility and water retention. PURE powers irrigation, processing, and cold storage. Together, they do more than strengthen food systems—they regenerate hopes and opportunities.

Young farmers, SMEs, and communities are regaining confidence to engage and invest. Regenerative agriculture reconnects many farmers with ancestral knowledge, while PURE creates new economic possibilities. The impact is visible: soil organic matter can rise by up to 40%, and solar irrigation can boost farmer incomes by as much as 50%. These changes are felt in homes, on farms, and across communities.

4. It’s built on collaboration, from the ground up

In Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, promising examples of what’s possible when farmers, institutions, and entrepreneurs work together are emerging. Evidence and learnings are shared. Policies are shaped by those with lived experience. Impact is grounded in local reality.

This approach is more than delivering services—it’s about strengthening systems. It means fostering collaboration, promoting shared learning, and building trust across sectors and communities.

5. It focuses on unlocking systems-level impact

This is about more than short-term gains—it’s about laying the groundwork for long-term, systemic resilience. That means creating the conditions where RA–PURE pathways are no longer the exception but the everyday reality. It means opening up markets and finance so they work for everyone, and strengthening the voice and choices of people who have had fewer opportunities to shape their future.

It’s about ensuring a fair and just transition: where farmers and SMEs can adopt solutions at scale, where local knowledge informs national policies, and where a diverse coalition of changemakers—from grassroots to government—drives collective action. This is what systems change looks like: connected efforts that endure and evolve.