𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 || 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏𝟔 - 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐀. 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞
In this episode of The Battle for African Agriculture, Dr. Million Belay speaks with Tim Wise
@TimothyAWise, Senior Research Fellow on global food policy at Tufts University and author of the influential book Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food. Wise’s work documents how the “Green Revolution” model, built on commercial seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and industrial farming, has repeatedly failed to support the very small-scale farmers who feed most of the Global South. Drawing on decades of research in Mexico, India, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya, he explains why governments continue to back expensive, ineffective high-input systems despite clear evidence that locally driven, low-cost ecological approaches perform better. “Corporate power dominates the policy sphere,” he notes, showing how agribusiness interests, donors, and philanthropies shape agricultural policy while rural communities remain trapped in hunger.
The conversation examines AGRA, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, created in 2006 by the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations. Wise reflects on his landmark study revealing that AGRA did not double yields or incomes as promised, and that food insecurity actually increased in several countries where AGRA programs were concentrated. Despite billions in investment, Wise concludes that “the model is failing on its own terms.”
The episode also highlights hopeful examples of resistance and renewal. Wise recounts Mexico’s powerful struggle to protect native maize from GMO contamination, a fight that led to a ban on GMO maize cultivation and even a constitutional amendment safeguarding this cultural and ecological heritage. He draws parallels with crops like teff and enset in Ethiopia, emphasizing the cultural and environmental importance of indigenous varieties.
In closing, Tim points to agroecology as a proven, scalable alternative already improving yields, restoring soils, lowering costs, and strengthening climate resilience. “The alternatives are everywhere,” he says, offering a compelling vision of an African food future rooted in sovereignty, ecological integrity, and farmer-led solutions.
Listen to the full conversation on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and across all our social media platforms.
Subscribe. Share. Engage.
YouTube
youtube.com/watch?v=mWnFSclD…
Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/6Za…
Apple Podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…