Agriculture in Action: SAN Members Advancing Climate Resilience and Regenerative Agriculture (14-20 September)

From pest resilience in cassava to ecosystem recovery in Spain, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) members showed a strong collective focus last week on building resilient agricultural systems, fostering local innovation, and defending the rights of nature and communities. Their actions reflect SAN’s strategic priorities—supporting biodiversity, empowering local communities, and driving regenerative, climate-smart agriculture.

Defending Crops, Empowering Farmers

Pest and disease management emerged as a central concern. CABI led with science-based action, spotlighting the fall armyworm’s economic threat to maize in Zambia and the devastating effects of cassava brown streak disease across Africa. Their solution lies in sustainable biocontrols such as neem oil and predatory mites. At #AgriTech2025, CABI also promoted the BioProtection Portal, a digital tool supporting farmers with access to low-risk alternatives to chemical pesticides.

Their consultation in Trinidad & Tobago reinforced regional cooperation to tackle phytosanitary challenges in the Americas, while their Nairobi workshop emphasized the need to boost Africa’s research capacity for pest and disease management. These efforts align with SAN’s goal to scale nature-based solutions through knowledge sharing and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The workshop was developed with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service - Kephis, AU-IAPSC and Euphresco, and explored how to enhance collaboration for phytosanitary research in Africa. Read more here.

Towards Regeneration: Symbolic and Practical Action

Rainforest Alliance unveiled a new certification seal for regenerative agriculture, signaling stronger market alignment with practices that heal soil, restore biodiversity, and boost climate resilience. The organization also shared the story of San José de Guaviare in Colombia, where smallholder farmers once caught in conflict are now restoring forests by cultivating Amazonian fruits without deforestation. These examples reflect how market transformation and local stewardship can work together to build sustainable rural economies.

Photo by Rainforest Alliance.

Fundación Global Nature, meanwhile, partnered with Spanish public touristic enterprise Paradores to restore fire-impacted landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula. They showcased post-crisis landscape management as part of ecosystem recovery, and how it can be mixed with local tourism to involve neighbors into the recovery process.

Fundación Pachamama continued to demonstrate how regenerative development is both ecological and cultural. Their Pacha Emprende program showcased the mentors working with Amazonian bioentrepreneurs to strengthen their brands. Their Sabores que Conservan initiative connected traditional agroforestry with gastronomy and tourism, strengthening ancestral food systems.

Traceability and Sustainability in Supply Chains

CottonConnect participated in a session on integrated traceability, answering key questions from brands, retailers and suppliers. Discussed subjects include GIS-tagging and digital tools that enhance credibility in cotton supply chains. The session emphasized that regenerative agriculture must be verifiable, especially for global buyers seeking reliable sustainability data.

Preferred by Nature engaged stakeholders across three sectors—coffee, cocoa, and rice. They promoted updated sustainability frameworks, announced their participation in the World Coffee Innovation Summit, and shared risk assessments for Ecuador’s cocoa sector, which supports over 400,000 farming families. Their updates demonstrated how certification and supply chain transparency underpin climate resilience and ethical trade.

Agroecology and Advocacy

Fundación Natura Colombia shared strategies at Colombia’s national ecology congress to strengthen community involvement in environmental governance. RAAA Perú brought attention to smallholder advocacy. At a regional agroecology meeting, they shared practical experience on crop rotation and cultural food practices like purple corn. They reinforced the call for food sovereignty led by rural communities in the Andes.

Conclusion: Collective Action for Systemic Change

Last week’s activities show the strength of SAN’s member organizations to address system-wide challenges with local solutions. From traceability in cotton to nature-based pest control, their efforts are moving agriculture toward regeneration, equity, and resilience.

To stay informed on how SAN’s network drives change across continents, follow our channels and explore member initiatives making agriculture part of the solution.