The Battle for African Agriculture Podcast || Episode 6 Peter Gubbles

In this enlightening episode of Battle for African Agriculture, Dr. Million Belay is joined by Peter Gubbels, a veteran champion of agroecology and food sovereignty in West Africa. Drawing on decades of work across the Sahel with Groundswell International, Peter unpacks how colonial histories continue to shape the region’s agricultural policies, land use, and governance. From distorted food systems to degraded ecologies, he traces the deep scars left by colonialism—and shows how post-colonial aid and development models often reproduce these injustices under new names.But Peter’s message is far from despairing. He shares powerful examples of grassroots communities reclaiming agency through agroecology, restoring degraded lands, reviving traditional knowledge, and asserting political voice. The episode explores how farmer-led organizing and bottom-up governance can break cycles of dependency, challenge extractive development, and usher in a truly African vision for food sovereignty. Grounded in experience and rich with insight, this conversation offers vital lessons for the entire continent and anyone committed to transforming food systems from the ground up.