Senegalese women lead agroecology revolution through local farming

In the heart of Casamance, a lush region in southern Senegal, a quiet revolution is unfolding. For over three decades, Mariama Sonko has championed the economic empowerment of women through sustainable agriculture and agroecology. As the president of the pan-African movement Nous sommes la solution (We Are the Solution), she unites more than 800 associations across eight West African nations in a shared mission: to reclaim agricultural sovereignty through local seed preservation and women-led farming practices.

Born to a farming family in the village of Niaguis, Mariama’s journey began with a simple yet powerful realization: women, despite their critical role in food production, faced systemic barriers to land ownership and access to quality seeds. ‘Growing up, I witnessed the struggles women endured just to secure a piece of land,’ she reflects. ‘This injustice fueled my determination to change the narrative.’

breaking barriers, reclaiming land

Mariama’s resolve only strengthened after her father’s passing, a tragedy that left her mother to single-handedly support ten children. ‘My uncles insisted I marry young, claiming a woman’s place was in the home,’ she recalls. ‘But adversity only steeled my resolve.’ At just 19, she defied expectations by securing a plot of land with a group of women—only to face expulsion three years later. Undeterred, she set out to own land herself. After a decade of relentless effort, she achieved her goal: a 3-hectare experimental farm near Ziguinchor, cultivated without pesticides and using only local seeds. Today, thirty women work the land, and over a hundred have opened individual bank accounts, saving and reinvesting in their economic futures.

‘Watching these women build financial independence and launch secondary ventures fills me with immense pride,’ Mariama shares. ‘This is the power of collective action.’ Her farm serves as both a model and a training ground, demonstrating how agroecology can restore degraded soils while ensuring food security.

a movement for food sovereignty

Mariama’s vision extends far beyond her farm. The Nous sommes la solution movement, which she leads, has grown to include 800 associations across ten West African countries, empowering nearly 200,000 women—many of whom are illiterate. ‘When I’m with these women, I see progress everywhere,’ she says. ‘Their resilience is our greatest strength.’ The movement advocates for policies that prioritize local seed banks, reduce dependence on multinational agribusinesses, and ensure women’s access to land and resources.

‘Food sovereignty isn’t just about growing food—it’s about reclaiming our identity,’ Mariama asserts. ‘If we don’t organize ourselves, we risk losing our autonomy, even on our own soil. That’s why we’re rebuilding seed capital, the foundation of African life and sovereignty.’ Her work is a testament to how grassroots initiatives can transform communities, one seed and one woman at a time.