Politically, 2023 was a turbulent year. The intensification of wars, occupations and climate disasters turned already difficult situations into disastrous ones for many. Corporate concentration of power in the food system continued to be a formidable challenge in 2023, but GRAIN along with partners and allies persisted to stand up for food sovereignty as the true alternative.
This took the form of speaking out against agro-industrialisation in Africa at the Marrakesh counter-summit alongside the World Bank / IMF meetings and an online press conference challenging the Gates-backed AGRA Summit. Site visits to disputed territory in Latin America along with research from corporate databases informed new publications on avocado orchard expansion in Mexico and water grabbing across the region and globally. And together, we campaigned against GM wheat in Brazil and spread awareness about GM mustard in India, where arguments for a moratorium are being heard.
The bright note for us this year was coalition building with peasant organisations, local collectives and NGO support groups. The successful campaign in Benin against joining seed privatisation union UPOV, the dynamic gathering of young farmers in the Mekong region agroecology exchange, and the powerful meetings held in Colombia strengthened our work with partners and allies. This year also brought important transitions internally, starting a new chapter for GRAIN.
Check our 2023 Highlights annual report to learn more, and make sure to follow us throughout the year on social media for new analysis, communiqués from those resisting land grabs, seed privatisation, trade deals and corporate control and updates on political struggles for peasant agroecology and food sovereignty worldwide.