Presentation short abstract

Utilising a political ecology lens, this paper explores potentials and drawbacks of using digital technologies to build and share knowledge and practice related to insects in smallholder agroecological farming networks in Southern Africa.

Presentation long abstract

Insects play a critical role in thriving farming systems, but industrial farming is a key contributor to their dwindling diversity. The use of pesticides and land use change are key drivers of this. With their work increasingly mediated by agro-technologies (like broad-spectrum pesticides and genetically modified seed) farmers are losing knowledge about and practices related to insects. Through a political ecology lens, this paper explores the potential of application-based digital technologies in smallholder farming networks to collectively rebuild knowledge and practices related to agroecological pest management. It is interested in whether digital technologies can be used in modes that foster sentience, connection, place-based knowledge, sovereignty and collective change.