Alimenterre festival in Mayotte explores global agricultural challenges through film and discussion, highlighting food sovereignty and sustainability.
Alimenterre festival highlights food challenges in Mayotte
From October 15 to November 30, the Alimenterre festival is being held in Mayotte, offering film screenings followed by discussions to highlight the agricultural and food challenges faced by the planet and Mayotte. This is the second edition of the festival on the island, organized by the Shama association, which is committed to regional and international cooperation and education on citizenship and international solidarity. Festival promotes global agricultural initiatives
The festival, which has been organized nationally since 2007 by the French Committee for International Solidarity (CFSI), provides a platform to showcase initiatives from different territories and reflect on how they can address the agricultural and food challenges in Mayotte. For this edition, Shama is inviting associations, schools, institutions, agricultural professionals, and residents to participate in the film screenings and discussions. Focus on food sovereignty and modern agriculture
Salim Ali Halidi, a mission officer for territorial animation in education on citizenship and international solidarity at Shama, explained that the festival discusses food sovereignty, how to eat better, and how to live better with agriculture in the modern era. The festival's approach is to use documentaries to open discussions on concrete issues and to highlight initiatives that Mayotte could draw inspiration from. Documentaries cover diverse agricultural themes
The selected films cover a range of topics, including the role of water and forests, agricultural practices, production conditions, and the challenges of more sustainable food systems. To launch this edition, Shama chose to screen Femmes des Terres, a documentary that gives voice to female farmers in France, Togo, and Bolivia. The film highlights how these women come together to defend their activities, gain autonomy, and evolve their roles in the agricultural world. Local discussions compare global and regional experiences
At Doujani, the screening allowed for a comparison of these experiences with the Mahoran situation. Discussions focused on land inheritance and the role of subsistence agriculture. A participant noted that land is often passed down within the family, allowing women to have a home and a plot to cultivate. However, this subsistence agriculture, aimed primarily at meeting the needs of the household, does not necessarily address the challenges of a more structured production capable of supplying the territory. Challenges of attracting young people to farming
Beyond land access, the issue of young people, particularly women, entering the sector is also raised, as the sector remains predominantly male and farmers are aging. How to attract new generations to a profession often seen as difficult and undervalued is a question that came up in discussions. A participant from Togo mentioned the influence of family perceptions, where agriculture is often undervalued and seen as a temporary activity that parents engage in while waiting for their children to achieve a more favorable social situation. This perception may also be present in Mayotte. Promoting cultural exchange through shared meals
The development of agriculture also depends on better recognition of the profession and local products, as well as reflection on production methods to ensure that farmers can live off their work. For Shama, the interest of the festival also lies in its ability to mobilize different audiences. At Doujani, a Togolese and Beninese association was invited to share its agricultural experiences and exchange with Mahoran participants. The meeting was extended with a meal featuring Togolese specialties, aiming to promote dialogue between practices and cultures. Open call for organizations to host sessions
Until November 30, other organizations can also host sessions. Associations, schools, institutions, or professionals interested can contact Shama to select a film from the selection and prepare a screening and discussion session tailored to their audience. The documentaries allow for different topics to be addressed according to the participants' concerns, whether it be water, forests, plantations, or food systems.
