In a world marked by violence and injustice—such as the ongoing genocide in Palestine—May was a powerful month for peasant mobilizations. Across territories, communities advanced their training in peasant agroecology, carried out solidarity actions, and strengthened advocacy for national policies defending native seeds, Food Sovereignty, and life in the rural areas. These local struggles also connected with broader global movements, including preparations for the upcoming Nyéléni Forum, set to take place this September in Sri Lanka. Here are the highlights from around the world.
Southern and Eastern Africa
In Uganda, our member ESAFF Uganda continues to promote agroecology within the country. In May, a group of small-scale farmers had a learning visit to One Acre Farm where they engaged in sessions on soil health management, integrated pest control, and diversified farming systems that ensure food sovereignty while protecting the environment. Small-scale farmers witnessed how agroecology is not just a theory, but a working solution for rural livelihoods and climate resilience. In this context, ESAFF Uganda and Lira University are working together to develop Agroecology Curriculum to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices through education and knowledge transfer.
In Mozambique, UNAC organized a training on processing and nutrition in Moamba District in May to reduce post-harvest loss and ensure long term availability of food. The training project, started in 2022, focuses on nutrition, processing of fruits, vegetables and tubers in Maputo Province, covering peasant farmers from Namaacha, Moamba, Matutuine districts, Manhiça and Magude.
Central and West Africa
Over the past five years, peasant-led innovations in Senegal have led to increased sorghum yields, improved soil fertility, and reduced parasitic infestations in livestock. These outcomes stem from agroecological techniques piloted by CNCR in the communes of Niakhar (Fatick) and Ouarackhokh (Louga), drawing on traditional peasant knowledge. Practices included composting with local plants like neem and khaya, mulching with woody species, and integrating shrubs into animal feed. Building on these successes, CNCR now advocates for the creation of regional training platforms to scale up this fusion of ancestral know-how and local innovation in the fight for Food Sovereignty.
In Mali, on May 28 and 29, the CNOP organized the Peasant Vegetable Seed Fair in Baguinéda. The objective of this event was to deepen the knowledge of local seed dynamics and to highlight the strengths, challenges and opportunities related to the production and use of peasant vegetable seeds. The fair also explored the prospects for the development of these seeds within the country’s agricultural systems and promoted their recognition and value on a national scale. CNOP used this event to showcase the experience of the peasantry and advocate for resilient local seed systems adapted to the agroecological realities of Mali.
Arab and North African Region (ArNA)
In Tunisia this month, MRWL coordinated a solidarity caravan to break the blockade of Gaza, in collaboration with other local Tunisian organizations. The convoy will depart from Tunisia on June 9, traveling overland through Libya and Egypt, with the goal of reaching Rafah. This initiative is part of a larger, coordinated effort that aligns with other international solidarity convoys scheduled to arrive on June 15. The convoy will include participants from all over Tunisia and will be joined by an international delegation from La Via Campesina, reflecting the unity of struggles between peoples, movements and territories.
This action stands alongside the tireless efforts of the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), which continues to mobilize international human rights organizations and defenders of justice to break the blockade. Together, they call for the launch of diplomatic and humanitarian convoys to deliver life-saving aid and end the ongoing siege and genocide in Gaza.
The Mauritanian Farmers Union and the National Federation of the Agricultural Sector (FNSA) of Morocco are working to strengthen the role of youth in their organizations and advance peasant struggles. Recently, the Mauritanian Farmers’ Union brought together youth in Nouakchott to form “The Hope of the Union,” focused on defending farmers’ rights and supporting their causes. Meanwhile, the 5th National Congress of the Youth of the Agricultural Sector will soon open in Rabat under the slogan: “Strengthening the organization is our path to improve the conditions of young people in the sector and contribute to the success of our federation’s strategic plan.”
South America
In Colombia, more than 400 peasant organizations rejected the decision of the National Congress to exclude agricultural workers from the labor reform. They demand fair contracts, social security and support for day laborers. With these slogans and for a reform that dignifies them, they joined the National Strike called for May 28 and 29, together with other popular sectors. They also ratified the need for a popular consultation as a mechanism to guarantee that the people themselves will be the ones to decide on the issues that affect them. They called to be in a state of struggle for the defense of land, health, peace and social justice. They affirmed that they will not allow the denial or postponement of reforms necessary to guarantee a dignified life for the population.
In Peru, the National Agrarian Confederation (CNA), together with other national unions, joined the National Strike called on May 14. It also joined a sit-in on May 13 to demand the dismissal of the Minister of Agrarian Development, Ángel Manero, and the head of the National Water Authority. During the strike, in addition to the demands of the transporters on the issue of hired killings and extortion, the CNA demanded the repeal of Law 32293, which threatens communal property, Legislative Decree 1620 for promoting the privatization of water and its sources, and the completion of the gas pipeline in the Cusco region.
Central America
In Panama, after the massive mobilizations of the last weeks throughout the country, the Government has resorted to the narrative of conspiracy against the democratic order, with the aim of discrediting the protests, minimizing the rejection of Law 462, justifying the excessive repression and the violation of human rights and the Political Constitution. On May 23, social organizations, unions and civil society carried out a multi-sectoral march to the Government headquarters; however, the President, Raul Mulino refused to receive them. On the contrary, a high contingent of national police and riot units refused to receive the list of demands and proposals that would allow a prompt and peaceful solution to the social and political crisis in the country. La Via Campesina called for solidarity and demanded a stop to the repression and criminalization of legitimate protest for rights.
In Honduras, on May 26, the National Agrarian Institute (INA) formally handed over land to groups of peasant women, reaffirming its commitment to the right to land and peasant rights. In this same space will be installed the “Margarita Murillo” Peasant Training School, a political commitment aimed at promoting agro-ecological production and the comprehensive training of women and men linked to Honduran agriculture. This act represents a significant advance in the struggle for agrarian justice and the strengthening of peasant women.
North America
In the United States, on May 1, International Workers’ Day, the Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF), along with allied organizations and local unions, rallied in front of the Orange County Jail in Orlando to demand an end to police detentions of immigrants and Donald Trump’s discriminatory policies, as well as recognition of migrants’ contributions to the local community.
In Canada, on May 22, the National Farmers Union (NFU), held a public assembly to discuss the adverse environmental, economic and social impacts of the Eastern Slope Coal Mining Project and the Alliance Pathway Carbon Capture Pipeline Project, as well as the Trump administration’s highly controversial customs tariffs impacting rural and urban communities. The assembly had as its slogan “Organizing for land and community defense.
Caribbean
In the Dominican Republic, within the framework of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, the National Confederation of Rural Women – CONAMUCA, together with civil society organizations, warned of the serious barriers faced by women in the country in accessing health services as a fundamental human right. According to official data, almost half of the women who died in childbirth were Haitian women or their descendants, a reality that describes the vulnerability of many women about to become mothers. For this reason, women’s organizations demanded the immediate cessation of deportations of pregnant women and demanded full access to health care.
In Haiti, overcoming the harsh national reality, the Mouvement Paysan de Papaye (MPP) held a training on “strategy and methods of organization of farmers” from May 19 to 22 in Sant Lakay Papaye, to strengthen the MPP animation team. The objective was to train students of the School of Political Training “Charlemagne Peralte”, who will continue the work of popular education and create new groups of the MPP in all departments of the center.
Asia
A continental meeting on Seeds and Agroecology was held in South Korea, bringing together 11 member organizations from 10 countries across the region. The conference served as a platform for participants—predominantly peasant women—to share national contexts, exchange experiences in seed protection, and connect their efforts to La Via Campesina’s global campaign- Peasant Seeds, People’s Heritage at the Service of Humanity.
Earlier in the month, peasant organizations in the continent also marked May Day with powerful demonstrations, rallies, and assemblies, demanding justice for rural and agricultural laborers. These mobilizations called for fair wages, secure employment, and land reform.
In other news from the continent, in Thailand, the Assembly of the Poor has urged the government to urgently convene a meeting of the Sirindhorn Dam committee to address the issue of fair compensation and support to restore agricultural livelihoods. The Sirindhorn Dam issue involves long-standing disputes between local communities and the state over the land and livelihood impacts caused by the Sirindhorn Dam, a large hydroelectric project in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Building the dam led to flooding and the displacement of villagers, many of whom were small-scale farmers and fishers. Despite persistent efforts by the Assembly of the Poor to push the government to address these concerns, there has been no significant progress over the past two years.
In Japan, the family farmers’ union Nouminren and other groups held demonstrations outside the Prime Minister’s Official Residence to protest against the tariff pressures from the United States and the threat of agricultural dumping. This follows reports that Japan is considering increasing soybean and rice imports as a concession in trade negotiations with the U.S. over President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
This month in Sri Lanka, LVC members and partners hosted the Global Steering Committee of the 3rd Nyéléni Global Forum to finalize preparations for the September event. The Sri Lankan government has also announced its support for the Forum, and Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, affirmed this commitment during an inspection visit to the National Institute of Cooperative Development (NICD) in Kandy. Mr. Samarasinghe expressed the honor of hosting the conference and confirmed that the government will fully support the event, which will address key issues such as food sovereignty and cooperative development.
Europa
In France, the peasants organized in the Confédération paysanne intensified their actions against the Duplomb Law, a bill that the French Ministry of Agriculture intends to implement in favor of agribusiness. The peasantry described as dangerous this legal initiative, which will destroy life in the countryside, intensify the use of pesticides, build mega-hills and construct ever-larger industrial buildings. The Confederation has announced national mobilizations to continue its denunciations.
In May, the Norwegian Farmers’ Union (NBS) initiated the annual agricultural negotiations with the government, which will shape policy decisions in the months ahead. Central to their demands are increased self-sufficiency, stronger welfare schemes, and a broader commitment to sustainability. As one of Norway’s two main farmers’ unions, the NBS is calling for a reorientation of the country’s food production system—one that strengthens food sovereignty while safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers. Among their key proposals is the establishment of a subsidy framework that promotes self-sufficiency and supports rural communities.