JRC researches on Agroecology

JRC Studies

1. Contribution of Agroecology to Food Security

The JRC has collaborated with CIRAD (Montpellier, FR), ISARA (Lyon, FR), and independent experts to synthesize available scientific information on social, economic, and environmental benefits of implementing agroecological practices in 26 developing countries: The main conclusions include:

A positive contribution of agroecology to food security is reported in at least 50% of the analysed literature: improved yields, availability of more nutritious food, diversified diet, higher resilience to climate shocks, higher income. Information is mostly qualitative rather than quantitative;
Information on agroecology at country level is limited and scattered. Most studies describe agroecological farming practices and very few analyse the economic and social aspects;
Improvement of soil fertility is a major need across the regions, and this directly links to the management of nutrients and organic matter;

This research work is organised in 2 volumes:

Volume 1: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe.

Volume 2: Bolivia, Burundi, Cameroon, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Pakistan, The Gambia, Uganda.

To complement this scientific literature review, 10 case studies have been carried out in 10 African countries to analyse the impacts of the adoption of agroecological practices at grassroots level. The cross-analysis of these case studies reveals two major outcomes: the increase of smallholder farmers’ incomes and improved resilience to climate change.

2. Contribution of Agroecology to Sustainable Food Systems

The broader contribution of agroecology to sustainable food systems is explored in this study. The analysis highlights linkages and potential win-win contribution of agroecology in several food system sustainability dimensions, but empirical studies are still limited.

3. The Socio-economic Performance of Agroecology

This research demonstrates that agroecological practices at the farm level positively impact socio-economic factors, such as increased incomes, higher revenues, enhanced productivity, and improved efficiency.

4) Can Agroecology Support Sustainable Development in Africa?

The study shows that agroecological practices can provide positive social, economic and environmental outcomes across all agro-climatic zones in African countries with high food insecurity. One-third of articles reported benefits to food security, incomes and economic growth, and the environment. 96% of the publications report positive impacts on economic outcomes, in particular on agricultural income or production costs.

The article is coming forth soon in the Journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development.

5) Agroecologcial Practices for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Study coming forth soon.

Case Studies

	Cameroon – Agroforestry Cooperative learning and participatory tree selection and propagation "Due to farmers’ cultural affinity for agroforestry practices, agroforestry has become the most popular method that farmers use to alleviate the effects of land degradation, climate change, and hunger in rural areas."
	Ethiopia – Silvopasture Spreading silvopastural system through farmer exchanges "Goats feed on Ficus thonningii leaves harvested from silvopastoral systems; Its drought tolerance has reduced the water requirements for livestock fodder production by 85%, a critical improvement in such an arid climate."
	Kenya – Push-pull technology Farmer-to-farmer exchanges and field schools to spread push-pull throughout Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania Scientists, together with thousands of Kenyan smallholder farmers, experimented with different approaches to perfect a new low-cost technique of agroecological pest management: push-pull.
	Madagascar - Crop diversification (varietal mixtures), crop fertilization (improved manure) Participatory evaluation of rainfed rice varieties and improved manure The introduction of locally-adapted rice varieties lowered production costs and the risks of crop failure due to climate or disease. As a result, rice production has become more accessible to farmers of varying altitude and socio-economic positions.
	Malawi - Crop diversification, organic fertilization, legume intercropping, plant-based pesticides Participatory approach to spread agroecological practices A participatory approach helped to revalue and share existing agricultural knowledge in farming communities, while encouraging farmer experimentation facilitates the adaption of practices to future social and environmental conditions.
	Niger - Improved fertilization (wood ash and manure), seed balls, crop diversification, legume intercropping, tree planting, crop-tree-livestock Supporting agroecological innovation through participatory research and knowledge and seed dissemination Gender inequity is addressed through equal representation in membership (women make up 52% of FUMA Gaskiya), and targeted participation in research programmes and experimentation. Women notably played an essential role in selecting a millet variety with high potential for pest and drought resistance.
	Nigeria - Crop rotation, mulching and composting, tree-crop integration, crop diversification Revitalizing farmer livelihoods through agroecological management of farms and forests Reforestation efforts with indigenous species improved the local availability of forest products while agroecological farming approaches, applied in combination with improved seed varieties and drip irrigation technology, successfully increased incomes from vegetable production.
	Tanzania - Legume intercropping, livestock and fish farming integration, beekeeping, tree planting, contour ridges and bunds A village territory approach based on a large number of principles of agroecology The project also trained farmers in fish production, further increasing farm-level diversity. Beekeeping and tree planting enhanced biodiversity at the landscape level, increasing both pollinating services and habitat for wild flora and fauna.
	Uganda – Coffee-Banana Intercropping A traditional approach to diversified farming After integrating bananas into coffee fields, women were more motivated to work in the fields, as bananas can be used for household consumption.
	Zimbabwe - Improved crop rotations, companion planting, intercropping, cover crops and composting, integrated pest management, livestock integration The process of building agroecological markets to support farmer livelihoods More farmers sought and received training on agroecological practices and marketing, and formed associations to produce organic horticultural products, certified through the Participatory Guarantee Scheme.