Agroecology contributes to building a sustainable and resilient food system, including the improvement of food and nutrition security, and can be instrumental to achieve a wide range of environmental, climate, and socio-economic policy objectives.

It is critical to understand where and under which conditions the transition to agroecology is providing positive outcomes to farmers, communities and the wider society.

This section contains key publications on current knowledge on agroecology.

What agroecology brings to food security and ecosystem services: a review of scientific evidence

2024

This knowledge brief – from European Commission DeSIRA LIFT initiative - aims to provide a set of evidence regarding the outcomes and impacts of agroecology. There is a strong theoretical basis and empirical evidence that food security outcomes are as good or sometimes even better for agroecological systems than conventional alternatives.

Agroecology, Responsible Value Chains and Agriculture & Food System Transformations

EC - 2024

This desk review study was commissioned by the European Commission/ DG INTPA to better understand the relationships between agroecology (AE), responsible value chains and agricultural and food system transformations using the Value Chain Analysis for Development (VCA4D) studies as an evidence base.

The objectives were to: 1) Characterise the different types of value chain systems identified in the VCA4D studies; 2) Analyse to what extent applying principles of AE have contributed to the development of responsible sub-chains; 3) Analyse the way in which the markets downstream have contributed to the application of agroecological principles in these cases; 4) Identify conditions to support agroecological transitions of farming systems and value chains. 

Knowledge Review - Increasing agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of fertilisers and soil health

2024

The knowledge review, derived from the analysis of 48 recent publications, offers an overview of the rationale and main challenges associated with enhancing crop production in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, it sheds light on the interplay between fertilisers and soil health in boosting agricultural production.

Natural Farming Through a Wide Angle Lens: True Cost Accounting Study of Community-Managed Natural Farming in Andhra Pradesh, India

2023

Using True Cost Accounting methods, the study compared the economic, social, and health impacts of different farming systems in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. The findings challenge the prevailing belief that chemically-intensive farming is necessary to meet the food production demands of a growing population. The study demonstrates that farms utilizing natural inputs achieved equal or higher yields compared to other systems, with an average increase of 11% while maintaining greater crop diversity.

Agroecologically-conducive policies: A review of recent advances and remaining challenges

Agroecology TPP - 2022

This paper assesses how different policies (consumer oriented; producer oriented; market and food environment oriented; macro and trade oriented; and cross-cutting policies) can affect incentives for agroecology. It provides examples of policies and related actions taken by national, regional and city governments that intend to promote one or more agroecological principles. The assessment reveals that, until now, few countries have embarked on a broad set of reforms with sustained commitments.

Pathways to Advance Agroecology for a Successful Transformation to Sustainable Food Systems

2021

This policy brief – prepared in the framework of the UNFSS 2021- focuses on the conditions for the transition towards sustainable food systems based on agroecology. Four domains of transformation are described - knowledge systems, markets, collaborations and policy coherence.

Delivering climate change outcomes with agroecology in low- and middle-income countries: evidence and actions needed

2021

This policy brief – prepared in the framework of the UNFSS 2021- states that substantial evidence exists for the impacts of agroecology in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) on climate change adaptation. Farm diversification has the strongest evidence for impacts on climate change adaptation. The policy brief suggests scaling-up investments where current evidence is strongest: agricultural diversification, agroforestry and local adaptation.

Can agroecology improve food security and nutrition? A review

2021

In this review, a majority of studies (78%) found evidence of positive outcomes in the use of agroecological practices on food security and nutrition of households in low and middle-income countries.

What is the contribution of organic agriculture to sustainable development? A synthesis of twelve years (2007–2019) of the “long-term farming systems comparisons in the tropics (SysCom)”

FiBL - 2021

Results from long-term comparative farming systems research of FiBL in Kenya, India, and Bolivia reveal that profitability and productivity of organic agriculture can equal conventional production systems. Furthermore, results show additional benefits of organic farming systems in terms of : i) reduction of pesticide residues in soils, crop products and run-off water, ii) higher concentrations of vital elements in food crops, iii) enhanced flora and fauna diversity and abundance, iv) a reduction of non-renewable energy resources used, and v) increased resilience.

Policy recommendations include: i) appropriately incentivising sustainable farming systems, ii) creating market linkages for diversified production, iii) strengthening capacity building and extension services, and iv) increase research in organic systems.

Transformation of our food systems - the making of a paradigm shift

2020

In a new book, Transformation of our food systems - the making of a paradigm shift, 40 international experts set out the highlights and trends in food production since 2009, when the groundbreaking International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report on global agriculture was published. At that time, its 400 authors raised the alarm with the following message: "Business as usual is not an option". A real paradigm shift for agriculture, nutrition and food systems had emerged. Amongst the key elements of paradigm for food and farming systems was the recognition of planetary boundaries and natural scarcities, including rapid climate change and biodiversity loss as well as the scarcity of time left for addressing these issues.
The new book presents the results of 13 landmark scientific reports published over the past decade, and 15 updates on topics not sufficiently covered in the initial IAASTD report.

For the authors, it has been by and large a lost decade. All planetary boundaries, except the ozone layer, are being stressed harder today than ten years ago. Also, despite progress on the part of some countries, chronic undernourishment and hidden hunger, as well as obesity and other food related diseases have actually increased over the past decade.
 
Many scientists and other experts believe that the present decade will be the last chance to keep global warming and global biodiversity loss at an acceptable level for the survival of humankind. The food and agricultural system has become the single most important factor that can deliver fast and sustained results in relation to these challenges. The complexity of food system and ecosystem approaches is being addressed today by an emerging discipline, or rather trans-discipline, of agricultural, ecological, economic and health knowledge.

The new book calls for a radical transformation of food systems, backed-up by a strong political will, able to address power of imbalances and system lock-ins and, participatory democratic processes. Agroecology, healthy diets, and different trade and marketing systems are seen as the main players in this long-awaited food systems transformation.

"This book clearly proves from various perspectives that the agroecological approach is by far the most important and fundamental pathway to ‘build back better’ and to make the shift towards sustainable food systems", says World Food Prize winner and former co-president of the IAASTD Hans Herren.

Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition

HLPE - 2019

The HLPE report, commissioned by the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), has the aim of providing a better understanding of the roles that agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices and technologies can play. It highlights the potential contribution of agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices and technologies to design and implement sustainable food systems that contribute to food and nutrition security.
THE HLPE identifies the following operational principles to shape the transition towards sustainable food systems: 1. improve resource efficiency; 2. strengthen resilience; 3. secure social equity/responsibility.
The report builds on the five phases identified by Gliessman (2007) to move through the agroecological transition towards more sustainable food systems:

increasing input use efficiency;

substituting conventional inputs and practices with agroecological alternatives;

redesigning the agroecosystem on the basis of a new set of ecological processes.

re-establishing a more direct connection between producers and consumers;

building a new global food system based on participation, localness, fairness and justice.

Policy Recommendations on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems that Enhance Food Security and Nutrition

CFS - June 2021

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS), following the publication of the HLPE report “Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems that Enhance Food Security and Nutrition” has issues policy recommendations in order to provide guidance to Members and stakeholders for the transition to resilient and diversified sustainable food systems through agroecological and other innovative approaches.

The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in the Global South

CIRAD-AFD - 2019

Based on long-lasting experience of CIRAD and AFD in promoting agroecology by directly interacting with producers, researchers, development professionals and decision makers in many southern countries, the book gathers the vision on the future of agroecology from 130 experts, focusing on global change and crucial elements to foster the agroecological transition.

Breaking away from industrial food and farming systems: Seven case studies of agroecological transition

IPES-Food - 2018

In the report, seven case studies are presented and analysed, providing concrete examples of how rethinking and redesigning food systems around agroecological principles is possible:

Case study 1. Santa Cruz, California, USA: Turning strawberry monocultures into sustainable food and farming systems through a 30-year farmer-researcher partnership

Case study 2. San Ramón, Nicaragua, and Veracruz, Mexico: Breaking away from industrial com-modity production in Central American coffee-growing communities

Case study 3. Chololo, Tanzania: Rethinking food, farming, forestry and resource management to build an ‘Ecovillage’

Case study 4. Puhan Rural Community, Shanxi, China: Rebuilding community ties as a pathway to cooperative-led food systems

Case study 5. Drôme Valley, France:  Making the radical mainstream and the mainstream radi-cal to build Europe’s first organic region

Case study 6. Vega, Andalusia, Spain: Sustaining transition through changing political winds

Case study 7. Cuba: Turning economic isolation into an opportunity for agroecological transition

The following points have been identified as crucial for driving the transition across the case studies:

Building new community-led governance structures and economic systems between the state and the market;

Developing hybrid roles for key actors;

Forging new alliances across disconnected domains;

Anchoring transitions in counter-narratives and theories of change;

Relocalizing food and farming systems;

Promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing;

Empowering women and young people to drive transition.

Money Flows: What is holding back investment in agroecological research for Africa?

Biovision, IPES-Food - 2020

This report, edited by Biovision, IPES FOOD and IDS, makes the point on funding flows for agricultural research for development (AgR4D) in Africa, on the attitude of major donors and to which extent research on agroecology is supported. 
Results show that the majority of funding available for agricultural research goes to conventional agriculture and marginally to agroecology.
The report includes a series of recommendations to overcome ‘lock-ins’, change the way priorities are set and, accelerate the development and dissemination of agroecological knowledge:

focus on operational elements of agroecology as first steps in a well-sequenced strategy for transformation.

capture the benefits of agroecology by measuring food system outcomes holistically.

build bridges between different parts of the research world.

you can’t teach an old dog new tricks: change must begin in training and education.

shift towards long-term funding models.

give primacy to African research institutions and support bottom-up alliances.

Finance for Agroecology: More Than Just a Dream? An assessment of European and international institutions’ contributions to food system transformation

CIDSE - 2020

The findings of this survey are based on an analysis of 152 projects of the United Nations (UN) Rome-based agencies financed through the EU budget over 3 years (2016-2018) and of the entire GCF portfolio (from its creation until December 2019).

According to the report, approximately 80% of the EU funds channeled through the FAO, IFAD and WFP and 80% of the GCF agricultural money flows are still targeting programmes and projects focusing on conventional agriculture and/or efficiency-oriented approaches (such as sustainable intensification). The report stresses that public money channeled towards agroecology (targeting food system change or the redesign of the agroecosystem as a whole) is insufficient both in quantity and in quality and makes recommendations to increase support for agroecology.

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