The concept [of agroecology] relates to agricultural production, ecological principles, social impacts, economic performance, food sovereignty, right to food, social justice, governance, addressing thus the whole food system and beyond. Moreover, as noted in (HLPE 2019), agroecology can provide possible transition pathways towards more sustainable farming and food systems. On the one hand, the agroecological approach tends to optimize environmental interactions, to favour the use of natural processes, to limit input imports, to promote resource recycling and use efficiency. On the other hand, it considers the globality of the socio-ecological system around production, in particular improving social relationships between local actors, farmers’ empowerment to conduct changes and to negotiate favourable conditions to develop their activity. In addition, agroecology promotes the use of local knowledge and participatory approaches to improve scientific and technical knowledge through experience (HLPE 2019; Barrios et al. 2020).

Sirdey, N., Scopel, E., Ferrier, G., Khann, L., Ermolli, M. and Paracchini, M.L., Mapping the contribution of agroecological transitions to the sustainability of food systems, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, doi:10.2760/171903, JRC135321.

Source category: EC Technocal Documents

Agroecology is not only the application of ecological principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems by harnessing natural processes. It is also a social movement set to build locally relevant food systems based on short marketing chains that supports diverse forms of smallholder food production and family farming food sovereignty, local knowledge, social justice, local identity and culture, and indigenous rights for seeds and breeds.

Transforming food systems through agroecology: enhancing farmers' autonomy for a safe and just transition. Ceddia, M Graziano et al. The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 8, Issue 11, e958 - e965 November 2024

Source category: Scientific & Technical Literature