Agroecology

Agroecological approaches involve an alternative paradigm to business as usual agricultural and food systems with different goals, values and mindsets. In July 2019, the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) published a report on agroecological and other innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture for food security and nutrition. The  13 agroecological principles set out in the report have been suggested as a framework to drive food system transformation. The principles are universal, but when applied, through co-creation of knowledge with local stakeholders, generate a diversity of locally adapted practice. They cover whole food system transformation from agroecosystem management to the governance of food systems, including ensuring equity in agency for all actors within food systems from producers through to consumers. Our authors illustrate the concept and the different definitions of agroecology. Representatives from various institutions explain which aspects of the agroecological approach they attach particular importance to and how this affects their own activities.

Articles:

• Wind of change – the growing momentum for agroecological transitions
• Unlocking the potential of agroecological approaches – the Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology
• "Agroecology is the future"
• Simple solutions to complex problems
• The potential of agroecology to build climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems
• Why we need an agroecological revolution
• Agroecology – the most convincing proposal for transforming unsustainable agro-food systems
• IAASTD: From words to actions
• Agroecology – a pathway to achieving the SDGs
• Putting people at the centre of development
• Valuing farmers’ local knowledge
• Healthy food for healthy people on a healthy planet
• Agroecology has to become economical
• A self-correction force: The 10 Theses of the German Agricultural Society
• Why agroecology doesn't scale up
• GMOs in Nigeria – do the masses have a choice?
• Opting for the middle ground – blended sustainability as the way forward
• More inter- and transdisciplinary research needed in agroecology