Agroecology

In 2008, the authors of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge,  Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report arrived at the conclusion that “business as usual is not an option” to make global food security sustainable. The radical transformation of the existing food and agricultural system that the report calls for was initially given a lukewarm reception by many international organisations. But the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals provided the demands raised in the IAASTD report with new impetus. This edition illustrates the concept and the different definitions of agroecology. In addition, we asked representatives from various institutions – UN Organisations and research institutions, German and Swiss development co-operation, the German Agricultural Society and non-governmental organisations from the Global South – to inform us about which aspects of the agroecological approach they attach particular importance to and how this affects their own activities.

Articles:

• 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