English (en) | Change Language

Agroecology is a scientific discipline, a set of practices and a social movement. As a science, it studies how different components of the agroecosystem interact. As a set of practices, it seeks sustainable farming systems that optimize and stabilize yields. As a social movement, it pursues multifunctional roles for agriculture, promotes social justice, nurtures identity and culture, and strengthens the economic viability of rural areas. Family farmers are the people who hold the tools for practising Agroecology. They are the real keepers of the knowledge and wisdom needed for this agenda. Therefore, family farmers around the world are the keys elements for producing food in an agroecological way.   ---- FAO Agroecology & Family Farming



  1. 2017-12-12 Conference Proceedings The 6th Biennial ECHO Asia Agriculture and Community Development Conference Editors’ Note In an effort to expand the dissemination of technical materials and best practices presented during this year’s ECHO Asia Agriculture & Community Development Conference, the ECHO...
  2. 2020-04-14 In East Africa, agricultural practices to maximize production have greatly diminished biodiversity, reducing the functioning of ecosystem services valuable to human and landscape health. Primary research about the impact of avian biodiversity on crop production in maize fields in Arusha, Tanzania...
  3. How do organic farmers benefit from biodiversity? Biodiversity fights pests, improves soil, and increases food security. Kilomohai Training Materialshttp://www.kilimohai.org/kilimohai/training-materials
  4. Agroecology is a scientific discipline, a set of practices and a social movement. As a science, it studies how different components of the agroecosystem interact. As a set of practices, it seeks sustainable farming systems that optimize and stabilize yields. As a social movement, it pursues...
  5. Many farmer experiences with new technologies and promising crops stay just that, experiences, and promises. Implementing and scaling up technologies requires evaluation. Here we highlight a resource called the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), developed by the Food and...
  6. The global food system is at a crossroads. Agriculture must meet the challenges of hunger and malnutrition – against a backdrop of population growth, increased pressure on natural resources including soils and water, the loss of biodiversity, and the uncertainties associated with climate change....
  7. 2010-12-20
  8. Maintenance of biological diversity and nutrient cycling mechanisms are global principles that are common to all agroecosystems and therefore essential in the design of sustainable agricultural systems. Regional or site-specific factors include climate, soils and socio-economic preferences and...
  9. Agroecology is a holistic approach to farming which takes into account social, environmental, and health concerns of food production. A long-term participatory research project with smallholder farmers in Malawi and Tanzania using agroecology will be discussed. In this research project, farmers...
  10. 2017-11-15 Agroecology is a holistic approach to farming which takes into account social, environmental, and health concerns of food production. A long-term participatory research project with smallholder farmers in Malawi and Tanzania using agroecology will be discussed. In this research project, farmers...
  11. The global food system is at a crossroads. Agriculture must meet the challenges of hunger and malnutrition – against a backdrop of population growth, increased pressure on natural resources including soils and water, the loss of biodiversity, and the uncertainties associated with climate change....
  12. 2016-11-01 Our global agricultural and food system is broken and needs to transition to one that is more sustainable and beneficial to the world's population. This seems hard in the face of the linked challenges ofclimate change, natural resource depletion, and worldwide economic and social upheaval. At the...
  13. AFSA’s collection of case studies shows how agroecology benefits Africa in terms of food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, cultural sensitivity, democracy, and value for money. Agroecology works in harmony with nature. It...
  14. Today, consumers are charged more for organic food than for conventionally produced food. But given the latter’s ecological footprint, this ought to be the other way round, our author of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation maintains. To make this happen, he calls for public policies...
  15. The Agroecology Learning alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA) is supported and coordinated at national and regional level by GRET (www.gret.org). ALiSEA’s goal is to enable local and regional agroecology stakeholders to leverage one another’s expertise to produce evidence based studies and share...
  16. 2017-11-17 This short film was selected as one of the top eight entries in the Youth Agroecology Short Film Competition, a collaboration between theAgroecology Learning Alliancein Southeast Asia and theLuang Prabang Film Festival. Selected from dozens of submissions from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and...
  17. Agroecology - the application of the science of ecology to agricultural systems - is increasingly recognized as the way forward for agriculture. Further, agroecology is more than a science, it is also a practice and a movement. Conceived in this manner, the knowledge of farmers takes center...
  18. Assess your project or policy with the Agroecology Criteria Tool and find out how much transformative Agroecology it entails The Agroecology Criteria Tool (ACT) methodology is based on the analytical framework by Gliessman on the 5 levels of food system change and is embedded within the 10...
  19. 2019-07-20 With 821 million people still hungry (FAO et al., 2018), it is clear that the global agriculture and food systems are not meeting the world’s demand for food. This tension is likely to be exacerbated as food systems will continue to face multi-dimensional, complex and mounting challenges...
  20. Abstract,Basic and Applied Ecology, 2019 Agroecosystems represent a large geographical footprint in most terrestrial landscapes, and management decisions within these systems affect their function in species conservation. We evaluated the effects that rangeland management systems (based on...
  21. EOA Documentary English Subtitles
  22. Agrobiodiversity is the foundation of sustainable agricultural development. It includes the diversity of plants, animals, fish, trees and microbes that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture. The human race could not survive without access to this diversity, which enables plant...
  23. Abstract, Researchgate, 2019 Biodiversity and agriculture are strongly interrelated to each other, the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources plays a crucial role in India’s food, nutritional and livelihood security. India is considered to be a centre of origin of rice, brinjal,...
  24. 2018-01-20 This collection aims to provide a reference for policy makers and practitioners working in areas related to bioenergy in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This encompasses those in the energy, agriculture, forestry, environment, finance and business sectors, among others, who are searching for...
  25. Our main finding was that although many trained farmers realise the importance of ecological agriculture, it was not always possible for them to put the training into practice, especaily on their major farming land which provides them with most of their livelihood security.
  26. The bestselling author ofEmotional IntelligenceandPrimal Leadershipnow brings usEcological Intelligence—revealing the hidden environmental consequences of what we make and buy, and how with that knowledge we can drive the essential changes we all must make to save our planet and ourselves. We buy...
  27. THere is a current trend toward more comprehensive and integrated conservation programs. Because comprehensive programs must be organized to address specific development projects and specific conservation needs, this book is designed to provide specific guidelines for the design, management, and...
  28. Abstract, Asian Biotechnology and Development Review, 2016 Changes in Earth’s climate at the end of the last ice age brought about seasonal conditions that favoured the cultivation of annual plants like wild cereals, helping to launch the agricultural revolution. Earth’s climate is changing...
  29. This book explains the use of an ecological way of farming, with modern practical applications, to make the fullest use of land resources and the best utilization of available capital and labour. In analyzing the vital relationship between soil, plant, animal and man, the author discusses the...
  30. The present study is a further contribution to the discussion of the principles and methods of sustainable agricultural development which appeared in the Kotschi and Adelhelm report on ecofarming.
  31. Abstract, Science Advances, 2019 March Old-growth tropical forests harbor an immense diversity of tree species but are rapidly being cleared, while secondary forests that regrow on abandoned agricultural lands increase in extent. We assess how tree species richness and composition recover during...
  32. Abstract, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2020 December There is increasing interest in agroecology as a way to move toward more sustainable agriculture and food systems. However, the evidence of agroecology's contribution to sustainability remains fragmented because of heterogeneous...
  33. 2018-01-20 Rice is the most important food crop, both worldwide and for China. To achieve a transition towards sustainable rice production based on agroecology, biodiversity is a crucial component. Through China’s long history of agricultural development, many rich experiences of harnessing biodiversity in...
  34. Key Resource 2008-07-01 From water quality to social inequality, from raising crops to rising temperatures, how we use natural resources affects our health and well-being. This highly-illustrated guide will help health promoters, educators, community leaders and ordinary people take charge of their communities'...
  35. Agroecology is based on applying ecological concepts and principles to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while taking into consideration the social aspects that need to be addressed for a sustainable and fair food system. By building synergies, agroecology...
  36. Key Resource 1998-12-28 A tool for developing and applying the science of agroforestry to problems of natural resources conservation and sustainable agricultural development, this book examines the environmental and social conditions that affect the roles and performance of trees in field- and forest-based agricultural...
  37. Key Resource 1996-01-01 This is a book of practical ideas. It is written for people who help those who live and make their living under difficult conditions in the tropics and subtropics. What should a development worker do to assist a community? There are no simple answers, but there are many possibilities—plants,...
  38. 2016-03-20 Strawberry fields forever Agroecology is an epistemological revolution Climate change seen through indigenous worldviews Rescuing our maize - building a network A farmer-NGO-scientist synergy Institutionalising dialogue in Rwanda through innovation platforms Co-creating the agricultural...
  39. 2015-12-20 Women forging change with agroecology Building autonomy through agroecology Bringing 'life' back to our food system SRI: A practice that transforms the lives of women Constructing autonomy, territory and peace Peasant women power in Mozambique Women drive alternative economies in the Himalayas...
  40. 2001-01-01 The world's food supply needs to rise significantly, yet both arable and water supplies per capita are decreasing. Not only are modern agricultural methods beyond the reach of those suffering the greatest food insecurity but they are also ecologically damaging, relying upon fossil energy and...
  41. This booklet aims to provide you, as people leading and supporting the move to Agroecology in Africa, with lessons from the valuable experiences of the APCNF programme. We have included helpful inputs, discussions and conclusions from the 15 online sessions held over 2021/2022. You will also find...
  42. Natural Farming has no strict rules, only principles to guide you as you learn to become a better natural farmer. Natural Farming is not only about replacing chemical inputs with organic inputs but also about creating a farming system that is in tune with the way Nature operates.
  43. 2014-02-20 From subsistence to resistance "A revolution of thought is necessary" Agroecology and the right to food Local food systems in times of economic crisis Bees bring a buzz to family farming in Zimbabwe Home nurseries, viable businesses Moving from vulnerability to resilience in Africa Subsistence...
  44. 2016-05-20 Janneke Bruil and Jessica Milgroom Amplification of agroecological experiences is “the main challenge today”, in the words of former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, because of its many contributions to addressing challenges such as hunger, poverty, loss of...
  45. 2013-12-20 Ten qualities of family farming New peasants in Spain When family farmers lead development The mother of our breath "We are a political and economic force" From conflicts to profitable alliances Learning from new peasants Agri-ProFocus Agro-ecology
  46. 2016-05-20 This report has been compiled by Janneke Bruil, Jessica Milgroom, Romée Marchand (all from ILEIA) with support from Daniel Moss (AEF). The Agroecology Learning Exchange was hosted in Uganda between May 10 and 13, 2016 by the AgroEcology Fund (AEF) and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa....
  47. 2015-06-20 Community supported agriculture thriving in China Eqyptian youth challenge the city-country divide Growing a sense of place and community in Cape Town Between city and country: domestic workers build food sovereignty Threatened landscapes unite rural and urban communities "Urban agroecology - a...
  48. 2001-04-20 Resilience to disaster Resilience in farm level food security Farmers' responses to reduce the risks of drought Trees for semi-nomadic farmers Enset, the tree against hunger Underground storage of sorghum African farmer Effective women's development Far from all oil palm turmoil Measuring...
  49. Agricultural systems in South East Asia are at a crossroad between conventional intensive models and emerging agroecological approaches. The continuous intensification of conventional models which rely heavily on chemical inputs and capital is leading to a simplification of agricultural...
  50. Access Agriculture Training Video To sell agroecological produce, we need to pay attention to four things: organization; negotiation with local authorities; a guarantee system, so consumers know that all the produce is free from agrochemicals; and finally marketing and customer services....
  51. Agriculture and food systems are facing wide-ranging and interlinked challenges that demand urgent actions. The 10 Elements of Agroecology have been internationally endorsed as a framework to support research and development efforts in the design of differentiated paths for agriculture and food...
  52. 2002-03-20 Managing agroecosystems Ecological Millenniium An ecosystem approach to health Agriculture and human health Ecology of mycotoxins in maize and groundnuts Ecohealth case studies An emerging consensus on ecosystems and human health
  53. 2012-06-20 Twenty years later Poverty alleviation - dignity, ecological growth or just money? Agrobiodiversity@knowledged: enhancing the debate for a real transformation Feeding the worldin the twenty-first century Agro-ecological approaches to enhance resilience to climate change Farmers and markets:...
  54. 2008-03-20 Fair fruit trade Exporting mangoes from Burkina Faso Bolivian producers lobby for change Improved shea butter trading through certification Agroecological cotton and fair trade make the difference Filipino handicrafts Organic and fair trade products attract new customers Corporate challenges to...
  55. 2020-01-20 In this issue: Agroecology and feminist economics The path to feminist agroecology The economic potential of agroecology in Europe The rise of rural women's movements in Southern Africa Care ethics in agroecology Highland agriculture Growing equity through agroecology in Uganda
  56. 2010-12-20 Planning outcomes in detail More opportunities for scaling up in Central America GMOs are a serious threat to local breeds Enhancing learning within certification schemes Teaching teachers: agroecology in Argentina Can family farmers benefit from bio-fuels? Farmer Field Schools take root in...
  57. 2018-03-20 Community supported agroecology thriving in China Farmers ensure safe water for New York City Agroecology is the way forward for Africa Organic and agroecology Women in Brazil build autonomy with agroecology Land grabbing threatens agroecology Rice Intensification in India Peasant agroecology in...
  58. 2013-09-20 The Shashe Agro-Ecology School Learning AgriCultures Improved extension in Paraguay Seeds and farmer field schools Reflecting upon practice A university's model for local development Connecting social movements, family farmers and the university Training teachers in Afghasistan A new cadre of...
  59. 2016-09-20 The true cost of food Seeing is believing - urban agroecological transition How peasants read their farm Short chains bring long-term gains Ideas and initiatives from the field Agroecology contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals New books on assessing impact of agroecology How to...
  60. 2012-09-20 A pyramid of farmer organisations The rules that keep the group together A powerful learning opportunity Rio + 20 - what now? Farmer organisations Nepal's biodiversity conservation and development committee REAP's agro-ecological villages The strength of farmer organisations The biodiversity...
  61. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)and theInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)have cooperated over several decades to develop and implement the Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework and databases. AEZ relies on well-established land...
  62. 2017-04-20 Agroecology for food sovereignty Food versus the big city of Istanbul Human-centred agriculture fighting exploitation and racism Food sovereignty taking root in women's knowledge Locally rooted ideas and initiatives from the field The vitality of everyday food Food sovereignty stories from...