Principles of Agroecology

1.
PRINCIPLES OF AGROECOLOGY
2. Home>
3. Our approach>
4. Principles of agroecology
DEFINITION OF AGROECOLOGY IN UNITED NATIONS
DOCUMENTS
CONSOLIDATED SET OF 13 AGROECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES (HLPE 2019)
1. Recycling. Preferentially use local renewable resources and close as far as possible resource
cycles of nutrients and biomass.
2. Input reduction. Reduce or eliminate dependency on purchased inputs.
3. Soil heath. Secure and enhance soil health and functioning for improved plant growth,
particularly by managing organic matter and by enhancing soil biological activity.
4. Animal health. Ensure animal health and welfare.
5. Biodiversity. Maintain and enhance diversity of species, functional diversity and genetic
resources and maintain biodiversity in the agroecosystem over time and space at field, farm and
landscape scales.
6. Synergy. Enhance positive ecological interaction, synergy, integration, and complementarity
amongst the elements of agroecosystems (plants, animals, trees, soil, water).
7. Economic diversification. Diversify on-farm incomes by ensuring small-scale farmers have
greater financial independence and value addition opportunities while enabling them to respond to
demand from consumers.
8. Co-creation of knowledge. Enhance co-creation and horizontal sharing of knowledge including
local and scientific innovation, especially through farmer-to-farmer exchange.
8. Co-creation of knowledge. Enhance co-creation and horizontal sharing of knowledge including

local and scientific innovation, especially through farmer-to-farmer exchange.
9. Social values and diets. Build food systems based on the culture, identity, tradition, social and
gender equity of local communities that provide healthy, diversified, seasonally and culturally
appropriate diets.
10. Fairness. Support dignified and robust livelihoods for all actors engaged in food systems,
especially small-scale food producers, based on fair trade, fair employment and fair
treatment of intellectual property rights.
11. Connectivity. Ensure proximity and confidence between producers and consumers through
promotion of fair and short distribution networks and by re-embedding food systems into local
economies.
12. Land and natural resource governance. Recognize and support the needs and interests of family
farmers, smallholders and peasant food producers as sustainable managers and guardians of natural
and genetic resources.
13. Participation. Encourage social organization and greater participation in decision-making by
food producers and consumers to support decentralized governance and local
adaptive management of agricultural and food systems.
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.
The contribution of agroecological approaches to

realizing climate-resilient agriculture
It is generally accepted that agriculture is a major driver of climate change as well as being acutely
challenged to adapt to its effects. Agroecological approaches involve the application of integrated
ecological, economic and social principles to the transition of smallholder farming systems, towards
greater resilience. This involves adapting 13 generic agroecological principles to local circumstances. The
principles include: diversification, recycling, and better connecting producers and consumers. Adaptation
is done by scientists working closely with farmers and other stakeholders to co-create concrete, demand-
led solutions to pressing problems as they are experienced locally rather than through imposing externally
prefabricated solutions that may not be locally appropriate.
Agroecology comprises transdisciplinary science; sustainable agricultural practices; and, social

movements that are precipitating widespread behaviour change. Agroecological principles map closely to
principles of adaptation with the notable exception that while they often exhibit resilience benefits, these
are incidental rather than representing an explicit response to climate signals. Current market failures (for
example not costing pollution nor valuing the maintenance of soil organic carbon); and, perverse policy
incentives (for example subsidizing use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides) combine to mitigate against
decisions for farmers and other food system actors to adopt agroecological approaches despite their
benefits for climate resilience.
Agroecology manifests at field, farm and landscape scales, for which different metrics of agricultural
performance are relevant in order for agroecological practices to be fairly judged against alternatives.
Operationalising new and holistic performance metrics for agriculture will require innovation in both public
and private (value chain) sector governance.
Agroecological approaches involve the application of integrated ecological, economic and

social principles to the transition of smallholder farming systems, towards greater
resilience. This involves adapting 13 generic agroecological principles to local circumstances.
Agroecological approaches: Sub-themes

 Conservation agriculture
 Organic farming

Agroforestry
Permaculture
Biodynamic farming
What are the 5 principles of agroecology?

The five FAO principles for Sustainable Food and Agriculture are: 1) improving
efficiency in the use of resources; 2) conserving, protecting and enhancing natural
ecosystems; 3) protecting and improving rural livelihoods, equity and social well-being;
4) enhancing the resilience of people, communities and ecosystems; 5 ...
What is agroecology FAO?

Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to manage
interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment for food security and
nutrition. ... FAO recognizes the importance of farmers managing human and natural
capital to improve food security, nutrition, and rural development.
 Definition Of Agroecology

Agroecology is the study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production
systems. Bringing ecological principles into agroecosystems could suggest novel
management approaches that would not be considered otherwise.

Agroecology encompasses the relationship between agricultural production systems
and ecological processes. It includes all the techniques that allow agricultural practices
to be more respectful of the environment and its ecological specificities.

Agroecology is an interdisciplinary combination of agronomy, agriculture, scientific
ecology, economics, and social sciences. It integrates practices such as organic
farming, regenerative agriculture, some aspects of permaculture and therefore
contributes to sustainable development.

Agroecology is characterized by a global conception of agro-food production systems
and it relies on the natural features of ecosystems to amplify them. This helps minimize
the pressures on the environment and preserve the renewal capacity of the ecosystem
services.

Principles of Agroecology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Principles of Agroecology

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Principles of Agroecology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.

8. Co-creation of knowledge. Enhance co-creation and horizontal sharing of knowledge including

The contribution of agroecological approaches to

Agroecology comprises transdisciplinary science; sustainable agricultural practices; and, social

Agroecological approaches involve the application of integrated ecological, economic and

Agroecological approaches: Sub-themes

What are the 5 principles of agroecology?

What is agroecology FAO?

You might also like