Numerous overlapping ecological, socio-political, and economic shocks and stresses acting across multiple scales have culminated in a polycrisis that threatens agriculture and food systems worldwide. As primary food producers, smallholder farming communities in the Global South are particularly vulnerable to adverse impacts – such as those caused by climate change, armed conflict, supply chain disruptions, or other disturbances. In view of these setbacks, and despite early successes, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) appears increasingly unlikely unless substantial and fast-acting measures are taken to not only bounce back but also bounce forward– transforming smallholder-based agriculture and food systems into more equitable, just, and resilient ones.
Mounting evidence from research and rural development programmes suggests that agroecological approaches and principles hold considerable potential in this regard. Agroecology is increasingly recognized as a multiple-win strategy, simultaneously supporting climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable soil and water management, and improved food and nutrition security – thus contributing to synergies between the three Rio Conventions on climate (UNFCCC), biodiversity (CBD) and desertification (UNCCD). While its contribution to field and farm level ecological resilience is well established, evidence of broader ecological, social, and economic resilience at community, landscape, and food system levels remains limited.
A regular Round Table on Agroecology and Organic Agriculture in Development Cooperation (Runder Tisch Agrarökologie und Ökolandbau in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit) fosters exchange between the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), civil society, and the private sector. Within this dialogue, the interest emerged to systematically explore interlinkages between resilience and agroecology and formulate recommendations for strengthening them. As a follow-up, BMZ, through GIZ’s (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) Sector Project Rural Development, commissioned an exploratory study to examine how projects that apply agroecological approaches contribute to strengthening the resilience of rural communities and landscapes.
The Brief highlights key findings from 61 projects in 26 countries in the Global South, with a focus on the interconnections and synergies between resilience and agroecology. It also presents six key levers for promoting these synergies in development cooperation projects and programmes. The Study Brief is intended for policymakers, decision-makers, and practitioners involved in planning and implementing programmes in the fields of sustainable rural development and food systems transformation.
