Agroecology is an integrated approach aimed at enhancing the sustainability of agriculture and food systems, extending beyond mere agricultural production to include the entire food journey from production to consumption. The 13 agroecological principles (HLPE, 2019) can be tailored to local contexts and needs, resulting in a various agroecological approaches on different scales.
The factsheet “Agroecology – From Principles to Transformative Pathways” gives an insight in how the 13 principles of agroecology can be used to shape a pathway for food and agriculture systems transformation. Five projects, from India, Mali, Global, Regional in Sub-Sahara African, and Mexico share their lessons learned and how they used the principles to define their pathway towards sustainable food systems transformation. From designing a systemic approach for food systems transformation to tailor a strategy which supports rural women to create community benefits, to cross-sectoral approaches to integrate biodiversity protection and its sustainable use into agriculture systems.
The following short movies showcase best practice examples for agroecology and climate change adaptation for the transformation of agri-food systems. The movie series “Living Adaptation” consists of five clips: One overarching movie summarizes the topic broadly, whereas four examples from India, Ethiopia, Madagascar and the southern African region provide hands-on experiences and local voices.
Pathways to Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems
This overarching movie introduces the bigger picture: It demonstrates the interrelations of climate change adaptation and the transformation of agri-food systems. It shows agroecological country examples from India, Ethiopia and Madagascar briefly.
Indian farmers turning garbage into gold
This best practice example from India demonstrates how agroecological principles like recycling, connectivity and soil health are being applied in practice: Urban waste is turned into organic compost and reused in rural areas, so that farmers and soils can become more resilient.
Ethiopian pastoralists building resilience
This movie from Ethiopia highlights a systemic approach to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities. A promising way to adapt to a changing climate in the Ethiopian lowlands: To rehabilitate degraded land and create additional livelihood options for pastoral communities.
A call for innovative solutions in Madagascar
This best practice example from Madagascar argues that digital tools play a crucial role in tackling the challenges of climate change. The movie shows how digital meteorological advisory services and climate risk insurances help local farmers to adapt their agricultural practices to a changing climate.
Joint climate action in Africa
This example shows how decision-makers from various African countries join forces to address climate change on the international policy stage. By working together and acting as one, Africa is proving that collaboration is key for effective climate change adaptation.
The following written examples were collected within the scope of the TMG Working Paper “Systemic Challenges, Systemic Responses – Innovating Adaptation to Climate Change through Agroecology”. The paper summarises several consultations of experts, policy makers and practitioners on the contribution of agroecology to innovative and transformative climate change adaptation responses. The initiatives listed below were selected while considering the agroecological principles by FAO, yet, some of the listed examples do not classify themselves as an agroecological project.
“Zero Budget Natural Farming” (ZBNF) for climate-resilient agricultural production
Promoting sustainable local development through agroecological family-scale agriculture
German baby food company for organic banana farming
Biodynamic agricultural methods to revitalise desert land and strengthening agricultural value chains
“People´s movement for watershed development”
Strengthening the livelihoods and resilience of smallholders
Strengthening and protecting one of France´s leading organic farming regions
Supporting rural communities to adapt to climate change
Advocating greater control of local genetic and biological resources
Collective and democratic processes, as the basis for justice, social change and sustainable living