September 17, 2021
Published on the occasion of the UN World Food Systems Summit, this dossier compiles the works of 500 French and CGIAR agroecology scientists and experts from universities and research organizations, including 20 contributions INRAE. It reflects the diversity and dynamism of scientific and technological research at national and international levels on agroecology.
The urgency of agroecological transformation of agrifood systems linked to SDGs will be one of the game changers discussed at the UN World Food Systems Summit this year. Clearly the diversity of agriculture on this planet heralds the way to a variety of agroecological transition pathways (different baselines, input usage levels, socioeconomic contexts and particularly different labour costs and availability), and also a diversity in terms of means for public action (subsidy levels that could be reoriented to incentivize change, research and extension, etc.). There are also similaritiein terms of understanding the biology, ecology and socioeconomics of farming agroecosystems and their functioning, and how to manage risks, including those triggered by climate change.
Lessons are also to be learned from past trajectories in the Global North and other parts of the world. Such insight could help avoid the simplification levied by conventional agricultural models, while shedding light on pitfalls to elude when considering power asymmetries and developing cooperative systems. Indeed, in some parts of the world where inorganic input usage is generally low and sometimes nonexistent —such as fertilizer use in many African countries— the priority is often focused on increasing access and usage of these inputs to boost production and productivity. Agroecological concerns are relevant, even under these conditions, and any decisions to increase such input use must strive to strike a balance between short-term productivity gains and longterm environmental health and sustainability gains.
The linkage between sustainable intensification and agroecological transformation emerges here as a point of analysis. These issues have led researchers from CGIAR and French research organizations to work together in compiling this Dossier to showcase their expertise at the disposal of policymakers, extension services, NGOs and farmers’ associations committed to promoting the agroecological transition. They must be ready to take on the responsibility of exploring new ways of conducting research based on systemic and transdisciplinary approaches, implementing inclusive participatory methods, the solution-based theory of change, fostering partnerships with national agricultural research systems, while enhancing orchestration of research efforts to converge towards sustainable food systems!
Content:
Part 1 - AGROECOSYSTEMS
1. Increasing the efficiency of practices in order to reduce the use of costly, scarce or environmentally damaging inputs
2. Substituting intensive external input use by biodiversity-derived ecosystem functions
3. Redesigning agroecosystems on the basis of a new set of ecological processes from farm and landscape
Part 2 - FOOD SYSTEMS
4. Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems to achieve agroecological transitions at scale – reconnecting producers and consumers
5. Building a new global food system based on equity, participation, democracy and justice
Part 3 - KEY PROCESSES, METHODS AND TOOLS FOR AGROECOLOGY
Editorial and Scientific Board:
Kwesi Atta-Krah (IITA), Jean-Luc Chotte (IRD), Chantal Gascuel (INRAE), Vincent Gitz (CIFOR), Etienne Hainzelin (CIRAD), Bernard Hubert (INRAE, Agropolis International), Marcela Quintero (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) and Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF) are the scientific coordinators of this publication, with the support of Isabelle Amsallem (Agropolis International)
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR Research Centers in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.
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flyer_ Agroecological transformation for sustainable food systems.pdfpdf - 1.93 MB
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