Agroecology
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa
Agroecology emerged during the 1930s (Gliessman, 2018). In its early stages, its aim was to address the environmental impact of toxic substances employed in agriculture, particularly pesticides. Its implementation was oriented primarily on a farm scale to the agroecosystem, that is to say, a type of ecosystem emerging from interactions between socioeconomic and ecological processes, and whose functions are assessed by humans in terms of food and other ecosystemic services (Neyton et al., 2018). Since then, its definition and scope have advanced significantly worldwide.
Agroecology in Latin America and in Europe has many shared principles and aims; however, certain differences exist owing to local contexts and specific social, dietary and, in particular, economic traits. In Latin America, agroecology has emerged and developed in a socioeconomic context fraught with social and economic inequalities, rural poverty, and a significant presence of indigenous and farming communities (Guzmán et al., 2000). This came as an answer to the ecological crisis in the rural areas and the obstacles to accessing resources, principally land and seeds, and was ultimately driven by the need to defend food sovereignty. However, the social, nutritional, and economic circumstances in Europe were different. The agroecological approach in Europe is adopted in response to a highly industrialised agriculture, heavily dependent on public subsidies (González de Molina, 2012) and is conducted with a strong presence of civil society, alternative food networks and ecologist groups.
At present, agroecology is applied in many regions combining movement, science and practice and, in a majority of cases, these dimensions are closely linked (Wezel et al., 2009). Additionally, it is in the process of evolving toward a broader perspective, encompassing the entire agro-food system, defined as a network comprising food production, distribution and consumption (Gliessman, 2007). This enlargement implies a new and more comprehensive definition of agroecology as “the integrative study of the ecology of agro-food systems as a whole, encompassing ecological, economic and social dimensions, or simply the ecology of agro-food systems” (Francis et al., 2003).
There is consensus over the need for an in-depth transformation in the agri-food sector, delocalised and increasingly industrialised on multiple scales, to face complex inter-related challenges. These challenges include the pressure on renewable resources, persistent food insecurity, rural abandonment, the disappearance of family farming, the negative impact on animal welfare and the severe consequences of overstepping planetary boundaries, outstandingly climate change and the alarming rate of biodiversity loss (FAO, 2018a; IPBES, 2019; IPCC, 2019). In addressing these challenges, the FAO (2018b) developed the ’10 elements of agroecology’ framework as a guide for countries and society to implement agroecology. This framework is centred on providing normative and operational means for the systematisation of agroecology through a range of inter-related and inter-dependent elements. The 10 elements are grouped according to their principal functions, ranging from aspects such as diversity, synergies, efficiency, resilience, recycling, co-creation and knowledge sharing, human and social values, food culture and traditions, the circular, solidarity-based economy and responsible governance (FAO, 2018b).
Tackling the transition toward territorialised and sustainable agri-food systems requires a long-term perspective and a holistic approach, such as those found in the principles of agroecology in line with its three-fold political, scientific and practical outlook. According to Gliessman (2018), the agroecological approach is characterised by its transdisciplinary nature, integrating all forms of knowledge and experience in the process of transforming the agro-food system. In addition, it is participative, in that it requires the participation of all the parties involved from farm to fork including intermediate players. Lastly, as Gliessman has pointed out, it is action-oriented, as it challenges the economic and political power structures of the current industrial agro-food system with alternative social structures and collective political action.
In the political sphere, agroecology aims to achieve the transformation of the dominant agri-food regime through a holistic and sustainable approach to food production rooted in local territories. This objective seeks to strengthen food sovereignty, reduce agricultural and food industries’ power and concentration, preserve local identity and culture, protect farmers’ rights over autochthonous seeds and breeds, and advance toward ecosocial justice (Altieri y Toledo, 2011; Rosset et al., 2011). On this item, ecofeminism of a post-colonial inclination has contributed in large measure by insisting on the need to safeguard autochthonous seeds and traditional ecological knowledge: reproductive tasks that are often taken care by networks of dedicated women.
Regarding its practical implementation, agroecology plays a key role in reducing dependency on fossil fuels and improving the energy efficiency of the agrarian metabolism minimising external inputs. Furthermore, this approach promotes soil fertility and biodiversity, as well as better animal welfare. Besides, agroecology plays a major role in reducing the ecological footprint associated with food production, and in promoting practices that enhance the resilience of agroecosystems exposed to climate change.
In contrast with this transformative agenda, the Green New Deal –particularly, the strategy known as Farm to Fork–, has adopted agroecology from the regenerative agriculture perspective, oriented toward increasing productivity. This orientation, legitimised by the biotechnological paradigm, remains part of the dominant agro-food regime (Alonso-Fradeyas et al., 2020) and does not question the economic structures that govern this system (Gliessman, 2011). This technocratic approach regards agroecology exclusively as a scientific discipline that yields knowledge and technologies useful to sustainable intensification (Pretty, 2010). By contrast, to establish stronger grounds for its legitimisation, González de Molina (2013) points out that we should consolidate political agroecology, given that the sustainability of the system cannot be attained with technological (agronomic or environmental) means alone, but requires a profound review of the current institutional framework.
References
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