Agroecology as an Alternative Vision to Conventional Development and Climate-smart Agriculture

Pimbert, Michel

doi:10.1057/s41301-016-0013-5

Cited by 81 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…For instance, reducing the use of chemical pesticides, mowing instead of intensive weeding, abandoning the use of fire and implementing water harvesting structures may be considered interesting by more market-oriented farmers. However, adoption of these practices will only result in a small transition shift, as it does not include social, cultural and organisational aspects that are also part of agroecology [66].…”

Section: Farm Diversity and Implications For Agroecological Transitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Farm Diversity to Promote Agroecological Transitions

et al. 2018

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Agroecology is increasingly promoted by scientists, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), international organisations and peasant movements as an approach to foster the transition to sustainable and equitable food systems. The challenges to agroecological transitions are not the same for all farmers, as they can face different social and bio-physical conditions. We developed a farm typology combining participatory and quantitative methodologies to assess and categorise farm diversity and its implications for developing strategies to promote agroecological transitions. The participatory typology was developed during workshops to acquire insights on local farmers’ perceptions and knowledge, and to generate hypotheses on family farm diversity. The participatory-based hypotheses were tested in the quantitative farm characterisation, which provided information on household characteristics, production strategies, land use, participation in public policies and extension services. Farms were located in Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which harbour a wide diversity of farmers and where different actors have been engaged in agroecological transitions for the past 30 years. Our main findings were: (i) In the face of agroecological transitions, farmers differ in their management strategies, practices and principles; (ii) farmers identified as agroecological typically had stronger engagements in a network composed of farmers’ organisations, universities and NGO’s; (iii) agroecological farms showed great potential to provide a wide range of ecosystem services as they featured a higher crop diversity and a higher number of crops for self-consumption; (iv) to promote agroecology, it is crucial to recognise peasant knowledge, to change the dominant discourse on agriculture through social movement dynamics, and to generate support from public policies and funds; and (v) participatory and quantitative methodologies can be combined for more precise and relevant assessments of agroecological transitions.

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Section: Farm Diversity and Implications For Agroecological Transitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Farm Diversity to Promote Agroecological Transitions

et al. 2018

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“…However, there have also been criticisms by some civil society organizations claiming that CSA opens "a new space for promoting agribusiness and industrial agriculture" (http://www.climatesmartagconcerns.info/rejection-letter.html Accessed 13/2/2018) and controversies over the meaning of CSA (Steenwerth et al, 2014). In addition, there are concerns that CSA can be appropriated to support conflicting agendas, such as agroecology or conventional agriculture (Pimbert, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying Climate-smart agriculture research needs

et al. 2018

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Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help agricultural systems worldwide, concurrently addressing three challenge areas: increased adaptation to climate change, mitigation of climate change, and ensuring global food securitythrough innovative policies, practices, and financing. It involves a set of objectives and multiple transformative transitions for which there are newly identified knowledge gaps. We address these questions raised by CSA within three areas: conceptualization, implementation, and implications for policy and decision-makers. We also draw up scenarios on the future of the CSA concept in relation to the 4 per 1000 Initiative (Soils for Food Security and Climate) launched at UNFCCC 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21). Our analysis shows that there is still a need for further interdisciplinary research on the theoretical foundation of the CSA concept and on the necessary transformations of agriculture and land use systems. Contrasting views about implementation indicate that CSA focus on the "triple win" (adaptation, mitigation, food security) needs to be assessed in terms of science-based practices. CSA policy tools need to incorporate an integrated set of measures supported by reliable metrics. Environmental and social safeguards are necessary to make sure that CSA initiatives conform to the principles of sustainability, both at the agriculture and food system levels.

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“…Notably, DFID's new approach to investing in food and agricultureincluding Climate Smart Agriculture [25]-reflects the same funding and policy bias in favour of high external input and export-oriented industrial and Green Revolution agriculture, especially in Africa [26]. On the whole, UK aid thus deeply undermines the prospects for research, development, and diffusion of agroecological innovations for sustainability in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.…”

Section: Discussion Of Results: On the Near-absence Of Aid To Agroecomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Projects that, in our analysis, do not support agroecology aim, for example, at improving access to financial services for rural populations, improving market linkages for the agricultural private sector, improving the adoption of insurance policies by smallholders, supporting Sustainability 2018, 10, 505 8 of 10 policy development for land tenure and land markets, improving non-agricultural job prospects and the skill base of rural youths, developing large infrastructure to enable agricultural commercialisation, and improving agricultural productivity through adoption of new technologies (referring above all to synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, commercial seed, and fossil-fuel-based tilling and harvesting machinery). Notably, DFID's new approach to investing in food and agriculture-including Climate Smart Agriculture [25]-reflects the same funding and policy bias in favour of high external input and export-oriented industrial and Green Revolution agriculture, especially in Africa [26]. On the whole, UK aid thus deeply undermines the prospects for research, development, and diffusion of agroecological innovations for sustainability in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.…”

Section: Discussion Of Results: On the Near-absence Of Aid To Agroecomentioning

confidence: 99%

Absent Agroecology Aid: On UK Agricultural Development Assistance Since 2010

Pimbert

Moeller

2018

Sustainability

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Using figures published by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), this study finds that despite overwhelming evidence in favour of agroecology as a mode of agricultural development able to address crucial aspects of the interrelated crises facing human societies, UK development aid barely supports agroecology. Based on the most generous interpretation, this study shows for the first time that aid for agroecological projects is less than 5% of agricultural aid and less than 0.5% of total UK aid budget since 2010. Since 1 January 2010, no funds at all have been directed at or been committed to projects with the main focus on development or promotion of agroecological practices. Minor funds have been directed at projects which include some activities promoting agroecology at the most basic level of resource efficiency (e.g., conservation agriculture). By largely supporting industrial and Green Revolution agriculture, UK Aid priorities contribute very little to the transition towards social-ecological sustainability in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

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Agroecology as an Alternative Vision to Conventional Development and Climate-smart Agriculture

Abstract: This document is the author's post-print version, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer-review process. Some differences between the published version and this version may remain and you are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.

Cited by 81 publications

References 18 publications

Understanding Farm Diversity to Promote Agroecological Transitions

Understanding Farm Diversity to Promote Agroecological Transitions

Identifying Climate-smart agriculture research needs

Absent Agroecology Aid: On UK Agricultural Development Assistance Since 2010

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