Agroecology as people’s real solution to climate

crisisNdabezinhle Nyoni

What’s agroecology: application of ecologically concepts and principles to the design and management of

sustainable agro-ecosystems

• Scientific discipline: study of agro-ecosystem component interactions

• Set of practises: sustainable farming systems optimising and stabilising yields

• Social movement: pursues food sovereignty & multifunctional roles for agriculture (nature/agric/society relationships)

Agroecology

Why now?• Industrial agriculture

failure • Growing concerns for

more healthy foods• Changing climate: search

climate resilience in agric • Alarming global

inequality levels (a few 1% super rich vs. billions =poverty, (malnutrition-stunting, maternal mortality, landless, shaky dwellers, dumpsite scavangers etc

• We are calling for: Food sovereignty: Focuses on food for people; Values food providers; Localizes food systems; Put control locally; Build knowledge and skills & Works with nature

False solutions: Increase GHG

•Climate-(un)smart agriculture; Monocropping; Geoengineering & transgenics; food fortification (ICN, SUN, Nutrition for Growth)

•Agrofuels [Land grabs] and (damming water); Carbon trading, REDD etc

• Concentration and centralisation of the food system (Cargill, ADM, Bayer, Monsanto, Syngenta, Bunge, Heinz, McDonald, etc)

•Green “revolution”: Agro-chemicals and fertilisers etc (AGRA, AATF, Grow Africa, G8 New Alliance, WEF New Vision for Africa, Bill and Melinda Foundation, many others)

Real solutions: resilience & sustainability – Reduce GHG•Diversity of agroecological farming methods (crop rotation and fallowing; cover crops and mulching; intercropping; agro-forestry; use of local resources and renewable energy sources, composting, kraal manure; efficient water harvesting, biological management of pests, diseases & weeds etc)- not homogeneous: varies with local context. Shared through farmer-to farmer horizontal learning (la via Campesina established over 40 agroecology schools

•Peasant seeds/farmer/local saved seeds and livestock-genetic diversity & adaptation

•Sustainable management of natural resources by the people (forests [food, medicines, cultural, identity] land, water, etc)

•Comprehensive Popular Agrarian Reform

Is there any hope for agroecology- 21st century?

Is there any hope for agroecology- 21st century?• Social movements are calling for a shift from industrial agric

production model to Agroecology (Food sovereignty) supported by:–Consumer consciousness on the rise: healthy diets & food system

change to participatory approach (where food was produced, who produced it, or how they produced it) Food Democracy

–Climate change effects: global warming- droughts & floods

– Increased knowledge on benefits (not only on yields but economic, environmental and social): through use of multi-dimensional analysis tools

–Horizontal learning (Agroecology schools) Methodology: based on farmer-to-farmer experiences, direct exchanges, horizontal learning, organised by farmer's organisations themselves, based on the needs and knowledge of farmers. It is not a top-down approach. Documentation

–FAO symposium on Agroecology opened a window for debate and acceptance (UNCTAD, IAASTD, UNEP, etc)

–Acceptance of food sovereignty and agroecology by some politicians and policy makers as a solution to food and climate crises

–UN Declaration on Peasants’ Rights process (more support)

–Attempts at UN to control and prosecute TNCs

Limitations to scaling up agroecology

• Lack of supportive policies and institutions– Inadequate research and extension support– Lack of incentives– Insecure land tenure (widespread land grabbing etc)– Biased agricultural and trade policies favouring agro-food

industry

• Lack of understanding of what drives farmers’ choices– Short term profits vs. long term sustainability and

resilience– Agric. Mechanisation and technological improvements vs.

(Large amounts of soft inputs labour, management skills and knowledge- Cultural heritage)

– Massive marketing by food industry vs. (Lack of social/human relations (collective trust and cohesion)

Conclusions• Agroecology is the only way to “cool”

the planet in a way that is cost free, that builds resilience and enhances sustainability in agriculture– Path of harmony with nature and a

respect for life (encouraging reduction & recycling of food waste and the relocalisation of food production and consumption)

– We should push for policies that support the real solution: food sovereignty.