There is an increasing amount of evidence showing the positive impacts of agroecology on the environment, increased biodiversity, improved livelihoods, and greater resilience to climate change. However, these results often remain fragmented in case studies, isolated experiences or field observations, usually based on heterogeneous methods and data, as well as differing scales and timeframes.

The need for harmonized evidence on agroecology was a systematic recommendation from the various global and regional consultations on agroecology organized by FAO between 2014 and 2018, and specifically requested by FAO governing bodies in 2018. To respond to these mandates, FAO in consultation with many partners have developed the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE).

TAPE is a comprehensive digital tool that collects data at the farm level, assesses the progress towards agroecology, and quantifies its diverse benefits. In essence, TAPE compiles global harmonized evidence to showcase how agroecology can drive the shift towards more sustainable agricultural and food systems.

The tool is designed for communities of practitioners working in agroecology, including scientists, producers and extension workers, development workers; as well as policy makers and NGOs, CSOs and international organizations and funding institutions. The document TAPE - Process of development and guidelines for application (test version) explains how TAPE was developed, outlines its underlying principles and methodological components, and provides guidance on its use.

Benefits and uses of TAPE

Creates Global Harmonized Evidence for Policy Recommendations: TAPE serves as a crucial tool to inform policy makers and development institutions by creating harmonized evidence on the multidimensional performance of agroecology and its potential to contribute to the SDGs. Alongside providing data and analysis on different development objectives, TAPE enables inter-sectoral and inter-departmental cooperation.

Supports the Design, Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects and Programs: TAPE helps design interventions and compare the performance of different agricultural systems over time, at farm and territorial levels. It can, therefore, support the re-orientation of public investment towards more sustainable agriculture and food systems. Furthermore, it assists relevant governmental institutions in assessing the agroecological status and impact at national and multi-country level, integrated into census and other larger-scale assessment initiatives. 

Enhances Agroecology Knowledge and Empowerment of Key Stakeholders: TAPE improves agroecological knowledge of TAPE users including producers, organizations and policy-makers, through the collective process of producing data and evidence on their own practices, contributing to future informed decisions.