Agroecology Knowledge Hub

Practices and innovations

Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to manage interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment for food security and nutrition. All over the world, farmers and food provisioners already apply this approach, which has a fundamental basis in traditional and local knowledge. FAO recognizes the importance of farmers managing human and natural capital to improve food security, nutrition, and rural development. They are seen as constant innovators and researchers who contribute to develop sustainable agriculture and more resilient rural livelihoods.

Below some examples of how farmers and other food provisioners are acting as the custodians of complex and innovative techniques that, through agroecology, combine local knowledge, traditional products and innovation.

In Regions

The countries and regions page offer knowledge and information on agroecology related issues by country (FAO Members and Associated Nations) and region. The purpose is to offer a quick and reliable way to access country-specific information on agroecology without the need to search in each section of the platform.

In the northern region of Burkina Faso, where drought is a major problem, insufficient rainfall combined with poor soil conditions do not guarantee sufficient cereal production during the rainy season...
2021
The communities Biowatch is engaged with are located in Umkhanyakude and Zululand District Municipalities in northern Kwazulu-Natal, in the south-east of South Africa. The initiative is focused around smallholder family farmers,...
2021
Bees provide a critical link in the maintenance of ecosystems, pollination. They play a major role in maintaining biodiversity, ensuring the survival of many plants, enhancing forest regeneration, providing sustainability...
2021
The initiative is located in the winter rainfall area of South Africa at the south-west of the Western Cape Province. Cold Mountain aims to demonstrate sustainable development through indigenous knowledge and...
2021
Zero-budget natural agriculture is a holistic agroecological alternative based on modern and traditional science that mitigates the consequences of climate change, reduces input costs and creates sustainable agricultural livelihoods. The initiative...
2021
Agroecology has been recognized by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as one of three paradigm shifts to...
2021
The commune of Mzouda, located in the province of Chichaoua, about 74 km from Marrakech, is a plain area close to the mountains. In 2018, in the commune of Mzouda, 72...
2021
The initiative is located in the Niayes region, bordering the maritime fringe of northern Senegal (Dakar, Thiès, Louga and Saint-Louis). The Federation of Vegetable Producers of the Niayes Zone (FPMN), with...
2021
The initiative is situated some 15km from the town of Guder in the Tuki Kuti District of the West Showa zone of Oromia Regional State. The mission of the farmers participating...
2021
The rural Sidama are mostly subsistence agropastoralists. Increasing climate change impacts have stimulated the farmers to adapt their farming practices to survive and thrive in this semi-arid environment. One of the...
2021
The forest ecosystem of Baoudoumboin is a 400 ha area from which local populations draw most of their resources to meet their subsistence needs, including: firewood and service wood; non-timber...
2021
The initiative is located on the Deccan Plateau of India. The climate is semi-arid in the north but tropical elsewhere. The majority of the farming population own less than one...
2021
This family agroecological initiative is led and inspired by the feminist farmer Fátima Maria dos Santos, coordinator of the Agroecological and Solidarity Markets Network of the State of Ceará. It...
2021
Organic agriculture has been present in Burkina Faso for more than 20 years, but is mainly intended for the export market. The high costs of third-party certification and the size...
2021
The initiative is located in the rural Sarah Baartman municipal district in the west of the Eastern Cape Province, home to the Xhosa people. Poverty in the territory is associated...
2021
The commune of Ndiob is located in the department of Fatick, 10 km south of the region of Diourbel, in west-central Senegal. The mission of the commune is to make Ndiob...
2021
The initiative is taking place in the Rabat region. The Zirâa Al Hayate "Seed of Life" cooperative in the Rabat region distributes plant products from 10 farms with agroecology practices....
2021
The initiative is situated in Gamo Zone, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region. The Shella Mella cooperative established in 2013. The cooperative supports its 200 members in shifting from...
2021
The mission of the Union of Tattaguine Communities is to strengthen food self-sufficiency through the capacity building of local communities in the sustainable governance of their natural resources and family...
2021
Food forests in Kenya are using modern forestry techniques to create food sovereignty and security. The holistic gardening project in Emuhaya, Western Kenya, is attracting local and international acclaim. Bio Gardening...
2021