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.

This document offers guidance to governments on how to support family farmers by promoting and implementing agroecology and organic agriculture approaches. It highlights a selection of relevant measures and provides...
2025
Composting manure using biological products is a natural way to decompose animal and plant waste into nutrient-rich organic matter that plants can easily absorb within weeks. This eco-friendly process not...
2024
A pioneering rice farm in Vermont has embraced the agroecological technique known as “aigamo method,” which introduces ducks into rice fields to offer natural weed and pest control, along with...
2024
The digitization of food systems is well underway. The digital ecosystem and its actors have increasing influence over how food is produced, what food people buy, and the flow of...
2024
In Ecuador’s Intag Valley, the women’s artisan collective Mujer y Medio Ambiente (Women and the Environment) has developed an innovative way to dye and stitch fibers from the cabuya plant,...
2024
This document is the result of a participatory and collaborative effort across the five knowledge hubs to provide a central, comprehensive guide to ensure that the topic of gender cuts...
2024
This FAO's latest guidance, developed under its Science and Innovation Strategy, offers a comprehensive framework for strengthening science–policy interfaces (SPIs) to support the transformation of agrifood systems. Designed to meet...
2024
Making silage is a method of preserving and storing green feed through anaerobic fermentation (without oxygen). Silage can be made from a diversity of forage materials and stored for periods...
2024
This technical guide helps farmers and land managers understand and apply innovative agroecological practices. Created within the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative (AE-I), the guide promotes context-appropriate agroecological methods to improve farming...
2024
Agroecology is a transformative approach to food systems. This how to paper by GIZ presents a theoretical basis and concrete case study examples on how agroecology can be leveraged to create...
2024
Consumers are one of the key stakeholders in the food system, yet their potential and contribution to transitioning current unsustainable food systems to a more agroecological one is rarely recognized. This...
2023
Agroecology enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
The demand for organic vegetables is rising rapidly but cannot be met by current agronomic methods. The lack of attention for biodiversity and soil fertility of current practices damages the...
2022
Agroecologie enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
Agroecologie enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
Agroecology enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
Agroecologie enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
The increasing pace of climate change is an existential threat to farming continuity and biodiversity. Agricultural innovation is running too slowly but could be accelerated by a change in the...
2022
Agroecologie enables the improvement of agricultural production through the enhancement of local natural resources and traditional know-how. It contributes to maintaining biodiversity and restoring land in drylands, which are particularly...
2022
Produced jointly by the FAO and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with contributions from multiple stakeholders, this technical guide addresses the integration of the Voluntary Guidelines on...
2022