Agroecology Knowledge Hub

Human and social values: protecting and improving rural livelihoods, equity and social well-being is essential for sustainable food and agricultural systems

Agroecology places a strong emphasis on human and social values, such as dignity, equity, inclusion and justice all contributing to the improved livelihoods dimension of the SDGs. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems. By building autonomy and adaptive capacities to manage their agro-ecosystems, agroecological approaches empower people and communities to overcome poverty, hunger and malnutrition, while promoting human rights, such as the right to food, and stewardship of the environment so that future generations can also live in prosperity.

Agroecology seeks to address gender inequalities by creating opportunities for women. Globally, women make up almost half of the agricultural workforce. They also play a vital role in household food security, dietary diversity and health, as well as in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. In spite of this, women remain economically marginalised and vulnerable to violations of their rights, while their contributions often remain unrecognized. Agroecology can help rural women in family farming agriculture to develop higher levels of autonomy by building knowledge, through collective action and creating opportunities for commercialization. Agroecology can open spaces for women to become more autonomous and empower them at household, community levels and beyond – for instance, through participation in producer groups. Women’s participation is essential for agroecology and women are frequently the leaders of agroecology projects.

In many places around the world, rural youth face a crisis of employment. Agroecology provides a promising solution as a source of decent jobs. Agroecology is based on a different way of agricultural production that is knowledge intensive, environmentally friendly, socially responsible, innovative, and which depends on skilled labour. Meanwhile, rural youth around the world possess energy, creativity and a desire to positively change their world. What they need is support and opportunities.

As a bottom-up, grassroots paradigm for sustainable rural development, agroecology empowers people to become their own agents of change.

Database

The Pulicaro farm is located in Tuscia Viterbese, between Orvieto and Lake Bolsena, Italy. It occupies an area of 33 hectares divided between forest and farmland associated with poultry and livestock. It is an integrated management system designed to manage many aspects. It focuses on agroecology, intercropping and sustainable practices...
Italy
Video
2021
Chilling stress, one of the most important limiting environmental factors, delays plants growth and development and reduces crops yield. Chilling stress causes cell membrane damage, which triggers an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide (O2-), hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ROS are cytotoxic compounds...
China
Journal article
2014
Given the sheer number of people involved and the diverse geographies represented, AGree collected dozens of recommendations for supporting and strengthening local food systems. Using a national policy lens, we worked to develop recommendations that are universal in their application (e.g., less place-specific) given the national focus of AGree. Through...
United States of America
Policy brief/paper
2015
Today, one of the major global challenges we face is that of feeding the world. Would it be possible to solve this challenge? If yes, via what pathways? Nowadays, two paradigms come up when discussing solutions to the global food challenge. One is the technical, scientific, and large-scale ‘one size fits...
Article
2022
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 to cover the food needs of families. In 2004, the Association for Research and Training in Agroecology (ARFA) began experimenting with...
Burkina Faso
Innovation
2021