Agroecology calls for responsible and effective governance to support the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems. Transparent, accountable and inclusive governance mechanisms are necessary to create an enabling environment that supports producers to transform their systems following agroecological concepts and practices. Successful examples include school feeding and public procurement programmes, market regulations allowing for branding of differentiated agroecological produce, and subsidies and incentives for ecosystem services.

Land and natural resources governance is a prime example. The majority of the world’s rural poor and vulnerable populations heavily rely on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services for their livelihoods, yet lack secure access to these resources. Agroecology depends on equitable access to land and natural resources – a key to social justice, but also in providing incentives for the long-term investments that are necessary to protect soil, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Agroecology is best supported by responsible governance mechanisms at different scales. Many countries have already developed national level legislation, policies and programmes that reward agricultural management that enhances biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. Territorial, landscape and community level governance, such as traditional and customary governance models, is also extremely important to foster cooperation between stakeholders, maximising synergies while reducing or managing trade-offs.