Agroecology Knowledge Hub

Synergies: building synergies enhances key functions across food systems, supporting production and multiple ecosystem services

Agroecology pays careful attention to the design of diversified systems that selectively combine annual and perennial crops, livestock and aquatic animals, trees, soils, water and other components on farms and agricultural landscapes to enhance synergies in the context of an increasingly changing climate.

Building synergies in food systems delivers multiple benefits. By optimizing biological synergies, agroecological practices enhance ecological functions, leading to greater resource-use efficiency and resilience. For example, globally, biological nitrogen fixation by pulses in intercropping systems or rotations generates close to USD 10 million savings in nitrogen fertilizers every year, while contributing to soil health, climate change mitigation and adaptation. Furthermore, about 15 percent of the nitrogen applied to crops comes from livestock manure, highlighting synergies resulting from crop–livestock integration. In Asia, integrated rice systems combine rice cultivation with the generation of other products such as fish, ducks and trees. By maximising synergies, integrated rice systems significantly improve yield, dietary diversity, weed control, soil structure and fertility, as well as providing biodiversity habitat and pest control.

At the landscape level, synchronization of productive activities in time and space is necessary to enhance synergies. Soil erosion control using Calliandra hedgerows is common in integrated agroecological systems in the East African Highlands. In this example, the management practice of periodic pruning reduces tree competition with crops grown between hedgerows and at the same time provides feed for animals, creating synergies between the different components. Pastoralism and extensive livestock grazing systems manage complex interactions between people, multi-species herds and variable environmental conditions, building resilience and contributing to ecosystem services such as seed dispersal, habitat preservation and soil fertility.

While agroecological approaches strive to maximise synergies, trade-offs also occur in natural and human systems. For example, the allocation of resource use or access rights often involve trade-offs. To promote synergies within the wider food system, and best manage trade-offs, agroecology emphasizes the importance of partnerships, cooperation and responsible governance, involving different actors at multiple scales.

Database

22 March 2022  | JOIN HERE The agroecological approach in agricultural production has become more relevant due to the growing demands of society for access to healthy, healthy and sustainable food, as well as the need to promote sustainable food systems that are resilient to climate change and mitigate the impact on the...
Argentina
Event
2022
ECHO East Africa is pleased to announce the Fourth Pastoralist Symposium. The Pastoralist Symposium will provide a network and training opportunity for those involved in improving nutrition and livelihoods in pastoralist areas. It will consist of two afternoons featuring a plenary session and several lightning talks (5 minutes focused talks) plus a live 'meet the...
Event
2022
Part one of the series on "Healthy Soil - Healthy Planet" of Soil Food Web School explores some of the many benefits that regenerating soils can have on the rest of the planet and on humans in a dialogue between Dan Kittredge, Dr. Stephan Van Vliet, Didi Pershouse, Dr. Elaine...
Event
2022
19 April 2022  Since its launch in 2018, the Scaling up Agroecology Initiative seeks to mobilize dialogue, cooperation and investment within and beyond the United Nations (UN) system, to bring agroecology to scale and achieve multiple sustainable development goals through sustainable agriculture and food systems. Different UN Agencies are progressively supporting...
India - Mexico - Senegal
Event
2022
20 April - 20 May 2022 | Join the virtual discussion HERE The FAO Family Farming & Agroecology Community of Practice in Africa is implementing a discussion on ''The co-creation, sharing and dissemination of local innovations for healthy soils in Africa'', co-organized by key actors working for the promotion of family...
Event
2022