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As a scientific discipline, agroecology is not prescriptive; it provides no recipes or technical packages. It is based on the local application of basic agroecological principles. FAO’s framework on agroecology is based on the following elements: diversity, co-creation and sharing of knowledge, synergies, efficiency, recycling, resilience, human and social values, culture and food traditions, responsible governance, circular and solidarity economy. The choice of management practices and technologies to achieve agroecology or to move towards an agroecological transition is always location specific, shaped by a given social-ecological context.

The science of agroecology explicitly recognises the value of bottom-up participatory research and knowledge and promotes: (i) bridging formal and informal innovation processes; (ii) combining local knowledge systems and expertise with scientific knowledge; (iii) acknowledging and respecting farmers and food provisioners as owners of knowledge and co-researchers and innovators.