Across West Africa, agroecological practices such as crop diversification, agroforestry, intercropping, organic soil management and water harvesting are rooted in local farming knowledge and offer potential pathways towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. In their 2026 review, Bernadin Djossou and Pascal Gbenou examine the contribution of agroecology to food security, nutrition, biodiversity, climate change mitigation and rural livelihoods, while assessing the conditions needed to expand its adoption. The authors draw on 484 publications covering the period 2000–2024, identified through Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and grey literature from organizations including FAO, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the Network of Peasant Organizations and Agricultural Producers of West Africa (ROPPA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The reviewed evidence documents promising results from several practices. In Burkina Faso, the zaï technique, which concentrates water and organic matter in planting pits, has been associated with improved crop yields. Studies also report benefits from cereal–legume intercropping, agroforestry and soil and water conservation, although outcomes vary according to local conditions and farming systems. The review identifies obstacles to wider adoption, including limited policy support, insufficient training and agricultural advisory services, restricted access to finance and inputs, underdeveloped local markets, and high labour requirements. The ECOWAS Agroecology Programme and farmer-led initiatives illustrate ongoing efforts to support the transition.

The authors conclude that agroecological transitions depend on coordinated institutional, technical, economic and market support rather than isolated interventions. They call for stronger country-specific research, long-term comparative assessments and greater recognition of local knowledge to clarify the socioeconomic viability, trade-offs and potential benefits of agroecology across the region.