Agroecological

Agroecological is an adjective relating to agroecology, a field and movement that studies and designs agricultural systems based on ecological principles. It aims to integrate productivity with environmental health, social equity, and resilience, rather than focusing on short-term yields alone.

The term describes approaches that apply ecological concepts to farming, emphasizing biodiversity, soil organic matter, water conservation, nutrient cycling, and reduced reliance on external inputs. Agroecological methods highlight diversity and interactions among crops, livestock, soil biology, and landscapes, along with the use of local knowledge and participatory research to guide practice and innovation.

Practices commonly associated with agroecological farming include crop diversification and intercropping, agroforestry, cover crops, composting and manure management, reduced or no-till practices, integrated pest management, water harvesting, and rotational grazing. The goal is to create more closed nutrient cycles, strengthen ecosystem services, and increase resilience to pests and climate-related shocks.

Applications range from smallholder farms and community gardens to larger-scale projects that emphasize diversified systems and local governance. Success often depends on supportive policy frameworks, access to knowledge and extension services, and markets that value ecological outcomes and social benefits.

Agroecology intersects ecology, agronomy, sociology, economics, and political ecology. It is promoted by international organizations, researchers, and farmer movements as a framework for sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty, though critiques acknowledge potential trade-offs with yield in certain contexts and emphasize the need for local adaptation and investment.