Agroecology is the study of agricultural systems and their interaction with the environment. It focuses on optimizing locally available resources through practices like crop rotation, polycultures, and agroforestry to reduce reliance on external inputs. Key principles of agroecology include recycling nutrients on the farm, integrating crops and livestock, and maintaining biodiversity. Agroecological strategies can improve productivity and sustainability while conserving natural resources long-term.
2. Photo by Luz Adriana Villa A. - Creative Commons Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/11599314@N00 Created with Haiku Deck
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10. An approach to increased productivity and
sustainability.
Agroecology as a discipline emerged in the
1960’s, focusing on the study of crops and the
environment interaction.
It led to a greater understanding of the impact of;
Agriculture on its environment
Ecological zones and the agroecosystem on
productivity and agriculture practices
11. Definition
The integrative study of the ecology of the
entire food system, encompassing
ecological, social and environmental
dimensions.
OR
Agroecology is the study of the interactions
between plants, animals, humans and the
environment within agricultural systems.
12. Agroecology…
Due to climate change, there is need for ‘climate
smart’ agriculture practices.
This would require;
An understanding of the interaction between crops
and their environment
Detailed information on other dimensions, such as
soils, weather pattern, and water availability
Agroecology ensures agricultural productivity and
conserve natural resources.
It is closely related to the concept sustainable Agril
and is a climate smart agriculture practice.
15. Principles of agroecology
Recycling nutrients and energy on the farm,
rather than introducing external inputs;
Integrating crops and livestock; diversifying
species and genetic resources in agro ecosystems
over time and space; and
Focusing on interactions and productivity across
the agricultural system, rather than focusing on
individual species.
17. • Optimizes the use of locally available resources by combining
the components of the farm system
i.e. plants,
animals,
soil,
water,
climate
and people,
• Reduces the use of off-farm, external and non-renewable
inputs and ensures sustainability.
• Rely mainly on resources within the agroecosystem by
replacing external inputs with
nutrient cycling,
better conservation,
and an expanded use of local resources;
The roles of agroecology in productivity and
sustainability
18. • Improves the match between cropping patterns and
environmental constraints of climate and landscape
to ensure long-term sustainability of current
production levels;
• Values and conserves biological diversity, both in the
wild and in domesticated landscapes, and makes
optimal use of the biological and genetic potential of
plant and animal species
• takes full advantage of local knowledge and
practices, including innovative approaches not yet
fully understood by scientists although widely
adopted by farmers.
The roles of agroecology in productivity and
sustainability
19. The sustainable practices include…
Crop rotation
Polycultures
Agroforestry systems
Cover crops
Animal integration
Urban and peri-urban agriculture
Water use and conservation
Biodiversity and agro-biodiversity
22. • This model shows an integrated barn with spatial and temporal design
of crops, pasture, serials and trees. The pasture constitutes the
changing phase of the rotation as grazing animals deposit manure
improving soil fertility for the annual crops that use the nutrients thus
representing the extracting phase of the rotation
28. System in which crop, animals, fish and forest are
integrated
29. Introduction of flowering plants as strips within crops or as
field borders are effective ways to enhance the availability
of pollen and nectar necessary for optimal reproduction.
30. "… organic agriculture can be
more conducive to food
security than most conventional
systems, and .. it is more likely
to be sustainable in the
long term."
(UNEP-UNCTAD, 2008).
Organic Agriculture is a ”good
option for food security”
33. • Mulching and recycling
organic residues
• improve soil structure and
quality
• Water conservation and water
use efficiency
• Adoption of diversified
cropping systems, indigenous
foods, GMO’s high in
nutrients
• Agro-forestry and mixed
farming
• No-till agriculture
• On-farm experimentation and
adaptation
• Use of micronutrient rich
fertilisers, nano-enhanced,
Zeolites
• Inoculating soils for improved
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
• Microbial processes to
increase P-uptake
Solutions for soil and food quality
improvements
With adoption of proven management options, global soil resources are
adequate to meet food and nutritional needs of the present and future
population
R. Lal, 2009; Okalebo et al., 2006
34. OA is good for biodiversity and
biodiversity is good for OA
Organic farmers use more
Agro-ecological methods:
• Mixed crop rotations, intercropping, …
• Grasslands and green manure,
• Habitats and non-farmed areas
• Non-chemical pest management
Promoting functional diversity means enhancing
and benefitting from Ecological service functions:
•Pollination
•Pest and disease prevention
•Biodiversity preservation,
•Soil quality
•Resilience
•In situ conservation of genes
35. • Competitive productivity in low input
• Improved farm economy (less costly inputs and premium
prices in certified OA)
• Improved food security (availability, access, stability,
utilization)
• Improved soil health (fertility, stability, water-holding
capacity)
• Improved biodiversity and landscape preservation
• Reduced risk of pesticide toxication and residues in food
• Reduced nutrient lossess from intensive systems
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Organic Agriculture contributes
to eco-functional intensification
Potentials of OA:
Innovation, adaptation of agro-ecological methods is
needed to obtain the full potential of OA
36. Common features of agroecology practices
Maintain vegetative cover as an effective soil and water
conserving measure, met through the use of no-till
practices, mulch farming, and use of cover crops and
other appropriate methods.
Provide a regular supply of organic matter through the
addition of organic matter (manure, compost, and
promotion of soil biotic activity).
Enhance nutrient recycling mechanisms through the
use of livestock systems based on legumes, etc.
Promote pest regulation through enhanced activity of
biological control agents achieved by introducing
and/or conserving natural enemies and antagonists.
37. Key impacts
• Increased production and crop
diversification
• Livelihood security
• Food Sovereignty
38. Conclusion
• Agroecology provides guidelines to develop
diversified agroecosystems that take advantage of
the effects of the integration of plant and animal
biodiversity.
• The end result of agroecological design is
improved economic and ecological sustainability
of the agroecosystem hence increased
productivity.
