Agroecology is an alternative type of agriculture against conventional practices, usually based on water waste, chemicals and monocultures.
The unit on which it works, agroecosystem, seeks sustainability and productivity through the application of ecological knowledge to its design and management. Do you want to know everything about What is agroecology and its importancein addition to other details? In Ecology Verde we show you the answers below.
What is agroecology and its approach
We can define agroecology as the science that seeks Application of ecological concepts and principles in agroecosystems To achieve double sustainability. Both at the level of the crop and the local societies that produce it.
Stephen Gliessman and Miguel Altieri are two of the scientists who have made more contributions to the approach, very rich in theoretical contributions, but it is on the field where their proposals are put into practice.
Basically, Agrosystems are sustainable agri -food systems which are based on principles such as nutrient recycling, diversity, synergies or integration. That is, the treatment of cultivation space as a living place, which has value as an end in itself.
The utilitarianism of conventional agriculture is replaced by a more respectful vision of the environment, which implies optimal use of water, the choice of suitable varieties according to the territory, the preservation of biodiversity, the use of pesticides and green fertilizers …
It works for the achievement of agroforestry and viable silvopastoral systems, crop rotation is carried out, among other methods of preservation of soil quality. In short, these agroecological practices seek to regenerate the environment without attempting against it. As a consequence, the environmental impact and food toxicity are minimized.
Is agroecology synonymous with organic farming?
The answer about whether agroecology and organic farming are the same, we already advance it, it is negative. Let’s keep in mind that the end of agroecology is to achieve its goal. That is, to ensure that the results are the most respectful of the possible nature without giving up a productivity that ends with the problem of food insecurity.
Faithful to this philosophy, the Implementation of Agroecology You can resort to everything that is necessary. This logically includes many of the practices of Organic agriculture, permaculture or biodinamicslet’s put. Likewise, if conventional agriculture has some type of response that is interesting, it does not have to be contemplated.
Practices can initially obey great principles of agroecology, and in fact they must do so. But then it will be necessary to reformulate everything you need to improve the results. One of its main theorists, M. Griffon, calls “bioinspiration” to this type of adjustments.
Thus, the concept of agroecology is very flexible. There are numerous approaches and definitions, so we will only find consensus with a very broad definition.
The definition of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) could be useful for its generality. According to this, agroecology is “the study of the relationship of agricultural crops and the environment.”
What is the importance of agroecology
Considering that, among others, agroecology is based on Principles of sustainability And equity, it is easy to intuit that these are not limited only to food production. Actually, it is, this way of growing food is also a solidary commitment to humans and with the planet.
While it is true that agroecology has emerged as a science with agrarian vocation, in the same way it can be affirmed that it is a social movement. In this sense, it seeks to launch a series of social processes capable of creating positive synergies that achieve human development from Strengthening of the local economy.
Well thought out, it is logical that it is. Its coherence and global vision goes beyond the earth. On the other hand, there is no doubt that both agricultural production and the way in which the environment determines life forms, especially in subsistence economies.
After all, natural, material, social and human goods are an interdependent whole when it comes to making decisions in one way or another. That is why agroecology as a science can cover endless theoretical and practical approaches related to the different orders of life.
Is agroecology the future of agriculture?
The Future agriculture It must face difficult challenges: reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, the pollution that affects biodiversity (especially pollinators) and the toxicity that chemical pesticides supposes for the human being.
In addition, it is key to maximize productivity or, at least, not to be less than the one that is currently achieved with conventional agriculture. Other great challenges refer to the use of resources such as water and soil.
What can agroecology contribute in this regard? According to the famous report on the right to food of Olivier de Schutter, The reinvention of agriculture is the only exit against the food crisis.
Scutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, a paradigm shift is necessary Agroecology. The report promotes it as a way to end hunger in the poorest areas.
Its productivity and sustainability make it possible. In fact, agriculture of the future must be both sustainable and productive enough to keep the growing human population. For now, there are many experts who believe that family agriculture based on the principles of agroecology can feed the world.
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