Agro-forestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Agro-forestry is a dynamic, ecologically-based, natural resource management practice that,…
Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an agro-ecosystems management approach aimed at improving and sustaining agricultural productivity, increasing profits and food security while preserving and enhancing the resource base and the environment. CA is characterised by three interrelated principles.
Integrated agriculture provides high quality food and other products by using natural resources and regulating mechanisms rather than polluting chemical inputs to secure sustainable farming. The agronomic techniques and biological / physical / chemical methods are carefully selected and balanced taking into account the health of people (i.e. farmers and…
This section addresses integrated farming approaches that have been promoted as alternatives to Green Revolution agriculture since the 1990s for self-sufficient farming. The New Theory farming system in Thailand and the VAC system in Vietnam (VAC in Vietnamese is Vuon, Ao, Chuong which means “garden/pond/ livestock pen”) consist in highly…
Organic agriculture aims at sustaining the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of chemical inputs with potentially adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote…
The System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI is an agro-ecological approach for increasing rice productivity (and more recently other crops) by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients.
ALiSEA Online Library contains a wide range of agro-ecology’s documents: backgrounds, case Studies and initiatives fact sheets, presentations, policy documents, toolkits and IEC Materials. All documents are searchable via their Agro-ecological School(s), country, or type. Access now.
By Nguyễn Thị Trang – PHANO On November 20, 2024, in Hanoi, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), and CIRAD Vietnam organized a workshop titled “Advancing Agroecology for Transforming Sustainable Food Systems in Vietnam” under the framework of the ASSET project. The event welcomed 53 participants, including representatives by government organizations, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, and ALiSEA Vietnam. Hoang Vu Quang, Deputy Director of IPSARD, emphasized the importance of agroecology (AE) as Vietnam transitions towards a sustainable agricultural model. He highlighted that AE is a core component of the national strategy to preserve natural resources, adapt to climate change, and enhance agricultural value chains. A major milestone was presented by Dr. Nguyen Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Center for Rural Development (RUDEC), IPSARD. She introduced the “Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions in ASEAN and Developments in the Context of Vietnam,” recently endorsed by ASEAN ministers. These guidelines outline seven critical leverage points for agroecology transitions, including: Planning for Agroecology Transitions Working with Farmers Promoting Transitions Across the Agrifood Value Chains Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing Multistakeholder Engagement Developing a Research Agenda Financing Agroecology Transitions Dr. Mai Huong stressed that these points are crucial […]
By Doan Thu Thuy, CISDOMA The Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) organized a webinar titled “Promoting Ecological Agriculture to Support Agricultural Product Markets in Vietnam” on October 4, 2024 under the Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions in Southeast Asia (ASSET) project. This initiative is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU). The webinar was hosted by the Consultative Institute for Socio-Economic Development of Rural and Mountainous Areas (CISDOMA), the Vietnam Association of Rural Development Sciences (PHANO), and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA). It brought together 30 participants, including students, experts, NGO staff, and representatives from private companies. Dr. Pham Van Hoi, Director of CARES and Policy Dialogue Manager for ALiSEA in Vietnam, welcomed participants and provided an overview of the ALiSEA network. He highlighted the critical role of agroecology in mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which struck northern Vietnam earlier in October. Dr. Hoi stressed the need for strategic solutions to support agroecological development as a vital component of climate resilience. Expert Presentations 1. Mr. Nguyen Dang Cuong (Director, Ltd. LUCAVI Company) Mr. Cuong provided an enterprise-level perspective on the agroecological […]
On October 25, 2024, the Sub-Sector Working Group on Agroecology (SSWG-AE) convened at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel. This workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss the integration of agroecological principles into the Lao Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) for 2026–2030. Among the notable contributors was ALiSEA, which actively participated as both a speaker and a key supporter of agroecology initiatives in Laos and the ASEAN region. As part of the panel discussions, ALiSEA shared its experiences in supporting capacity building and fostering multistakeholder engagement to promote agroecology. These efforts align with the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecological Transition, which provide a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable agriculture. ALiSEA highlighted key initiatives, including: Knowledge Sharing: Creating platforms for exchanging innovative practices and success stories among farmers, researchers, and policymakers. Policy Advocacy: Engaging with government agencies to align national strategies with the ASEAN guidelines and advance agroecological transitions. Regional Collaboration: Supporting cross-border initiatives that strengthen agroecology as a viable approach to addressing climate change and food security challenges. During Panel B of the workshop, ALiSEA emphasized the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in shaping the ADS. The network’s ongoing efforts, such as the establishment of knowledge hubs and capacity-building activities, were presented as examples […]
