Title of document: "Getting into a bind": How trade and investment regime blocks the development of Agroecology and access to land Authors: Nathalia Carrau and Martin Drago Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Friends of the Earth Year of publication: October 2016 Geographic focus: Worldwide Summary: There are multiple unregistered impacts, which are made invisible or inadequately reported, that prove the agribusiness led agrifood system is deeply unfair in many ways and fails to deliver a solution for the inter connected global crises of hunger, poverty and environmental destruction – crises that urgently need to be addressed by international governance spaces. This paper argues that the current trade and investment framework promotes agribusiness and in fact aggravates its impacts because, it also blocks the development of agroecology and food sovereignty. The negative impacts of the prevailing trade and investment model, such as increasing hunger and poverty, are not measured or addressed because the hegemonic theoretical, conceptual and symbolic framework is dominated by the rationale of the capitalist system that gives value to food and farming based strictly on its economic profitability. This paper aims to contrast the logic and rationale behind investing in agribusiness vs investing in agroecology.     Read More

Title of document: Making Sense (and Cents) of Food and Nature. A media guide to covering agro-ecology and food sovereignty Authors: Jeff Rutherford Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Internews’Earth Journalism Network Year of publication: not dated Geographic focus: Worldwide Summary: We know there’s something wrong with the food. What we don’t know: It doesn’t have to be that way. People are increasingly aware, though still woefully misinformed, that there is something wrong with how food works in our world. But instead of breeding action and commitment to finding solutions, this awareness risks breeding fatalism and complacency. Exciting advances in agro-ecology worldwide offer hope and avenues for action, but the message is not getting out. This short media guide aims at orienting journalism towards a better Agroecology coverage and helping seeing food through journalistic lens.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecology and Sustainable Development Authors: Jean Vettraino with support from Jean-Noël Menard and Vincent Minouflet Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation:  International Action and Advocacy Department (DAPI) of Secours Catholique-Caritas France Year of publication:  January 2017 Geographic focus: worldwide Summary: “Understanding the cornerstones of agroecology” requires “a sustained and significant collective effort, comparable to the efforts that went into conquering space. (...) Without doubt, the future of humanity depends far greater on this research than any programme looking at IT, electronics or telecommunications.” This report will primarily focus on agroecology projects and the views of partners in the Global South, projects and partners supported by Secours Catholique-Caritas Europe (SCCF). The wide range of practices are tailored to providing local solutions for sustainable agriculture in myriad different regions. All the initiatives are built on the principles of empowerment, action, resilience and integration of the social dimension. These characteristics stem from the desire to see a profound change in our food and agriculture systems, moving towards diversified agroecological systems.   Read More

Title of document: Why a Complexe Food System is Needed, Now Authors: Dr. Hans R. Herren Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Millennium Institute Founder and Biovision Foundation Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Worldwide Summary: This document presents various options for a sustainable agriculture and food system. It adresses the obstacles preventing the transformation from moving forward and how avoiding them.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecological practices: Transforming the dominant agro-food system? Authors: Les Levidow Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Open University Year of publication:  10th of November 2016 Geographic focus: Worldwide Summary: This document introduces the concept of Agroecology and how it can transform the dominant agro-food system through various Agroecological practices.   Read More

Title of document: Proceedings of the Agroecology Learning Exchange 2016 in Masaka, Uganda Authors: Janneke Bruil, Jessica Milgroom, Romée Marchand (all from ILEIA) with support from Daniel Moss (AEF). Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: AgroEcology Fund (AEF) and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) Date: From 10th to the 13th of May 2016 Location: St. Jude’s Family Projects, Masaka, Uganda Geographic focus: Uganda Summary:  “Agroecology is a process. You cannot expect a process to be perfect immediately. But once you make a step, you are moving.”—Jowelia Mukiibi, farmer, Uganda From the 10th to the 13th of May 2016, the AgroEcology Fund (AEF) and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) brought together 70 people representing 30 organizations to share experiences and ideas about amplifying agroecology. True to its name, this Learning Exchange aimed to facilitate learning and crosspollination of ideas among grantees, advisors and funders of the AEF, and to explore synergies to further the global agroecology movement. The meeting was held at St. Jude’s Family Projects, a demonstration farm and training center for agroecology based in Masaka, Uganda. This report aims to capture the proceedings as well as the rich and valuable sharing that took place at the Exchange.   Read More

Title of document: L'agroécologie: reconnecter l'homme à son écosystème Author: Michel Sonet et Eric Capoen, Aide au Développement Gembloux (ADG) Year of publication: Novembre 2016 Geographic focus: International Summary: Pour célébrer ses trente ans d’action au service des familles paysannes et de la souveraineté alimentaire, Aide au Développement Gembloux se dote d’une publication à destination de toute personne qui souhaite en savoir plus sur l’agroécologie : son évolution, sa définition, ses freins et limites et les solutions qu’elle porte en elle, en illustrant nos propos d’exemples concrets au Nord et au Sud. « Face à un système qui confisque le droit des peuples à se nourrir par eux-mêmes, l’agroécologie est une alternative éthique et réaliste, un acte de légitime résistance, qui permet l’autonomie des populations et la préservation de leurs patrimoines nourriciers ». Pierre Rabhi   Read More

Title of document: How to amplify agroecology ? Author: Agroecology Learning Exchange Year of publication: May 2016 Geographic focus: Uganda, Worldwide Summary: Amplification of agroecological experiences is “the main challenge today”, in the words of former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, because of its many contributions to addressing challenges such as hunger, poverty, loss of biodiversity and climate change. The participants in the Learning Exchange see amplification of agroecology as the transformation of food systems, rather than just the spreading of a set of food production techniques. Importantly, it promotes alternative forms of economic exchange and places agrobiodiversity, the struggle for land, control over seed and local farming and marketing knowledge (especially that of women) at the centre of this change processes. Amplification of agroecology was seen as a long-term process that is led by social movements, but encompasses all actors in the food system, including consumers. As agroecology is understood as an ongoing process of transition, there is no pre-determined end goal in its amplification, save for the broad objective of transforming food systems around the world.     Read More

Title of document: Farming Matters - Revaluing traditional plants Support: Magazine Issue: N° 32.2 Publisher: Farming Matters is published by ILEIA, the centre for learning on sustainable agriculture. ILEIA is a member of the AgriCultures Network, a global network of organisations that shares knowledge on agroecology and family farming. www.farmingmatters.org Date of publication: June 2016 Geographic focus: World wide Summary: This issue of Farming Matters looks at the growing number of initiatives worldwide that aim to harness the potential of traditional plants. Cultivating traditional plants builds resilience and nutrition, strengthens cultural practices and enhances food sovereignty. From the experiences presented here we learn that for the successful revival of traditional plants, farmers’ knowledge on agricultural biodiversity, nutrition and culture must also be valued and protected. And this works best through a holistic approach – from field to fork to politics.   Read More

Title of document: The Current and Future Roles of Small Farm Resources Centre in Extension and Advisory Services   Authors: Abram J. Bicksler; Ricky Bates; Rick Burnette; Boonsong  Thansrithong   Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Feed the Future Year of publication: 2014 Geographic focus: Southeast Asia Url original document: Summary: Small Farm Resources Centre (SFRC) model is not a new approach to agricultural outreach. Extension variations on this theme have been in operation in many parts of the world for years, yet thorough assessment of the regional efficacy of SFRC is lacking.   Read More