Agroecology: A Means to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The SDG Summit Week, held in September 2023, was an important midway check point to track the progress on advancing the SDGs before the fast-approaching 2030 deadline. Mid-term evaluation of the same has, unfortunately, indicated that progress towards the Agenda is either minimal or moderate and that external shocks like the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and rising effects of the climate crisis have impeded progress on many levels. The report reveals that only 17% of the SDGs are on track and over one-third are stalling or regressing. Goal 2 of Zero Hunger is at risk of not being met with over 100 million more people suffering from hunger than in 2019. The end of the Summit saw governments, with well-intentioned ambitions, renew their commitments to the Agenda and the goals, and advocating for “transformative efforts”. Investing time and resources in cultivating sustainable agricultural practices is essential to address the inequalities and issues in the agri-food sector. To catalyze this process, a “transformative effort” that needs a moment in the spotlight is Agroecology.

Shining the Spotlight
Defining agroecology has not been a simple task. Originally starting to emerge in the 1980s, agroecology was seen as a form of resistance sweeping across the agri-food system, in response to the increasing greed and dominance established by industrial forms of agriculture. The 1990s saw an evolution in its definition to include all aspects of the food system from the farm to the people, making it “the ecology of the entire food system”. To further simplify and consolidate the evolving description of the term, agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach to farming that applies ecological principles and enhances the delicate relationship between plants, animals, humans and the environment. It aims to work towards a socially equitable food system that puts people at the heart of the decisions they make about how and what they produce and consume.

By emphasizing local knowledge, community engagement and building resilience, agroecology offers transformative solutions to address the challenges faced by conventional agricultural systems, such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate change. Holistic agroecological practices like crop diversification, integrated pest management, and soil regeneration foster long-term sustainability by building strong, locally based food systems that are better equipped to respond to global challenges.

Agroecology directly and indirectly contributes to all 17 SDGs but particularly contributes to the advancement of SDG1 No Poverty, SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 15 Life on Land. Meeting the SDGs through sustainable agriculture requires agricultural practices that prioritize resilience and self-sufficiency, guarantee adequate and consistent production and human health and promote local livelihoods and societal stability. Through the process of “transition to agroecology”, farmers are moving towards self-sufficiency in terms of less use of chemical fertilizers (meets SDG 3, 11, 15), ensuring consistent crop yield that is healthy and nutritious (meets SDG 2, 3, 11), maintaining soil health and a biodiverse local ecosystem (meets SDG 3, 11, 15), improved livelihoods (meets SDG 1, 2, 3, 11), and less dependence on governmental funds and support in the long run (meets SDG 1, 2, 3, 11).

A Systems Perspective
Agroecological practices follow a critically interlinked and integrated systems approach and provide the framework for sustainable food systems transformation. Often described as a science, a set of practices and a social movement, it is these three aspects in tandem that can be the harbinger of that transformational change. Agroecology’s impact on biodiversity conservation can be seen by the improvements in the soil ecosystem and soil water retention, and in natural systems.

Derived from ancestral and indigenous knowledge and from the experiences and practical knowledge of farmers, agroecology forms the basis of innovative and effective agricultural practices that 1) satisfies our current food needs and 2) lays the ground for the building of sustainable food systems; thereby ensuring resilience, better productivity and most importantly, food security in communities.

The Case of Cuba
The successful application of agroecological practices is evidenced in several case studies from around the world. Cuba has been a pioneer in encouraging farmers to incorporate agroecological practices in their farming and as a country, have made impressive leaps in making the practice more mainstream. With governmental support and resources, more than 200,000 smallholder farmers were able to adopt agroecological practices on their farms. A study conducted in a family farm in Pinar del Río, Cuba, over a span of three years, indicated a categorical and undeniable increase in food security, farmer livelihoods, soil quality and economic viability. The farmer produced approximately 8 tons of food annually and internally transitioned to a balanced diet. Furthermore, there was an improvement in the soil’s health and fertility with a visible increase in organic matter content, as seen through a soil quality analysis. Despite initial costs, the farmer saw an improvement in his income generation demonstrating the long-term economic viability of this practice.

The implementation and sustenance of agroecological principles and practices long-term can only be achieved by a fundamental shift in the way we relate to our food systems and how we determine their distribution across communities. The 2024 Summit of the Future aimed to challenge conventional thinking and hold our leaders accountable. What better way to do this within the agri-food system than by advocating for enhanced governmental cooperation to ease the transition to sustainable agriculture. Together, let us forge ahead and grow our world with agroecology, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

References
1. Gliessman, S. (2018). Defining Agroecology. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 42(6), 599–600. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2018.1432329
2. Lucantoni, D. (2020). Transition to agroecology for improved food security and better living conditions: case study from a family farm in Pinar del Río, Cuba. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 44(9), 1124–1161. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2020.1766635
3. Silici, L. (2014). Agroecology- What it is and what it has to offer. IIED Natural Resources Group, Agroecology Team. https://www.iied.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/migrate/14629IIED.pdf
4. The Sustainable Development Goal Report 2024 Key Messages, United Nations Statistics. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2024/SDGs_Report_Key_Messages_2024.pdf