Thumbnail Image

52 Profiles on Agroecology: Agroecological Transition in Mexico: ANEC’s journey to a Better Farm and Food System

Year of publication 2017

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 4p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Series title 52 Profiles on Agroecology

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) By minimizing the use of external inputs and decreasing dependency on global commodity markets, agroecological approaches enable small farmers to survive some of the challenges posed by climate change, volatile prices and unfavourable government policies. Examining how agroecology fosters resilience and resistance to damaging industrial agricultural practices and policies can lend insight into how to promote and scale out agroecological approaches, by overcoming the various political and economi c obstacles to a truly equitable and sustainable food system. Countless countries have policies and programs that support an extractive agro-industrial system, creating institutional barriers to a transition. Many farmers must compete in a global commodity market that rewards mechanization and foments dependency on often subsidized harmful chemical inputs. In such a context, what policies and programs might foster a transition to agroecology? What are the best practices for supporting farmers in this transition? The experience of farmer organizations and the rural social movements at the forefront of agroecological innovation and the struggle for food sovereignty can shed the light on these questions. The following case study examines the experience of one such farmer’s organization in Mexico.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    52 Profiles on Agroecology: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in Japan 2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme, launched as an initiative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2002, provides international recognition to important traditional agricultural systems (including forestry and fisheries) which conserve agrobiodiversity, indigenous knowledge, culture heritage and agricultural landscapes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    52 Profiles on Agroecology: Impact of agroecological techniques on soil fertility and productivity of sorghum and pearl millet in Burkina Faso 2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in the Sahel whose economy is highly dominated by agriculture and livestock husbandry, with more than 70% of the population living in rural areas. The prevailing farming system is smallholder agriculture based on cereal production, especially sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) which form the staple diet for the population. The two crops occupy almost 2.9 million hectares of land, however, production is constantly ch allenged by climate hazards, inefficient farming practices, and declining soil fertility. To address these concerns, several agroecological techniques have been developed and promoted among farmers by the project “Farmer led agro-ecological intensification in Burkina Faso”. The project is financed by the Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) of the McKnight Foundation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    52 Profiles on Agroecology: Agroecology program in Xuan An and Ngoc Son, Vietnam 2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Located about 70 km north east from Hanoi, Vietnam, the villages of Xuan An and Ngoc Son (Bac Giang province) include 285 households. Rice is the main staple crop and its production extends for 98 ha, about 0.7 ha per household. Vegetables, mainly brassica species, tomatoes, herbs and potatoes are also produced on about 14 ha while fruit trees are grown in the house gardens. Local rice and vegetable production strongly relies on synthetic inputs specifically Nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides w hich increase production costs and raise concerns on the impact of farming on the environment and human health. Small scale livestock production systems are also part of the local agriculture and involve more than half of the families which raise pigs, chickens and ducks in the backyard.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.