Innovating Climate Change Adaptation through Agroecology

The second day of the virtual consultations on Innovating Climate Change Adaptation through Agroecology featured two breakout groups which heard presentations on local implementation experiences.

In opening remarks, Alexander Müller, Managing Director, TMG Research, highlighted the aim of the consultation is to present its results to a broader audience, specifically from the climate change adaptation community.

The first breakout group discussed examples of how agroecology and water management contribute to transformation at the landscape scale. Participants exchanged views on how experiences from the field can inform the further development of the key messages that will form the output of the consultations. Discussions inter alia highlighted the need to: better reflect that agroecology is key for future-proofing food systems and for staying within planetary boundaries; and focus on collective participatory management as a means to adapt to climate change. To level the playing field for agroecology, participants emphasized the need to internalize negative externalities and take into account the "true costs" of conventional farming.

In the second group, participants discussed three examples from local initiatives in India, Tanzania, and the Philippines. Discussions inter alia pertained to: the role of women’s collectives in strengthening social capital and fostering upscaling of agroecological practices; and the promotion of market-oriented production for improved livelihoods. Participants shared that “many farmers have grown tired of problems with conventional agriculture,” pointing to high costs of nutrients and pesticides and to a lack of control over seeds. They noted that increases in farmers’ net incomes and reduced watering needs contribute to the appeal of agroecological practices.

In closing remarks, Alexander Müller said discussions highlighted significant commonalities between initiatives implemented in different agroecological zones around the world, especially regarding the importance of strengthening social capital and adapting technologies to local needs.

Jes Weigelt, TMG Research, reflecting on group discussions, emphasized the importance of broadening alliances between the agroecology community and stakeholders working on ecosystem-based adaptation, as well as exploring climate-nutrition linkages. He underscored enabling environments as critical and local governments’ capacity constraints as a key challenge to overcome.

The first day of the virtual consultations on Innovating Climate Change Adaptation through Agroecology considered climate change adaptation needs in the agricultural sector and the role of agroecology in responding to these needs.

In opening remarks, Björn Niere, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), emphasized the need for the agriculture and food sectors to adapt to the dramatic effects of climate change and urged embracing multi-dimensional approaches, such as agroecology, to address these complex effects.

Rowena Buena, MASIPAG, shared insights into her organization’s work, highlighting it is a Filipino farmer-led network working towards the sustainable use and management of biodiversity through farmers’ control of genetic and biological resources, agricultural production, and associated knowledge. She lamented that government support for agroecological measures is much lower than for conventional agriculture.

Alexander Müller, Managing Director, TMG Research, argued that adaptation strategies have to go beyond technological solutions and foster social innovation, gender equality, and strengthened communities.

During a panel discussion, Ronnie Brathwaite, UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), highlighted positive impacts of agroecology for which considerable evidence exists, notably regarding multiple income streams that benefit the stability of livelihoods. He suggested that the reluctance to adopt agroecological approaches might not be the result of a lack of evidence, but due to vested interests favoring the status quo.

Fergus Sinclair, World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), emphasized the need for scale and context specific metrics – ranging from plot and landscape scale to food systems scale – to show “precisely what works, for whom, where” and what return on investment can be expected in different settings.

Martin Herren, Biovision, presented the results of a meta-analysis showing climate change mitigation co-benefits of agroecological practices and a lack of research on the social and governance dimensions of agroecology.

Jocelyn Parot, URGENCI, said his organization focuses on local solidarity-based partnerships for agroecology and described agroecology as “a set of agricultural practices, a science, and a social movement.”

In closing statements, Niere reminded participants that the dialogue’s purpose is to develop key messages on the importance of agroecology for climate change adaptation. He urged participants to develop short, simple, understandable, and evidence-based messages to make the case for agroecology among policymakers.