Agroecology is a system of agriculture and land management that looks to natural ecosystems and ecological principles to inform its agricultural practice and feeds the soil to feed the plant. It is a practice, a science and a social movement. It is not just a science as it includes the local knowledge and experience of food producers, especially women, as well as the struggle of social movements for a more just and sustainable world. 

Like food sovereignty, agroecology is a concept that that integrates the ecological, financial and political issues faced by small-scale food growers. It values traditional peasant farming systems, as well as new ecological management practices.

Features

• It recycles soil fertility and optimises available soil nutrients. It improves soil conditions for plant growth by managing organic matter, improving soil structure, cultivating ground cover, and enriching soil organisms. 
  
• It uses renewable and on-farm resources, such as nitrogen fixation and renewable energy. 
  
• It produces minimal pollutants such as greenhouse gases and nitrates.
  
• It minimises the loss of resources by managing the soil, water and microclimate. It conserves soil, water, energy and genetic resources.
  
• It diversifies local landscapes, habitats and economies.
  
• It empowers local people.
  
• It adapts to local environments and ecosystems.
  
• It promotes biodiversity and productive biological systems. It values the health of ecosystems, people and living organisms.
  

Networks

Nyeleni Newsletter www.nyeleni.org 

Agroecology Alliance www.campaignforrealfarming.org/agroecologybill/behind

Campaign for Real Farming www.campaignforrealfarming.org

Publications

The Nyeleni Declaration -International Forum for Agroecology

http://nyeleni.org/IMG/pdf/DeclNyeleni-en.pdf

Videos

Agroecology – Vision, Practice, Movement: Voices From Social Movements

www.agroecologynow.com/video/ag