Emile A. Frison presents on agroecology for sustainable food systems. Current industrial agriculture leads to malnutrition, health issues, environmental degradation, and social inequities. Diversified agroecological systems can address these issues through virtuous cycles. They improve productivity, income, and resilience while enhancing biodiversity, soil and water quality, and nutrition. However, market concentration and policy lock-ins prevent widespread transition to more sustainable agroecological practices. A paradigm shift is needed to support local food systems through indicators, funding, and education.

1. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
JUNE 2016

2. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Sustainable food systems
Sustainable
food system
Vibrant local
economy
Good health
Culturally
appropriate Social equity
Environmentally
sustainable

3. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
What is wrong with our food
systems?
Triple burden of malnutriCon
• Hunger, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity &NCDs
NegaCve impact on health
• Pes8cide poisoning, an8bio8c resistance, nitrates in drinking water
Environmentally unsustainable
• Biodiversity losses, water pollu8on, soil degrada8on, GHG emissions,
unsustainable use of natural resources, low resilience …
Social inequiCes
• Poverty, disempowerment …
Neglect of cultural values
! Directly associated with current food systems based on
industrial agriculture

4. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017

5. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Outcomes of industrial
agriculture: Vicious cycles

6. A different paradigm:
diversified agroecological systems
◦ Economic
◦ Environmental
◦ Health
◦ Social
◦ Cultural
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
International Congress of Nutrition, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 15-10-2017

7. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Different pathways:
! common goal

8. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Economic outcomes of
diversified agroecological systems
◦ Produc8vity ! =
◦ Income ! +
◦ Resilience and stability ! +++

9. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Environmental outcomes
◦ Keep/put carbon in the soil: turns
agriculture into a solu8on rather than a
problem
◦ Boost biodiversity
◦ Restore degraded land
◦ Improve ecosystem services
◦ Water and nutrient cycling
◦ Pollina8on
◦ Pest and disease management

10. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Diversified agroecological
systems: Virtuous cycles

11. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
NutriIon and health outcomes
◦ Avoids the nega8ve health outcomes of industrial
agriculture: pes8cides/an8bio8cs/nitrates
◦ Diverse, healthy diets
◦ Increased levels of beneficial nutrients, such as
omega 3 faOy acids, and an8oxidants such as
polyphenols…

12. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Social and Cultural outcomes
" Social:
" More employment
" Employment throughout the year
" Closer links with consumers
" Cultural:
" Cul8va8on of diversity of tradi8onal crops
" Integra8on of tradi8onal knowledge

13. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
InnovaIon in agroecology
Agroecology is knowledge intensive and requires:
" understanding complex interac8ons between different
species in agroecosystems
" Innova8on in biological control of pests and diseases
" Social innova8on

14. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
A major quesIon
Why do we not see a major transi8on towards
diversified agroecological systems, given the
expanding evidence that they can deliver on all
dimensions of sustainable food systems?
! The poli8cal economy of food systems

15. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
What prevents change: 8 Lock-ins

16. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Market concentraIon
in mulIple sectors
• 3 companies control 60% of commercial seed market.
• 7 companies control majority of fer8lizer sales.
• 3 companies share 71% of agrochemical market.
• 4 firms account for 97% of private R&D in poultry.
• 4 firms control up to 90% of the global grain trade.

17. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017

18. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Changing
the paradigm

19. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Measuring what maRers!

20. Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
RecommendaIons
# Develop new indicators for sustainable food systems.
# Shi` public support towards diversified agroecological
produc8on systems.
# Support short circuits & alternaCve retail infrastructures.
# Use public procurement to support local agroecological
produce.
# Strengthen movements that unify diverse consCtuencies
around agroecology.
# Mainstream agroecology and holis8c food systems approaches
into educaCon and research agendas.
# Develop food planning processes and ‘food policies’ at all
levels.
# Support on-farm management of agrobiodiversity

21. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Different pathways, common goal

22. Emile A. Frison – IPES FOOD
Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems. G-STIC Conference. Brussels, 23-10-2017
Thank you!
www.ipes-food.org