The Brussels Development Briefing n. 59 on “Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems” organised by CTA, the European Commission/EuropeAid, the ACP Secretariat, CONCORD and IPES-FOOD was held on Wednesday 15 January 2020 (9h00-13h00) at the ACP Secretariat, Avenue Georges Henri 451, 1200 Brussels. The briefing brought various perspectives and experiences on agroecological systems to support agricultural transformation. Experts presented trends and prospects for agroecological approaches and what it implies for the future of the food systems. Successes and innovative models in agroecology in different parts of the world and the lessons learned for upscaling them were also discussed.

1. 1
Brussels Policy Briefing n. 59
15 January 2020
AGROECOLOGY TO MEET THE SDGs:
SCALING UP AGROECOLOGY INITIATIVE

2. It is no longer feasible to look at agricultural livelihoods, food
and the management of natural resources separately. A new
agricultural approach must achieve multiple benefits beyond
production, to ensure sufficient, safe and nutritious food as
well as a stable multifunctional landscape.
Agroecology is a key part of the global response to the raising
challenges.

4. Scaling up Agroecology Initiative
Transforming food and agricultural systems in support of the SDGs
 Launched in April 2018 by FAO, IFAD, WFP, CBD, UNDP, UNEP and
WHO.
 In response to 2030 Agenda, which calls for a transformation in food
and agricultural systems.

5. The Scaling up Agroecology Initiative
Accompany and support national agroecology transition processes;
Framework for concerted action with other UN Agencies and partners;
Works on target countries for implementation: Mexico, India, Senegal
Multi-stakeholder and trans-disciplinary approaches
Agreed Work Plan with 3 focus areas
1. Knowledge and innovations
2. Policy processes
3. Building connections

6. Agroecology embraces the spirit of the 2030 Agenda
 Achieving multiple
objectives through
integrated practices and
coherent cross-sectoral
policies
Innovative solutions to
interrelated
challenges
poverty, hunger, malnutrition, rural
abandonment, environmental
degradation, climate change
 Placing people at the
center
Empowering
stakeholders to be
critical agents of change
knowledge and experience from:
women, youth, food producers, traders,
consumers, policymakers, scientists
 Enabling countries to
achieve several SDGs

7. The Ten Elements of Agroecology
 A conceptual holistic framework to characterize agroecology within FAO’s work
 Based on 2014-2018 regional and international fora
 Complemented with scientific literature review
 Recently endorsed by FAO Membership: higher legitimacy

8. What needs to happen for agroecology to emerge?
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE
Intl. Org.
Donors
Governments
Acknowledge need to transform Food and Ag. systems
through integrated holistic approaches (AE)
Coherent and consistent policy frameworks
(promoting agroecology through policies and discouraging
unsustainable agriculture)
Boost investments and incentives (public and DevCo)
for agroecological transitions

9. What needs to happen for agroecology to emerge?
CO-CREATION OF KNOWLEDGE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
Research
Academia
Adv. Serv.
Education
Invest in participatory creation and dissemination of
agroecological knowledge (engage with Prod. Org.)
Build context-specific curricula on AE in higher and
formal education
Institutional innovation in extension and AS systems
to include agroecological approaches
Promote horizontal learning/innovation platforms
among farmers and researchers

10. What needs to happen for agroecology to emerge?
CIRCULAR AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMIES
Intl. Org.
Donors
Governments
Ensure infrastructure for local agroecological systems
Use public purchase power to foster transitions (link
public procurement to local AE production, School Feeding)
Promote low-cost participatory guarantee systems
Prioritize short food circuits, proximity and trust
through direct producer consumer exchanges
Build markets that recognize diversified production
Support Producer Organizations to fit mkt. demand

11. What is FAO doing?
 Concerting action within UN Agencies and global agenda (2030 Agenda
and relevant commitments)
 Facilitating participatory policy dialogues for cohesive policy changes
 Implementing bottom-up stocktaking to ensure efficiency and synergies
 Consolidating and disseminating empirical evidence
 Designing field projects in connection to key priorities (FSN, CC, SFS,
Land/Soil restoration)
 Ensuring harmonized frameworks in line with AE’s holistic nature (10
Elements)
 Advocating for increased investments and partnerships towards AE
 Working with a diversity of actors to promote agroecology at all levels,
 Supporting countries in achieving SDGs through agroecology.

12. Thank you!
http://www.fao.org/agroecology/home/en/

13. Agroecology embraces the spirit of the 2030 Agenda

14. Agroecology embraces the spirit of the 2030 Agenda

15. Agroecology embraces the spirit of the 2030 Agenda