Agroecology Offers Model for "New Green Revolution"

Agroecology, the application of ecological science to the study, design and management of sustainable agriculture, can offer a model of agricultural development to meet the food challenge. However, it is necessary to assess the market and political obstacles that hamper its development. This was forwarded by Olivier De Schutter of Gaetan Vanloqueren in an article The New Revolution: How 21st century science can feed the world published in the journal Solutions.

In addition to ecological principles of agroecological systems that include enhancing biological and genetic diversification on cropland, experts are looking into integration of food and agricultural systems. The scaling up of existing agroecological practices is achievable, says Schutter. He proposed key principles, among them: better targeting of the needs of smallholders; redistribution of public goods based on food security policies; and performance indicators that assesses impacts of new technologies, resource efficiency,and empowerment of beneficiaries.

The paper suggests that "farmers-in-chief" can make the new paradigm on agriculture, food and hunger a reality" and that strategies can help "shape productive, sustainable, healthy food systems for the 21st century."

 View the full article at http://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/node/971