Abstract
Agriculture in Europe results in the production of food for both the European population and for the export sector. Significant environmental and social problems have emerged with the intensification of European agriculture. These include the loss of biodiversity, the contamination of soils, water, and food with pesticides, and the eutrophication of water bodies. Industrialized agricultural and food systems are also a major contributing factor in the decline of farm numbers, and the high use of antibiotics has led to serious human health problems. In this respect, agroecology can provide insights into important pathways and guide the design, development, and promotion of the transition towards sustainable farming and food systems. An analysis of the major challenges for the amplification of agroecology in Europe was carried out by 310 stakeholders in a World Café exercise and 23 sessions and workshops during the Agroecology Europe Forum 2017. The different challenges that were identified can be grouped into seven categories: (1) definition and concepts; (2) education, training, and knowledge sharing; (3) research approach and funding; (4) policies; (5) productivity and practices; (5) food systems and consumer awareness; and (6) co-optation. To address these challenges, the following key actions are recommended: (1) to develop a common understanding of agroecology; (2) to enhance education in agroecology and knowledge exchange; (3) to invest in agroecological research; (4) to develop policies enhancing agroecology; (5) to support new and existing agroecological practices; (6) to transform food systems; and (7) to strengthen communication and alliances. In this paper we present and discuss these recommendations for pathways and actions to develop sustainable agro-food systems in Europe through agroecology.
Highlights
While Europe produces part of the food for its population, it has become a major importer of soybean, vegetables and fruits, using large areas of agricultural land outside the continent
Major challenges for the development of sustainable agriculture and food systems, and the amplification of agroecology, as well as the actions needed to promote it, were highlighted by 310 stakeholders in a plenary ‘World Café’ exercise, as well as 23 other sessions and workshops during the first Agroecology Europe Forum, organised in Lyon, France, in October 2017
A related challenge is the intensive lobby of large corporations for a favourable legal and economic framework for industrialized, large-scale, standardized, and specialized agricultural and food systems, which work in opposition to the diversification inherent in agroecology [39]
Summary
While Europe produces part of the food for its population, it has become a major importer of soybean, vegetables and fruits, using large areas of agricultural land outside the continent. It gives priority to action research, holistic and participatory approaches, and transdisciplinarity including different knowledge systems As a practice, it is based on sustainable use of local renewable resources, local farmers’ knowledge and priorities, wise use of biodiversity to provide ecosystem services and resilience, and solutions that provide multiple benefits (environmental, economic, social) from local to global. It is based on sustainable use of local renewable resources, local farmers’ knowledge and priorities, wise use of biodiversity to provide ecosystem services and resilience, and solutions that provide multiple benefits (environmental, economic, social) from local to global As a movement, it defends smallholders and family farming, farmers and rural communities, food sovereignty, local and short marketing chains, diversity of indigenous seeds and breeds, healthy and quality food.”.
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