Agroecological Transition Research Articles

Exploring the role of a social carrier in advancing agroecology and territorial autonomy

ABSTRACT The practice of agroecology has been promoted as a promising pathway to improve environmental and human well-being. Previous research has shown that farm size is often related to factors that can help or hinder agroecological practice use, but context is key. Here, we examine the relationship between farm size and the use of agroecological practices by assessing 596 management plans for farms associated with the Brazilian participatory agroecology network Rede Ecovida. In contrast to other studies, we found that the probability of using agroecological practices generally did not differ by farm size. We draw on interviews with agroecological actors to contextualize these findings and characterize the relationship between farm size and agroecology, both as a set of practices and a social movement. We suggest that, in this case, the lack of a relationship between farm size and agroecological practices might be explained by Rede Ecovida’s role as a “social carrier” that advances agroecological principles and practices in the pursuit of territorial, or actual, autonomy. This study highlights the importance of the socio-organizational dimensions of agroecological transitions and suggests that increased support should be directed to social networks and participatory certification models to encourage scaling agroecology across diverse farm types and sizes.

From typology to criteria considered by farmers: what explains agroecological practice implementation in North-Sudanian Burkina Faso?

Cropping systems in the North-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso face significant challenges related to poor yields, declining soil fertility and harsh climatic conditions. Together these necessitate a shift toward more sustainable farming practices. Agroecology aims to enhance yields while minimizing environmental harm through the use of ecological functions and has been promoted by researchers and farmers’ organizations as a solution. However, its implementation remains limited. This study investigated the criteria farmers consider when implementing agroecological practices at the farm level and how these criteria and their implementation are influenced by farm characteristics. Data collection methods included the serious game TAKIT, together with baseline and complementary household surveys (108 farmers each). Farm diversity was analyzed using a statistical typology. The influence of farm types, farm structural variables and the village location on (1) whether or not agroecological practices were implemented and (2) the criteria considered by farmers was explored. Four distinct farm types were identified: low resource endowed farms relying on off-farm income, low resource endowed farms relying on livestock income, medium resource endowed farms relying on agricultural and livestock income, and high resource endowed farms with diverse sources of income. There were no significant differences in the implementation of agroecological practices across farm types. Crop rotations were the most frequently implemented practice (by 91% of the study farmers), while the 2-by-2 line intercropping of sorghum-cowpea was the least implemented (9% of farmers). Implementation of zai pits varied significantly between villages, with farmers in Nagreonkoudogo more likely to use them than those in Tanvousse, due to differing soil characteristics. Farmers considered several criteria when deciding whether to implement agroecological practices, including the ability to improve yield and preserve soil. Constraints to their implementation included a lack of knowledge and their high labor requirements. These criteria did not differ across farm types, likely because they stem from shared environmental constraints or conditions. The study highlights the complexity of agroecological transitions in sub-Saharan Africa, and illustrates the need to adequately consider contextual conditions. The co-design of new practices, and the redesign of existing ones, should align with criteria considered by farmers.

Exploring how milk production, body weight and body condition dynamics affect reproductive success after artificial insemination in dairy goats

In the context of agroecological transition, breeding females with robust reproductive performance, leading to prolonged lactation sequences, is valuable for farmers. This study aimed to explore the relationship between artificial insemination (AI) success and phenotypic lactation curves that serve as proxies for key biological functions in Alpine and Saanen goats. Using data from two French experimental farms (1996-2021), the study analyzed time series data on milk yield (MY), body weight (BW), and sternal body condition score (BCS_S). These data were modeled at the lactation scale to characterize dynamic profiles and create clusters. Each phenotypic lactation curve was evaluated with three levels of detail: cluster membership, synthetic indicators, and model parameters. To investigate AI success, three datasets were used: 638 lactations with complete MY, BW, and BCS_S data; 1,359 lactations with MY and BW; and separate sets with 1,731 MY and 795 BCS_S records. A mixed logistic regression model (year as a random effect) assessed the relationship between AI success and phenotypic lactation curve characteristics. Results showed that for primiparous goats, AI success was influenced by MY clusters (p<0.05), while in multiparous goats, MY and BCS_S clusters did not influence AI success. However, indicators such as persistency (p<0.001) and BW repletion speed (p<0.001) were significant. Overall, the lactation curve shape was more important to AI success than milk production level, offering insights for enhancing reproductive performance in dairy goats.

Agroecological performance of smallholder dairy cattle systems in the Peruvian Amazon

CONTEXTIn Peru, silvopastoral systems have been included as a national measure to address deforestation and mitigate carbon emissions. Limited studies have assessed the sustainability of mixed livestock-crop systems using tools that address multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). OBJECTIVEWe assessed the sustainability of smallholder dairy farms in the Peruvian Amazon as affected by system type (silvopastoral or conventional) and herd size (medium or large) using the Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Furthermore, we explored the linkages among TAPE indicators including the 10 Elements of Agroecology (EA), an overall evaluation scale (Characterization of Agroecological Transition; CAET), and 11 SDG-linked Core Criteria of Performance (CCP). METHODSTwenty-two farmers of the San Martin region were surveyed. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and fitted to linear and quadratic functions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSSilvopastoral systems showed a greater agroecological transition than conventional systems (69.0 vs. 60.2; CAET mean) regardless of herd size.Results suggested that EA and CCP were essentially independent of each other if linearity was assumed. However, concave quadratic relationships were detected between the CAET and 4 CCP: Farm Income, Agricultural Net Income, Dietary Diversity, and Women's Empowerment. For these CCP, depressed values for farms with intermediate CAET (60 to 69) suggested that they neither reap the full benefits of agroecological practices found mainly in silvopastoral farms (CAET >70) nor the full benefits of conventional practices (CAET <60). SIGNIFICANCEThe implementation of agroecological practices in smallholder systems may support positive economic and social sustainability outcomes.

Les systèmes agroforestiers du domaine soudanien du Togo : historique et facteurs explicatifs de la dynamique évolutive

The aim of this study is to analyse the evolutionary trajectories of these agroforestry systems in order to identify the main drivers of change that influence their resilient and sustainable management in the Sudanian zone of Togo. Specifically, the aim is to: analyse the main changes that have occurred since 1960; characterise the evolutionary trajectories; and determine the drivers of change that could help to understand the evolution of these systems. The data were collected using a retrospective and prospective diagnostic survey of a sample of farmers, including resource persons, following the Historical-Sociological Investigation Method by means of semi-structured interviews. A Principal Component Analysis coupled with an Ascending Hierarchical Classification was used to study the main stages in the development of these systems. Despite having adopted various measures to promote their adaptability, profound changes have marked the evolution of these systems, testing their limits in the face of these challenges. In this context of adaptability, the results reveal two major transition models: a ‘model of transition from indigenous agricultural systems to extensive and sustainable systems’, dominant in ecological zone I with 47.44% of the systems surveyed, and an ‘agro-ecological transition model towards sustainable, innovative and resilient systems’, dominant in ecological zone II with 52.56% of the said systems. In this duality of agroforestry system management models, it is essential to analyse the evolutionary trajectories and drivers of change in order to draw up appropriate agricultural and environmental policies, with a view to the possible transplantation of these trajectories for sustainable and resilient agriculture both within and between ecological zones.

The Agroecological Transition of Farms in the Ecuadorian Andes Through the Lens of the Main Agroecological Structure

ABSTRACTMany sectors of society have urged a transition from modern conventional agriculture to more sustainable alternatives. One of the most frequently mentioned is agroecology, due to its potential to improve soil health, promote agrobiodiversity, food sovereignty, and regenerate ecosystem functions. However, complex systems such as farms demand the transformation of a broad set of characteristics and practices for its transition. These factors are, in turn, conditioned by social, educational, economic, and political factors. Therefore, a clear understanding of the main drivers behind the management of farms is vital for supporting an effective transition. This research applied the main agroecological structure (MAS) methodology, which employs 10 indicators (5 biological, 5 cultural) to evaluate the degree of connectivity of a farm with the landscape, the agrobiodiversity present in living fences and crops, and the practices employed by farmers to support and preserve it. Finally, the MAS methodology gives farms a score from 0 to 100, understood as the degree of development of its agroecological structure, or as the “resilience” of a system in agroecological transition. Measurements were performed in 20 farms with different degrees of agroecological transition, in five locations of the northern‐central Andean region of Ecuador. The farms had a moderately developed structure on average (71.05 over 100), and MAS variation was not correlated to the size of the farm, nor with its degree of connectivity with the surrounding landscape. It was rather significantly related to the geographic location of the study site. One of the main differences between study sites was a more extended prevalence of cooperation and development programs, suggesting a strong connection between the development of agroecological practices and capacity building processes. For this reason, the author proposes that MAS measurements should be complemented with deeper analyses of the capacity‐building background of each site. This study aims to establish a baseline of the MAS in Ecuador, and to provide new tools for monitoring and supporting agroecological transition.

Reflections on Agroecology and Social Justice in Malwa-Nimar

Recent literature has positioned agroecological transitions as a way of repairing the ‘metabolic and epistemic rift’ brought about by industrial agriculture. Deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness and interpenetration between humans and nature has been at the heart of much thought about agroecology. Social and epistemic justice have been incorporated as almost inherent to the definition of agroecology for many involved in theorising about it worldwide, especially thought coming out of Latin America on ‘emancipatory agroecologies’. In view of the historical inequalities in agriculture in Malwa-Nimar, India, along caste, gender and class lines, this research seeks to explore the extent to which agroecology as currently practiced is emancipatory, and what challenges exist to overcoming structural inequalities. Findings show that, while more privileged farmers are able to find ways to repair the metabolic and position themselves as agents of epistemic change, sustaining their agroecological practice within current economic structures makes them dependent on relationships with labour and networks that may reify historical social and epistemic inequalities. This points to a need to embed the agroecology movement in a larger process of systems change in the region that seeks social-justice-centred rural transformation.

Principles, barriers and enablers to agroecological animal production systems: a qualitative approach based on five case studies

Agroecology is among the most promising options to alleviate the negative impacts of animal farming on the environment and build local food systems based on ethically-acceptable production methods. So far, most of the research on agroecological animal production systems was conducted at farm scale, and the potential of agroecological principles addressing social dimensions and food system level approaches has been underexplored. Here, we analyze how the whole set of agroecological principles was mobilized in five case studies on grassland-based, silvopastoral or integrated crop-livestock systems in Switzerland, Guadeloupe, French uplands, Bulgaria and Andalucía. Following a multilevel perspective, we propose a new eight-category framework to categorize barriers and enablers in these different socioecological contexts, and discuss the implications of these results for scaling out and scaling up agroecological niche innovations in animal production areas. Though we could observe activities related to each agroecological principle in each case study, the relative importance of each principle differed. For instance, in Switzerland the focus was on ecological processes operating in multi-species mixtures, and therefore on mobilizing principles of input reduction, synergy, soil health and biodiversity, while in Andalucía, a civil society organization, a regional agricultural office, researchers, and farmers mainly mobilized transformational principles at the food system level, e.g. social values, connectivity and participation. Such contrasts highlight how agroecology allows different equilibria among principles, adapting to the needs of farmers and local communities. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of technology were frequently reported as barriers to agroecological transitions. Policy needs to go beyond the mere support of agroecological practices on livestock farms and adopt a systems approach looking downstream and upstream if it is to enable a large-scale agroecological transition with EU public policies. Market as an enabler was linked to direct sales and short distribution circuits, generating added value to the benefit of local communities. Most agroecological systems benefited from a positive image among citizens and consumers, but cultural barriers resulted from change in product characteristics, e.g. veal meat color in dairy system that promote long-lasting cow-calf contact. All case studies were very advanced in the social dimensions of agroecology, and cooperation networks were always reported among the enablers for scaling out. The multi-actor network approach fostered knowledge exchange between farmers, researchers and citizens, and allowed participants to share values. Long-term commitment from local practitioners is required so that co-designed solutions are implemented, which can strengthen the economic and social viability of animal production areas.

Dynamics of legume Cropping and Agro-ecological Transition in the Cotton Savannah Zones of West Africa: the Case of Koumbia District of Burkina Faso

Aims: This paper shows the contribution of participatory research to upgrade the integration of legumes into cropping systems. Place and Duration of Study: The investigation is based on survey data collected in 2008 and 2011 (two reference years) and 2021 and 2022 (current situation) in the village of Koumbia in western Burkina Faso. Methodology: Data was collected through surveys and field measurements. The surveys were conducted with a sample of fifty (50) volunteer farmers. In 2008, 2011 and 2022, the same questionnaire was administered to all 50 farmers. Field measurements with GPS (Global Positioning System) were conducted on crop area. Results: The results show that the proportion of area under legumes crops increased by 77,38% after 15 years. Other legumes crops (Glycine max and Mucuna sp.) were introduced in addition to those previously grown (groundnuts and cowpeas) by farmers. Surface cropped in sorghum (35.36%) and millet (82.79%) declined while cotton and maize remain the main crops in the zone. The results on farmers’ perception show that they prefer single cropping of legume crops as their insertion modality in the existing farming systems compared to their association with cereals. Conclusion: The study shows that the role of legumes is increasing in the cropping system, and represents an opportunity to succeed in the agro-ecological transition, even though the intercropping of cereal/legume, which is put forward by the theoretical models of the agro-ecological transition, is still little practiced. The structuration of the legume sector can be a condition for achieving it.

A Methodological Framework to Enhance Potential Spatial Planning to Support Agroecological Transition at the Scale of Local Territories

Agroecological transition requires research and actions at the scale of local territories, in which agricultural activities interact with the environment and natural resources depending on a territory’s spatial configuration. To support the agroecological transition, there is an urgent need to design and implement new spatial configurations. For this, local public authorities in France can be considered as an interesting level of governance, because of their skills in spatial planning and their interest in agriculture, to ensure the ecological transition of their territory. However, new methodological frameworks need to be developed to support the design of new spatial configurations of territories, by constructing representations of the territory that consider both agricultural and socio-environmental issues, and by involving agricultural and non-agricultural stakeholders so that both can project themselves into the new spatial configurations. We developed a new methodological framework at the interface between landscape agronomy and landscape architects’ approaches, and experimented with applying this framework in the Urban Community of Dunkirk (UCD), which was performing a spatial planning approach called a Landscape Plan and proposing to create an Agricultural Park. The results show that the implementation of the methodological framework enabled the construction of a spatially explicit and place-based representation including the spatial issues of farming systems. These representations enable a local authority’s stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of the agricultural issues and consider changes in the spatial configuration of the Agricultural Park. In the discussion, we question the adaptation of the framework in rural territory and highlight the limitations of local authorities as the level of governance at which to address the agroecological transition at the territorial scale.

The political economy of agroecological transitions: key analytical dimensions

ABSTRACT There is a growing global interest in agroecology, yet agroecological transitions remain fraught with challenges. These include the need to reconfigure the productive and reproductive agrarian relations of unsustainable food systems and to rethink how we work with ecosystems. Using a political economy approach, we propose five key interrelated dimensions for analyzing agroecological transitions: (i) social metabolism; (ii) labor dynamics; (iii) markets and resources; (iv) social organization; and (iv) policies and politics. While these dimensions are often analyzed separately and to varying degrees, we argue that together they contribute to a comprehensive analysis of the political economy of agroecological transitions.

Farmers’ limited perceptions of the role of ecological processes in crop production, a potential obstacle to agroecological transition

Industrialized agriculture has strong impacts on ecosystem functioning. However, despite public policies, incentives and scientific warnings, intensive agriculture remains the main model. Agroecology, as a way to produce food while relying on ecological processes and reducing negative externalities, is considered as a sustainable alternative. The literature on agroecological transitions increasingly focuses on the perceptions that farmers have of ecological processes, supposing that the more farmers perceive the interests of ecological processes for production, the more they will implement sustainable farming practices. In this research, we tested the hypothesis that an obstacle to an agroecological transition is that farmers have little awareness of the reliance of food production on the natural functions of ecosystems. We thus address three issues in this article: first, the weight farmers gave to ecological processes in farming production itself; second, the roles of on-farm experiments (OFEs) or agri-environmental schemes (AESs) as drivers of this perception of ecological processes; and third, the links between the perception of ecological processes and the definitions of agroecology given by farmers. We interviewed 78 farmers representative of an intensive cereal plain in western France about what they perceive as drivers of crop production and of soil fertility and the links they perceived between hedges and crop production. Our results show that farmers perceive climate, inputs and technical aspects of crop production as more important drivers of crop yields than ecological processes. By contrast in non-productive areas of the farm, the perception of the importance of ecological processes was greater for questions relating to hedges. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that AESs rather than OFEs positively affected farmers' perceptions of ecological processes in sustaining farming. Nevertheless, despite the fact that half of the farmers related agroecology to benefits in ecosystem functioning, they had limited perceptions of the positive role of ecological processes in sustaining farming. Our study therefore supports our hypothesis that limited perceptions of the role of ecosystem functions in farming could be an obstacle to an agroecological transition, as agroecology and ecological processes are seen as beneficial for ecosystems but not for farming production. Our study also suggests that open-ended and indirect questions rather than direct methodologies can bring new insights to our understanding of farmers’ perceptions.

Livestock production systems in wetlands of Argentina: assessing transition toward sustainable agroecological systems-

ABSTRACT The magnitude of the current environmental degradation requires an urgent restructuring of food production systems. In this sense, agroecology is considered a sustainable approach, because it provides tools to guide transition toward sustainable production systems and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Nevertheless, it is imperative to possess evidence regarding the implementation of agroecology and current extent. The goals of this study are to compare two instruments for assessing agroecological transitions, to measure the agroecological performance of extensive livestock systems in slightly disturbed wetlands, identify agroecological elements that differentiate farm categories, and identify relationships among these elements. We evaluated 19 representative extensive livestock production ranches from central-western Argentina. We used the Characterization of Agroecological Transition (CAET) from the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Moreover, CAET was modified through interaction with ranchers and technicians (Adapted CAET). The results obtained with both tools revealed that the agroecological performance of extensive livestock systems is currently in transition, with an overall average of 56.9%. This suggests that there is a group of farmers implementing agroecological strategies which have the potential to drive the transition to achieve the SDGs. This research provides valuable knowledge for applying agroecology principles in minimally impacted wetlands.

Long‐Term Effects of Arable and Tree Cropping Systems on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Agroecological Transition Zone

ABSTRACTContinuous cropping can affect soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and litter decomposition, but research on smallholder farms in Africa is limited. This study, conducted from 2020 to 2023 in Ghana's forest‐savanna transition zone, examined four cropping systems: continuous maize monocrop (M), maize rotated with legumes (ML), young cashew intercropped with maize or legumes (YCM/L), and mature cashew (MC). The objective was to assess the long‐term impact of the cropping systems on soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N) stocks, and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition rates using the tea bag protocol. Results showed significant variability in SOC and N stocks across the systems. At a 0–15 cm depth, SOC in the MC and M systems was 160% and 149% higher than in the YCM/L system. At 15–30 cm, SOC in the M and MC systems was 86% and 132% higher than in YCM/L. Soil nitrogen stocks followed a similar trend, with MC and M systems showing 94%–199% higher values than YCM/L at both depths. SOM decomposition rates for green and rooibos tea in the MC and ML systems were statistically similar after 90 days of incubation (p &gt; 0.05). This study, the first to use the tea bag protocol in Ghanaian soils, revealed that mature cashew and sustainable practices, such as adding maize stover, can enhance SOC and N stocks in highly weathered tropical soils. These findings underscore the potential for specific cropping systems to improve soil health on smallholder farms.

Agronomic and Phytochemical Characterization of Chickpea Local Genetic Resources for the Agroecological Transition and Sustainable Food Systems

Agronomic and Phytochemical Characterization of Chickpea Local Genetic Resources for the Agroecological Transition and Sustainable Food Systems

Tomato dry farming as an agroecological model for California’s drought resilient future: Farmers’ perspectives and experiences

Small, diversified farms on California’s Central Coast have been dry farming for decades, allowing farmers to use water stored in soils from winter rains to grow tomatoes and other vegetables with little-to-no irrigation in summers without rainfall. As recent water shortages in California have forced a reckoning with the precariousness of the state’s water supply, policy groups and the general public have become increasingly interested in dry farming as a promising means of achieving water conservation goals. Academic research on this practice, however, has been scarce. Amid growing urgency to develop low-water agricultural systems in the state, we interviewed 10 Central Coast dry farmers, representing over half of the commercial dry farm operations in the region where this practice was developed, to collaboratively answer 2 central research questions: (1) What business and land stewardship practices characterize successful tomato dry farming on California’s Central Coast? (2) What is the potential for dry farming to expand beyond its current adoption while maintaining its identity as a diversified practice that benefits small-scale operations? We summarize farmers’ wisdom into 9 themes about current dry farm practice, its potential for expansion and future opportunities. We also synthesize farmer-stated environmental constraints on dry farm feasibility into a map of suitable areas in California. As we consider how dry farming might expand to new areas and operations, we highlight dry farming’s history as an agroecological alternative to industrial farming in the region and the need for careful policy planning to maintain that identity. In examining this California Central Coast dry farming system, we ask if and how it can enhance the viability of nonindustrial farming operations as the food system adapts to less water availability. Because policies that encourage dry farm expansion could change economic landscapes in which dry farming operates, we caution that well-intentioned policies could edge small growers out of dry farm markets if not carefully designed. At the same time, we emphasize the opportunity for dry farm tomato systems to model an agroecological transition toward water savings in California.

Semi-natural agroecosystems. challenge of the functional redesign of biodiversity during the agroecological transition towards sustainable food

Various documents show that the design and management of agroecosystems, according to the principles of agroecology and the functions of biodiversity, facilitates the transition to sustainable food. Experiences in the participation of projects advised and facilitated in family farming systems allowed us to consider that humans, who for many years have been consumers of a few agricultural products, integrate agricultural fruits that have developed in semi-natural agroecosystems into their diet. This article discusses that sustainable food should integrate semi-natural foods, as a complement to the diet, due to their importance in digestion, nutrition and immunity to certain diseases.

Learning from farmers on potentials and limits for an agroecological transition: a participatory action research in Western Sicily

Learning from farmers on potentials and limits for an agroecological transition: a participatory action research in Western Sicily

Backcasting supports cross-sectoral collaboration and social-technical innovation bundling: case studies in agri-food systems

There is a clear and urgent call to transform our food systems as a critical nexus to tackle ongoing global climate, biodiversity, equity, and nutrition crises. Many food and agricultural innovations are being developed and scaled but these innovations often target sector-specific problems and remain disconnected from the more complex demand for transformative change at scale. To bridge this demand for systemic change within the innovation ecosystem, initiatives are applying various approaches such as visioning, holistic assessments, innovation portfolio management and multistakeholder co-creation. Here we report on insights from applying a food systems tailored backcasting approach in a diversity of settings since 2021, including a national food system dialogue, a youth business innovation challenge, a landscape multi-stakeholder platform, a public-private sector co-learning session, an agroecological transitions program, and a hybrid food systems university course for graduate students and global professionals. We thereby build on existing literature and case studies of how change happens (or does not happen) and aim to use those insights to support food systems change makers. Across these settings, the backcasting approach asks participants to connect innovations with broader systems-change visions, to anticipate tradeoffs for multiple food system outcomes and population groups, and to cross sectoral boundaries. The use cases demonstrate that the backcasting process contributes to changes in views, practices and structures that participants work with. Specifically, it supports moving beyond “silver bullet” innovation approaches, the bundling of social and technical innovations, and building action-oriented cross-sectoral bridges. Food systems change is complex and innovations alone are insufficient to address its complexity. But innovations can play a positive role if connected to more holistic systems-change processes and goals. Considering strengths and limitations of the backcasting approach, the diversity of practical applications supports its potential to connect innovations to holistic food systems visions, to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and to bundle social and technical innovations for desirable food systems change.

Moving toward a fairer access to land fostering agroecological transition? A decade of legal change and reframing of debates around soil and climate in France

Although farmland concentration receives narrower media coverage than land grab, it goes hand in hand with impactful environmental and demographic consequences. This article examines the case of France, one of the European countries with the highest level of farmland market control. It questions to what extent the regulation of access to land is adapted to initiate an agroecological and food transition. Its objective is to analyze why and how land concentration has been reframed in the past decade, by which types of stakeholders, building on which sources of legitimacy, and with which legal strategies and results. The theoretical framework combines the sociology of controversies and agenda-setting with a land justice-based approach. This article builds on a textual hermeneutics of 3 documental corpora encompassing a press review with 172 items, 112 documents (press releases, opinion pages, reports, notes, interviews, public speeches, amendment proposals, draft bills, laws, and decisions), and 3,409 tweets (those mentioning loi foncière or the #LoiFoncière hashtag, and those quoting, retweeting, or replying (to) them). These data were contextualized using sporadic participant observation. Since 2013, and more specifically since 2018, 2 networks of left-wing politicians, left-wing farmers’ unions, and civil society nongovernmental organizations have brought land justice concerns up-to-date to put farmland concentration on the political agenda. However, only minor progress has been made. A major factor in this is the chronological gap between, on the one hand, the successive reframings of the issue (from soil quality and climate change mitigation lenses), the proposed legal devices, the degree of projected legal change and, on the other hand, the pace at which the window of opportunity for a new land law has opened and closed. Indeed, the land imaginaries of land commons that underpin the agroecological transition are not yet sufficiently socially legitimate to be enshrined in law.