Agroecological Production Systems Research Articles

Agroecology: A Promising Path Towards the Sustainable Transition of Food Systems

Objective: Uncover the transformative potential of agroecology in shaping sustainable food systems, with a particular focus on its pivotal role in transitioning from conventional systems to sustainable practices rooted in agroecological principles.   Theoretical Framework: The current scenario presents alternatives to industrial agriculture, which prioritizes mass food production for global markets. In this context, agroecology emerges as a beacon of hope, championing short marketing circuits, fair trade, and a deep respect for local culture and the environment. The sharing of agroecological experiences, particularly in the context of family farming, offers a promising path toward agricultural systems that diverge from the traditional industrial model.   Method: The systematic review used scientific articles published between 2011 and 2023, selected from the Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases.   Results and Discussion: Agroecological production systems present themselves as a viable alternative to industrial agriculture, demonstrating that agroecological principles have the potential to promote healthier and more sustainable agri-food systems. Family farming plays a crucial role in this context, meeting the goals of agroecology.   Research Implications: It highlights the promising role of agroecology in promoting family farming by achieving sustainable food production and supporting the demand for healthier foods.   Originality/Value: This paper contributes to understanding the relationship between agroecology and agri-food systems, providing insights into agroecological practices, including sustainability in food production.

Diversity of the Maize Root Endosphere and Rhizosphere Microbiomes Modulated by the Inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270 in a Milpa System.

Milpa is an agroecological production system based on the polyculture of plant species, with corn featuring as a central component. Traditionally, the milpa system does not require the application of chemicals, and so pest attacks and poor growth in poor soils can have adverse effects on its production. Therefore, the application of bioinoculants could be a strategy for improving crop growth and health; however, the effect of external inoculant agents on the endemic microbiota associated with corn has not been extensively studied. Here, the objective of this work was to fertilize a maize crop under a milpa agrosystem with the PGPR Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270, evaluating its impact on the diversity of the rhizosphere (rhizobiome) and root endophytic (root endobiome) microbiomes of maize plants. The endobiome of maize roots was evaluated by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequencing, and the rhizobiome was assessed by metagenomic sequencing upon inoculation with the strain UM270. The results showed that UM270 inoculation of the rhizosphere of P. fluorescens UM270 did not increase alpha diversity in either the monoculture or milpa, but it did alter the endophytic microbiome of maize plant roots by stimulating the presence of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the genera Burkholderia and Pseudomonas (in a monoculture), whereas, in the milpa system, the PGPR stimulated greater endophytic diversity and the presence of genera such as Burkholderia, Variovorax, and N-fixing rhizobia genera, including Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium. No clear association was found between fungal diversity and the presence of strain UM270, but beneficial fungi, such as Rizophagus irregularis and Exophiala pisciphila, were detected in the Milpa system. In addition, network analysis revealed unique interactions with species such as Stenotrophomonas sp., Burkholderia xenovorans, and Sphingobium yanoikuyae, which could potentially play beneficial roles in the plant. Finally, the UM270 strain does not seem to have a strong impact on the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere, but it does have a strong impact on some functions, such as trehalose synthesis, ammonium assimilation, and polyamine metabolism. The inoculation of UM270 biofertilizer in maize plants modifies the rhizo- and endophytic microbiomes with a high potential for stimulating plant growth and health in agroecological crop models.

Organic matter fractions of soil aggregates under agroecological production systems in the southeast of Brazil

Organic matter fractions of soil aggregates under agroecological production systems in the southeast of Brazil

Contributions of participatory certification to the territorialization of agroecology

ABSTRACT Participatory certification, also known as Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), used to assess the compliance of organic or agroecological production systems, has been widely disseminated worldwide in the last ten years. In this study, we seek to analyze, based on the case of the Red de Productores y Consumidores “Comida sana y cercana” [Network of Producers and Consumers “Healthy and Local Food”], whether participatory certification can contribute to the territorialization of agroecology in the critical perspective of transforming agrifood systems. The researched network is located in the municipality of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, and has been using participatory certification for over 12 years. We analyzed published bibliographies about the network and documents generated by the Network, in addition to conducting observations and interviews. The experience of “Comida sana y cercana” shows that participatory certification is a methodology capable of intersecting the five levels of agroecological transition, from technical issues to social organization and the solidarity economy. The participatory certification is an instrument for the territorialization of agroecology, as it brings farmers closer to agroecological principles.

Management practices and incidence of pests in plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) crops. Consequences on the sustainability of the cropping systems

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) is one of the most important staple crops in the tropics, particularly in the Caribbean. Pests are the main constraint to plantain production and yield increases may be possible by improving pest management. However, there is a lack of data on these cropping systems and a need to identify new elements of improved production systems that can control pests in line with the principles of agroecological transition. In this study, we test the hypothesis that crops grown in good quality soils are less susceptible to pests. To this end, an agroecological diagnosis of the biological, physical, morphological and chemical soil conditions and the occurrence of pests, in particular plant-parasitic nematodes, was carried out on 21 plantain plots with contrasting management in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). After classifying these plots according to their management practices, from conventional to agroecological, we searched for relationships between cropping systems, soil quality and pests using a series of synthetic quality indices. Four different cropping systems were identified and compared: conventional intensive, intermediate, low-input and agroecological, according to the type and amount of agrochemicals used. Our data showed that the Chemical Index was significantly improved in the agroecological systems due to increases in pH, CEC, base saturation and total C and N content. The Morphological Index increased regularly from intensive to agroecological systems and was significantly higher in agroecological systems with higher proportions of biogenic aggregates. Soil macroinvertebrate communities were significantly influenced by production systems, with the highest values of the Macrofauna Index in low input and agroecological production systems. We also showed that plant parasitic nematodes were better regulated in agroecological production systems. Furthermore, the agroecological system achieved similar levels of crop production to conventional systems, without the use of pesticides. In addition, these agroecological cropping systems extend the duration of plantain plots, which is an indicator of the good health of these systems.

Matéria orgânica do solo em agregados biogênicos, intermediários e fisiogênicos sob manejo agroecológico

ABSTRACT Agroecological management can favor the improvement of soil attributes, especially soil organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregation. The objective of the study was to quantify the carbon contents of the humic and oxidizable fractions of SOM of aggregates from different origins from agroecological management systems. Five experimental areas located in the Integrated Agroecological Production System were evaluated: AFS – Agroforestry System; C-SUN – Coffee in full sun; C-SHA – Shaded coffee; AL-FLE – Cultivation in alleys of Flemingia macrophylla with green beans; and NT – No-tillage. The aggregates were separated, identified, and classified as to their origin or formation pathways into biogenic, intermediate, and physicogenic. The carbon contents of the humic fractions fulvic acid (C-FAF), humic acid (C-HAF) and humin (C-HUMF); and oxidizable fractions (F1 and F2, labile; and F3 and F4, recalcitrant) of SOM were determined. The greatest variations in the carbon values of the humic fractions were observed in the aggregates of the AFS, C-SUN and C-SHA systems. In relation to C-HUMF, the highest contents of this fraction were quantified in the biogenic and intermediate aggregates of the C-SUN, C-SHA and AL-FLE systems. The carbon contents of the oxidizable fractions of SOM showed variability between the management systems, mainly for the F1, F2 and F3 fractions in the aggregates under C-SUN and C-SHA. The C-SUN system showed a higher proportion of more humified and recalcitrant fractions of SOM when compared to the C-SHA system. The management practices maids in the agroecological systems of C-SHA, C-SUN and AFS promoted improvements in soil quality.

Entre a riqueza e a fome: condições para a promoção da segurança alimentar e nutricional nas capitais do Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the conditions for the promotion of food and nutrition security in three capitals of the southern region of Brazil. Methods: This is an evaluative research, which used an analysis and judgment matrix composed of 7 dimensions, 11 sub-dimensions, 27 indicators and 56 measures, which classified each of the elements of the matrix as excellent, good, regular or poor for the promotion of food and nutrition security in the three capitals. Data collection took place in public and freely accessible information systems. Results: The three capitals were evaluated as poor in their conditions for promoting food and nutrition security. Florianópolis and Porto Alegre presented less favorable conditions compared to Curitiba. Aspects related to universal access to adequate food and water, agroecological production systems and sustainable food supply, and traditional peoples and communities stood out negatively in the three capitals. Conclusion: Although the evaluated capitals present good socioeconomic indicators, the conditions for promoting food and nutrition security are still fragile, which is reflected in the inability to overcome hunger and food insecurity in the southern region of Brazil. The results indicate the need to qualify territorial strategies for food and nutrition security, considering different contexts, as a condition for guaranteeing the realization of the right to food with equity and priority for families and peoples in situations of social vulnerability.

Beyond the Genome: Genetically Modified Crops in Africa and the Implications for Genome Editing

ABSTRACTGenome editing — a plant‐breeding technology that facilitates the manipulation of genetic traits within living organisms — has captured the imagination of scholars and professionals working on agricultural development in Africa. Echoing the arrival of genetically modified (GM) crops decades ago, genome editing is being heralded as a technology with the potential to revolutionize breeding based on enhanced precision, reduced cost and increased speed. This article makes two interventions. First, it identifies the discursive continuity linking genome editing and the earlier technology of genetic modification. Second, it offers a suite of recommendations regarding how lessons learned from GM crops might be integrated into future breeding programmes focused on genome editing. Ultimately, the authors argue that donors, policy makers and scientists should move beyond the genome towards systems‐level thinking by prioritizing the co‐development of technologies with farmers; using plant material that is unencumbered by intellectual property restrictions and therefore accessible to resource‐poor farmers; and acknowledging that seeds are components of complex and dynamic agroecological production systems. If these lessons are not heeded, genome‐editing projects are in danger of repeating mistakes of the past.

Food-energy-water (FEW) nexus: Sustainable food production governance through system dynamics modeling

The transition challenge to sustainability is the governance of common use and property resources the commons. Climate change, as the prime mover of that transition processes, directly affects all sectors of society. Food production, and its relative resources – energy and water - is a relevant sector in the transition to sustainability, since it makes direct use of commons. Food production systems present different configurations and interrelations with the environment; however, they have as a similar character: the complexity regarding the interrelations with commons and with society. This complexity addresses the demand on understanding the dynamics of food, energy and water nexus (FEW Nexus) interrelated dimensions. In this context, this article models FEW Nexus using a System Dynamics Modelling (SDM) approach. The study was developed in the green belt of the peri-urban region of the city of São Paulo, located at the edge of the Atlantic Forest, a high-biodiversity forest in the south-eastern Brazil. The simulation of this complex system aims to support the sustainable governance policy of conventional and agroecological production systems. The innovative pattern of different food sustainable systems could be foresighted, from a set of socioeconomic and environmental multi-criteria ensemble of relevant indicators, as Water Footprint, Trophic State Index, Land Social Development Index, Carbon Footprint, Land Use Earnings. Policy tools, as Community Supported Agriculture strategies and Payment for Environmental Services are used to understand the different levels of sustainability under new innovative policies like them. The SDM tool enabled addressing predictive scenarios - seeing the interrelations and causalities of the set of indicators. The multi-criteria set of indicators modelling permits to understand the FEW Nexus sustainability level of the different food production systems. The results are strong guides to implementing strategies that lead to the dynamics of sustainable food systems, concerning FEW Nexus. SDM tool prove to be useful and effective in decision-making sustainable policy design processes and efficient alternatives in governance for sustainability and its transition process.

Homeopathic solutions induce production of winged forms in aphid

The aphids control (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) in kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is one of the main challenges for its production. This obstacle becomes greater in agroecological production systems. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the formation of winged individuals in colonies of B. brassicae aphids, when exposed to kale treated with homeopathic solutions. The treatments were resistant 5CH, susceptible attacked 5CH, aphid nosode 30CH, and the controls that are water (without dynamization) and distilled water + 70% ethanol 5CH, being applied every day for 15 days. Kale plants were inoculated with aphids and irrigated using homeopathic solutions. After 15 days of inoculation, the plants were removed from the bag and the number of winged forms and nymphs of B. brassicae was counted. Homeopathic preparation Resistant 5CH provided a smaller number of winged individuals and a larger number of nymphs per colony. The plants treated with the susceptible attacked 5CH homeopathy showed a higher number of winged aphids, but a reduced number of nymphs. Aphid nosode 30CH treatment was promising to Brevicoryne brassicae control in kale plants, as it induced polymorphism, presenting a greater number of winged aphids and a reduced number of nymphs per colony.

Spatial distribution of acidity components and oxidizable carbon fractions in a silvopastoral system

The silvopastoral system (SPS) stands out as an agroecological production system that has improved the soil's chemical quality. However, these chemical properties may have distinct changes with greater or lesser distances from the tree row tracks of the silvopastoral system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the distance of the soil sampling points from the eucalyptus tree rows in a 2-year silvopastoral system on acidity components and oxidizable organic carbon fractions of the soil, as well as to compare these chemical properties with the conventional pasture system and native Cerrado vegetation. In the silvopastoral system (SPS), the soil samples were collected at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 m of transverse distance from the eucalyptus tree row tracks. Soil samples collected in a conventional pasture area (CP) and a native Cerrado vegetation area (NV) were used as reference treatments. Soil samples were collected at depths from 0.0–0.10, 0.10–0.20, and 0.20–0.30 m. The acidity components (pH, Al3+ and H + Al) and oxidizable organic C fractions (F1: labile fraction; F2: moderately labile fraction; and F3: poorly labile fraction) were determined. The results showed that the lowest soil acidity level was observed at 2.5 and 10.0 m distances from the eucalyptus tree rows. However, the spatial distribution of soil sampling points to the eucalyptus tree rows in a 2-year silvopastoral system did not change the oxidizable fractions of the soil organic carbon. The 2-year silvopastoral system and native Cerrado vegetation area had the highest concentrations of organic carbon in the labile (F1) and poorly labile (F3) fractions in the soil profile compared to the conventional pasture system. A 2-year silvopastoral system in a low fertility tropical soil from the Brazilian Cerrado has not yet been able to improve the soil's chemical quality; therefore, further research should be carried out to investigate the medium and long-term effects of the silvopastoral system on the acidity components and oxidizable organic carbon fractions of the soil.

Territorial Approach and Rural Development Challenges: Governance, State and Territorial Markets

The way we produce food is at the heart of some of the current main global challenges. We are witnessing increasing social inequalities and the accentuation of hunger around the world, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. At the same time, malnutrition and effects of climate change are endangering both the health of people and nature, putting life and the planet itself at risk. In general, specialists agree that the solutions to the current crisis involve the transformation of hegemonic food production chains (globalized and industrialized) and the strengthening of more territorialized food systems. The present paper reflects on how the territorial approach (extensively promoted by the State in Latin America countries in the 21st century) can be collaboratively used to create territorial food markets that are more autonomous, sustainable, and connected with nature and territorial resources. Our hypothesis is that territorial development reinforces more sustainable food systems that increase the resilience of territories facing the current challenges of rural development. The methodology involves a thematic and selective literature review, the analysis of secondary indicators, and conducting online interviews. Our analysis focused on Latin America, one of the most advanced areas in territorial development policies. We situated our research in the Borborema Territory (Paraíba, Brazil), which is a significant case study for understanding the dynamics of territorialization (and deterritorialization) of agroecological production systems that are geared towards family farming. It is also, in our opinion, a concrete case that suggests how territorialized and more localized food systems show greater resilience in the face of adversity, which can be observed in the territorial actors’ ability to react to deterritorialization drivers that are emphasised in periods of crisis. Our main findings suggest that territorial development, by placing territory, resources, and territorial actors and institutions at the core of rural development strategies, reinforces territorialized food systems centred in small circuits of production–consumption. These alternative food systems not only contribute to social and environmental sustainability but enhance territorial development by expanding opportunities for territorial actors by diversifying the territorial economy and creating more crisis-resilient territories.

Inconsistent responses of conservation biocontrol to landscape structure: new insights from a network-based review.

Conservation biological control (CBC) has been an active research topic for the last two decades and is now one of the key ways being explored to develop agroecological production systems. Using broad concepts and indicators, recent reviews and meta-analyses have highlighted major inconsistencies in the responses of CBC to landscape structure, revealing their context-dependent nature. To decipher these relations, we reviewed the scientific literature (50 articles) using (1) an original ontology allowing us to navigate across the different terms and concepts used in this literature and (2) a network-based methodology to describe the scattering, completeness, and generalizability of scientific knowledge on CBC. An interactive version of this network is available online. Our results highlight the strong information scattering caused by the variety of indicators used to describe both landscape structure and CBC. We observe trade-offs between the use of coarse concepts classically used in meta-analysis (e.g., landscape complexity) and the non-convergence of results (ambiguity). The network analysis points out consistently less information ambiguity when considering sub-networks focused on trophic chains than in the full information network, without losing connectance. We suggest that effects of landscape structure may be different between trophic chains because of specific selection pressures associated with cropping systems. Our novel review procedure offers a relatively simple but powerful complementary approach to classical meta-analysis to explore ecological patterns. It highlights that crop trophic chain probably represents the adequate ecological unit to investigate the landscape-CBC relationship. Designing pest suppressive landscapes while favoring farmland biodiversity will imply considering multiple crop trophic chains responding differently to landscape structure. Therefore, we recommend assessing the level of CBC at both crop field and landscape scales to inform decisions on the best individual or collective strategy to adopt.

Bases for the Establishment of Robusta Coffee (Coffea canephora) as a New Crop for Colombia

Robusta coffee (C. canephora) covers 36% of world coffee production and has strategic relevance as a beverage that it is produced by thousands of small-scale producers around the world. Although mainly grown in Africa and Asia as opposed to Latin America, this situation is changing. Colombia is recognized as a producer of high-quality Arabica (C. arabica L.) coffee, however we argue that Robusta represents a great economic opportunity for small scale producers, for the industrialization of new products and for emerging coffee chains. Therefore, the objective of this review is to outline the agronomic value of Robusta coffee as a “new crop” in Colombia. As background we compare the better-known Arabica to the Robusta coffees from a Latin American perspective. Robusta shows differences in geographical distribution, genetics, originating species, physiology and phenology. Robusta and Arabica also differ in their chemistry, sensory attributes, industrial use, segments of market and price. Despite the marked differences between the two coffees, the popularity and consumption of Robusta has been on the increase due to the expansion of markets in emerging economies and in developed markers for home espresso preparation where it is used in high quality coffee blends. Robusta is currently replacing areas of other coffees due to hotter temperatures to which it is adapted. Although Robusta is still new to Colombia, this species has potential adaptation in lowland areas considered “non-traditional” for Colombian coffee cultivation and as a valuable component of agro-ecological production systems. Robusta is a novel crop option for certain regions that is needed for the future of coffee in Latin America and for growth of coffee production and consumption in Colombia.

Incorporation of the Sociocultural Heritage as an Essential Component in the Emergy Asessment Of Agroecological Systems in the Central Region Of Valle del Cauca-Colombia

In Valle del Cauca, a wide range of agroecological production systems havebeen preserved, withstanding the expansionist onslaught of sugar cane monoculture. The study performed the emergy assessment to three agroecological farms in the municipalities of Andalucia, Sevilla and Buga, incorporating a novel flow of emergy called Sociocultural Heritage (H), which is determinant for the functioning of the agroecological farms in the Colombian context, which includes the contribution of internal family labor given by their permanent residence in the agroecosystem, the family's activity to promote agroecological culture with external actors to the farm, the memory of information, and the appropriation of knowledge. The identity architecture and management of the agrosystem were expressed by the total emergy (U), computing the emergy flows of: renewable natural resources (R), nonrenewable (N), Sociocultural Heritage (H), purchased materials (M), and contrated services (S). The efficiency of agroecological farms, involved inclusive emergetic indices that contain the Sociocultural Heritage (H): Percentage of Sociocultural Heritage (%H), Inclusive Renewability (%RH) and Inclusive Environmental Burden Index (ELRH). The H flow gave results between 6,95 and 42,19 E + 17 sej / year, representing 45,47% and 55,07% of total emergy as %H. The %RH index gave values higher than 91%, indicating that the farms have a high renewability. The ELRH index presented values between 0,05 and 0,09, indicating a low environmental load of agroecological systems and low pressure of agroecological farms on local ecosystems. The results of inclusive emergetic indixes from this study show that agroecological systems are more sustainable in the long term. This would not be so evident with results obtained through an emergy assessment without the inclusion of the H.

The use of pesticides in Brazil and the risks linked to human health / O uso de pesticidas no Brasil e os riscos associados à saúde humana

The increased demand for food has intensified large-scale production systems, mainly represented by monocultures that encourage the indiscriminate use of pesticides. These products have been considered a public health concern around the world, being responsible for environmental and food contamination, which lead to risks to human health. Globally, one can note a discrepancy in the regulation of these chemicals among countries, with a wide range of maximum accepted levels of contaminants depending on the country. In Brazil, agriculture has been the main economic activity over centuries, which have led commonly to the use of huge amounts of pesticides, i.e., ~ 620,000 tons pesticides in 2019. This study aims at to discuss the regulatory differences in Brazil vis-à-vis in respecting to other countries and correlating them with the worsening of the public health status due to the risk of developing acute and chronic diseases. The scenario that come out from the analysis of the ongoing Brazilian legislation on pesticide registration and commercialization suggests that it is quite lesser restrictive than noted, for instance, in the European Union. Thus, a series of urgent and harmonized efforts are required to mitigate the ongoing risk to human health resulting from the increasing amounts of pesticides used in Brazil, as result of an erroneous policy carried out by the Federal government. Among other actions, firstly it is urgent to restructure the laws and regulations on the release and use of pesticides in the country. In addition, policies directed towards sustainable production systems must be foster and strengthened, providing adequate food to consumers and improving the lives of rural workers, as well as reducing the risk of environmental contamination of soil and water. Finally, it has been assumed that only when a more rational and environmental-friendly legislation replaces the current set of rules on pesticide release and usage, along with the adoption of agroecological production systems of biomasses coupled to public campaigns for information of the society as a whole, it will be possible to reduce the risks to the human health caused by the overuse of pesticides.

Caracterização morfoagronômica de raças locais de Zea mays L. em sistema agroecológico de produção

The objective of this study was to verify if Landrace maize compared to conventional hybrid corn differ in cycle and morphoagronomic traits when grown in agroecological system. The experiment was conducted at the Center for Agricultural Research at the Passo Fundo University, in a randomized block design with five replications, three Landraces of Creole maize (“Cabo roxo”, “Aztequinha” and “FrancoBrazileiro”) and hybrid maize. conventional (22s18 - Sementes Sempre). The fertilizer inputs were made with organic compost and Efficient Microorganisms (MS). Spontaneous species population, phenological cycle, stem diameter, ear and grain characteristics and yield per hectare were evaluated. The treatments did not differ significantly in the evaluation of the cycle in days presenting statistical difference only in plant height at the end of the cycle, where the Landrace “Cabo roxo” presented height of 209,9 cm. Regarding plant and ear characterization, the treatments differed significantly only in the evaluation of grain weight per ear, where the conventional hybrid reached 170,4 g. Thus, it was found that there is little significant difference between the local breeds and the conventional hybrid in the agroecological production system using mulch mass.

Balance energético como indicador de sostenibilidad en sistemas de producción agrícola

Agricultural production systems are currently facing difficulties from the point of view of the energy balance, due to the increase in consumption of fossil fuels and the decrease in crop production. The objective of the descriptive study was to compare the energy efficiency of agro-ecological and conventional production systems by means of a balance of the energy consumed and produced in the cultivation of maize; to this end, surveys were applied to decision makers in each production system, determining the absolute and relative frequencies related to human and animal labour activities; and the use of seeds, agricultural machinery, fertilizers and pesticides, in addition to energy efficiency. In the agro-ecological production system, for each kcal consumed in the production process of 1 ha of corn, 6.3 kcal were produced (positive balance) and in the conventional system where chemical inputs external to the productive property are used, for each kcal consumed, 0.75 kcal were produced (negative balance). The positive energy balance influences the sustainability of the system in the medium and long term; and the care of the environment, not so in the conventional production system where the environment is affected.

Food System and Water–Energy–Biodiversity Nexus in Nepal: A Review

Water, energy, and biodiversity are essential components for building a sustainable food system in a developing country like Nepal. Green Revolution technologies and the package of practices largely ignored the role of ecosystem services, leaving a large population of small farmers’ food- and nutrition-insecure. Biodiversity, especially, agrobiodiversity is in decline and this vital cross-cutting element is less discussed and interlinked in nexus literature. The interlinking food system with water–energy–biodiversity nexus, therefore, is essential to achieve a resilient food system. It ensures the vital structures and functions of the ecosystem on which it is dependent are well protected in the face of increasing socio-economic and climatic stress. This paper reviews the food system of Nepal through the lens of the food–water–energy–biodiversity (FWEB) nexus to develop a more robust food system framework. From this approach, food system foresight can benefit from different nature-based solutions such as agro-ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation and climate-resilient agro-ecological production system. We found that the FWEB nexus-based approach is more relevant in the context of Nepal where food and nutrition insecurity prevails among almost half of the population. Improvement in the food system requires the building of synergy and complementary among the components of FWEB nexus. Hence, we proposed a modified framework of food system foresight for developing resilience in a food system, which can be achieved with an integrated and resilient nexus that gives more emphasis to agro-ecological system-based solutions to make the food system more climate resilient. This framework can be useful in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, and 15 and can also be used as a tool for food system planning based on a broader nexus.

Manejo agroecológico para la restauración de la calidad del suelo

En el Centro Agroecológico ‘Las Cañadas’ localizado en Huatusco, Veracruz, se implementó el manejo agroecológico de los sistemas de producción desde hace aproximadamente 20 años, como alternativa a los efectos negativos ocasionados por la agricultura convencional; sin embargo, se desconoce el efecto benéfico y la magnitud con la que cada uno de estos sistemas ha contribuido en la restauración de la calidad del suelo desde su implementación. En el presente trabajo se valoró el estado actual de la calidad del suelo de los diferentes sistemas agroecológicos de producción, así como del bosque natural a través de sus propiedades químicas y físicas y diagnosticar el estado de la fertilidad del suelo para la producción de cultivos. Se tomaron muestras compuestas de suelo de los diez sistemas de producción, así como de dos áreas de vegetación restaurada y natural, para determinar sus propiedades químicas y físicas, los insumos locales utilizados en el abonado de los cultivos también fueron caracterizados químicamente. En general, los sistemas ecológicos de producción; a través, de la adición de materia orgánica local, labranza mínima del suelo y adiciones complementarias de insumos han contribuido a la regeneración de la calidad natural del suelo en sus propiedades químicas, pero, el reciclaje de nutrientes a partir de los insumos locales es insuficiente para cubrir las necesidades nutrimentales de los cultivos para una óptima producción. El manejo agroecológico también ha contribuido a que propiedades físicas como microporosidad, humedad aprovechable y agregados estables hayan logrado alcanzar el nivel original en el suelo.