With the growing recognition of Agroecology as an alternative with great potential for building fair and sustainable food systems, more and more initiatives are emerging worldwide.  This space aims to gather information on these initiatives and the existing knowledge to strengthen the development and sharing of agroecological techniques, practices, and experiences.

The concept of agroecology emerged at the end of the 20th century from the need for an alternative to recover sustainable food production technologies and improve existing knowledge to promote food sovereignty with practices accessible to family farmers. Biodiversity, social justice, the rational use of natural resources, and the enhancement of traditional knowledge are among its fundamental principles.

After World War II, with the development of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and, later, genetic engineering for agricultural products, there was a rapid process of agricultural modernisation. This transition became known as the Green Revolution, and its effect is what we know today as conventional agriculture. Conventional agriculture was recognised for its capacity to increase agricultural productivity and promise to end world hunger. However, despite the increase in production, it was soon realised that its application had many risks. Among the most adverse impacts are several changes in the physicochemical characteristics of ecosystems, soil quality, hydrological cycles, and the significant and worrying reduction in biodiversity.

In the context of family farming, the impacts are particularly expressive and negative given the promotion of intensive technologies that require inaccessible investments for this segment. The agricultural sector is experiencing a shortage of work opportunities, income generation, rural exodus, and social exclusion. This is due to the monopolisation of markets, the creation of technological packages that generate cycles of dependence on farmers, and the reduction in crops yield.

Climate change is also a driver for an urgent transition to food systems capable of slowing down the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and creating greater resilience for agricultural production.

Considering that agricultural production needs will increase by 60% by 2050 to keep pace with population growth ¹, there are critical challenges to consider in promoting the transition to more sustainable food systems

Agroecology integrates agronomic, ecological, and socio-economic principles to understand and assess the effect of technologies on agricultural systems and society as a whole.²

As a bottom-up paradigm for sustainable rural development, agroecology empowers people to become their own change agents.

According to FAO (2021), agroecology proposes to transform food systems based on the following interconnected and interdependent principles³

Women are promoters of social change and actively participate in the construction and development of Agroecology. Their productive and reproductive work in agri-food systems is of immense importance for food and nutrition security. Despite this, the historical and current situation regarding the recognition and appreciation of their work and their rights is incompatible with the role they have. We still have a long journey to support movements in the fight for gender equality in the countryside. These movements fight the invisibility of women's work, domestic violence, patrimonial violence (women do not have the same rights as men to inheritance and land ownership), the inadequate division of domestic work, unfeasible access to health services, and exclusion in decision-making processes. This space aims to disseminate information to contribute to these transformations.

Dignity, equity, inclusion, and social justice are fundamental values in agroecology; it aims at helping individuals, especially empowering women and young people out of poverty. Agroecological systems must place the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food in the center of food systems. By building autonomy and adaptive capacities to manage their agroecosystems, agroecology allows communities to overcome poverty, hunger, and malnutrition while promoting human rights such as the right to food. It also promotes environmental management for future generations to live in prosperity.

Agroecology addresses gender inequalities, creating opportunities for women. Women are nearly half of the agricultural workforce and play a vital role in household food security, food diversity, health, conservation, and sustainable use of biological diversity. However, women remain economically marginalised and vulnerable to violations of their rights, while their contributions often remain unrecognised.

Agroecology also provides a promising job-generation solution for the future, as it is based on a different form of agricultural production that is knowledge-intensive, environmentally friendly, socially responsible, innovative, and that depends on skilled labour. Meanwhile, rural youth worldwide possess energy, creativity, and a desire to positively change the world.