AGROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL Based in Occitanie (France), Agropolis International is a nonprofit organization that brings together an exceptional array of institutes and organizations involved in agriculture, food, environment and biodiversity. This crossroads of knowledge and expertise was founded in 1986 by research institutes and higher education establishments with support from national, regional and local authorities. Agropolis International has always been a dedicated collective workspace, providing links between different collaborators in target areas: - Scientific institutes - International research agencies - Regional and local authorities - Civil society organizations. A place for sharing and dialogue, for capitalizing on and transmitting knowledge, a crucible of ideas, a support structure for collective projects and for their promotion abroad, a center for hosting facilities and events, Agropolis International tailors its three decades of experience to fulfill the diverse missions requested by its members. For further information: www.agropolis.org CGIAR CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CIRAD CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land, and CIRAD is the French agricultural research and water systems in a climate crisis. Its research is carried out international cooperation organization working for the by 14 CGIAR Research Centers in close collaboration with sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean hundreds of partners, including national and regional research regions. It works with its partners to build knowledge institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development and solutions with one goal: inventing resilient farming organizations and the private sector. systems for a more sustainable and inclusive world. Its The 14 CGIAR Research Centers are AfricaRice, Alliance of expertise supports the entire range of stakeholders, from Bioversity International-CIAT, CIFOR, CIMMYT, CIP, ICARDA, producers to public policymakers, to foster biodiversity ICRAF, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA, ILRI, IRRI, IWMI, and WorldFish. protection, agroecological transitions, food system sustainability, one health, sustainable development of For further information: www.cgiar.org rural territories and their resilience to climate change. CGIAR’s new 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy: CIRAD works in some fifty countries on every continent, https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/110918/ thanks to the expertise of its 1,650 staff members, backed OneCGIAR-Strategy.pdf by a global network of some 200 partners. For further information: www.cirad.fr/en IRD INRAE French National Research Institute for Sustainable Created on January 1, 2020, the French National Research Development, a major player in sustainability science Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment is a major player in research and innovation. INRAE—the IRD is a French public research establishment that result of the merger of INRA and IRSTEA—carries out supports an original approach to research, expertise, targeted research. It is a community of 12,000 people training and knowledge-sharing for the benefit of with 268 research, experimental research, and support southern countries and regions, making science and units located in 18 regional centers throughout France. innovation key drivers in their development. IRD sets Internationally, INRAE is among the top research its priorities in line with the Sustainable Development organizations in the agricultural and food sciences, Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and September 2015, to steer development policies. environmental science. It is the world’s leading research Combining critical analysis for the implementation of organization specializing in agriculture, food and the these goals, IRD seeks to tackle the challenges facing environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the us today: global, environmental, economic, social and transitions necessary to address major global challenges. cultural changes that affect the whole planet. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the institute For further information: https://en.ird.fr is developing solutions that involve multiperformance agriculture, high-quality food, and the sustainable management of resources and ecosystems. For further information: www.inrae.fr/en 2 Cover illustration: Pablo Scapinachis (Shutterstock) Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Editorial It is usual for the President of Agropolis International to write the editorial introducing each Dossier. In this particular case, given the theme, I have the pleasure and honor to also sign this one as a Member of the One CGIAR Board. In the year when the United Nations is organizing a Food System Summit and on the eve of a major reform of CGIAR to become One CGIAR, which aims to strengthen I am impressed by the quality and number of contributions from the capacity of this leading global organization to more effectively researchers affiliated with both French and CGIAR institutions, often address the challenges in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, in collaboration, that shape the three parts of this pivotal document. I am delighted to unveil this Dossier devoted entirely to research and I also applaud many contributions of authors from some 70 partner partnerships in agroecology. What a superb initiative—I congratulate institutions and organizations, thereby illustrating the high commitment all those who spearheaded it! This I believe offers a key pathway of all actors from the scientific community and beyond to agroecology to enhance the sustainability of our food systems. We had already research. This confirms the extent to which agroecology is now a recognized this when, at the High Level Panel of Experts on Food key focus for hundreds of researchers, government representatives, Security and Nutrition (HLPE) of the UN Committee on World Food development service agents, professional agricultural organizations Security, which I had the honor of chairing at the time, we published and the associative community on all continents worldwide. This also the ‘Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable demonstrates the potential for bringing together farmers’ practices agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition’ and scientific outcome to generate unique and relevant knowledge and report in 2019. These approaches are essential for the future of the design relevant solutions to address challenges at different scales. planet, and agroecology is one of the three priorities—along with climate change and sustainable food systems—of the Action Plan The pages that follow showcase the broad and diverse scope of signed by the French government and One CGIAR, represented by research carried out in the field, territories and policy sphere, while Marco Ferroni, President of its Board, on February 4, 2021. also underlining how much remains to be done—together I hope! Patrick Caron President of Agropolis International Member of the One CGIAR Board 3 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Foreword We are pleased to preface this Dossier - a wide-ranging and comprehensive compendium of knowledge on agroecology. We trust that it will represent a milestone in this research field, which has to actively contribute to the transition towards sustainable food systems that we are striving to achieve. The insight showcased in this Dossier illustrates agroecology principles The collaboration between our research organizations and CGIAR from a scientific standpoint. It highlights the dynamics sparked by this was therefore particularly welcomed in view of clarifying the scientific concept internationally, and particularly in France where agricultural foundations and issues underlying the agroecology concept. We would research and higher education institutions have invested in this line like to thank all scientists who contributed to this project and we are of research. These dynamics are underpinned by ministries for which pleased that their collective research contributions can now be readily agroecology is viewed as a vital lever for action to meet the food shared through the present Dossier. security and resource conservation challenges emerging in the wake of climate change. This publication is an outcome of the Action Plan between CGIAR and France, which is honored to host the headquarters of this international Agroecology is fostered in France via the 2014 Loi d’avenir, and in organization in Montpellier, at the epicenter of one of the most Europe in discussions focused on the Common Agricultural Policy significant concentrations of agricultural research and educational (CAP) and the Green Deal. At the international level, through its policy institutions, including CIRAD, IRD, and INRAE, which have long been and cooperation instruments, France is supporting this trend, alongside associated with CGIAR. We hope that this anchorage will strengthen its partners, particularly within the three Rome-based agencies (FAO, partnerships between CGIAR and French agricultural research bodies WFP, IFAD) and the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), as well to help meet sustainable development challenges together. In this light, as in the framework of development projects such as the Great Green France commends the far-reaching reform of One CGIAR and the Wall Accelerator for the Sahel. Yet the dialogue under way at these emphasis placed on systems approaches such as agroecology, while different levels reveals that our partners are not always aware of the looking forward to pursuing a rich and stimulating dialogue that will in scientific scope of agroecology. turn benefit the international community. Philippe Lacoste Valérie Baduel Claire Giry Director for Sustainable Development Director-General for Higher Education Director-General for Research and French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and Research Innovation French Ministry of Agriculture and Food French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation 4 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Today, it is more important than ever that our food, land, and water systems are equipped to cope effectively with environmental threats such as climate change, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and depletion and contamination of water and soil resources. This requires a transformation of those systems. But we must take care that system transformation—yet another intervention by humans—does not cause irreversible damage to our planet, drive unhealthy diets, or exacerbate social and economic inequalities. Agricultural research for development and innovation must be reoriented to account for the myriad of linkages between A systems transformation approach for food, land, and water systems agriculture, the food system, and our water and land systems. The requires leaning towards embracing circularity in the use of natural complex, interlinked nature of the challenges demands that agricultural resources, boosting environmental and ecosystem health in step with research responds with equally interlinked, whole-of-system solutions, productivity, diversifying agricultural and food systems, and supporting such food system interventions that target all pieces of the puzzle healthy human diets. These improvements must go hand in hand with from agricultural production to consumer behaviour. Food systems more equitable benefits sharing for men, women, and young people, that sustain the planet, land and water systems that sustain food respect for the plurality of cultures and values served by these systems, production, a food system environment that feeds and nourishes and a greater degree of co-creation of knowledge with our partners. people, and people benefiting equitably from resilient food, land, and These principles, which will be fully integrated into the various water systems—these are universal goals. We believe that we have a solutions investigated by our agricultural research systems, align with unique opportunity now to unite efforts across multiple food, land, and the principles of agroecology, which call for a redesign of our food, water systems and sectors to get us closer to meeting those goals. land, and water systems from farm to table to simultaneously achieve ecological, economic, and social sustainability. The CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy responds to this demand for a systems transformation approach to food, land, and This publication highlights the multidisciplinary expertise and global water systems with an ambitious research agenda that uses science- partnerships network of the CGIAR and French research organizations based innovation to drive advances across multiple scales, from genetic used to conduct research into the process of transforming agricultural innovation in the laboratory to production in the fields to the complex and food systems with the aim of equipping them to embrace critical web of policy and agreements at system level, and across five impact agroecological principles in different contexts. The publication also areas, namely (i) Nutrition, health, and food security; (ii) Poverty reflects the enormous opportunity ahead to integrate more of these reduction, livelihoods, and jobs; (iii) Gender equality, youth, and social different disciplines when conducting the transdisciplinary research inclusion; (iv) Climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) Environmental needed to respond to the challenges facing our food, land, and water health and biodiversity. systems now, in the 21st century. Claudia Sadoff Executive Management Team Convener and Managing Director, Research Delivery and Impact, CGIAR 5 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Agroecological for sustainable food systems p. 3 p. 4-5 p. 8 Editorial Foreword Overview p. 11 Part 1 - Agroecosystems p. 12 p. 28 p. 50 Chap 1. Increasing the Chap 2. Substituting Chap 3. Redesigning efficiency of practices intensive external input agroecosystems on the in order to reduce the use by biodiversity- basis of a new set of use of costly, scarce or derived ecosystem ecological processes from environmentally damaging functions farm and landscape inputs • B iological pest and disease • E nhancing biological • Keeping plants healthy regulation interactions • H arnessing genetic diversity • R educing dependency on • F unctions and ecosystem • I mproving post-harvest external costly inputs services of agroforestry processes • Substituting • Enhancing the • I ntegrated examples environmentally disruptive complementarity of crop and inputs livestock farming • Redesigning landscapes • B uilding resilience through ecosystem services 6 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Agroecological transformation for sustainable food systems p. 79 p. 123 Part 2 - Food systems Part 3 - Key p. 80 p. 104 Chap 4. Identifying and Chap 5. Building a new processes, methods overcoming constraints global food system based and tools for within food systems to on equity, participation, achieve agroecological democracy and justice agroecology transitions at scale – reconnecting producers • I mproving value chains via • Mobilizing knowledge on ecological processes for and consumers agroecology agroecology • C ollective action, knowledge • E conomic environment generation, linking products • Methods and tools for better around farms and farming and territory agricultural practices and systems landscape management • Innovative business models • I nnovation environment and finance • Methods and tools for around farms and farming assessment and learning systems to support agroecosystem • Role of markets to transitions re-establish a more direct • L iving labs, facilitators connection between of agrifood chain producers and consumers transformation • Leveraging nutrition • Contribution of digital objectives and food technology to agroecology traditions for agroecology • Designing territorial food systems p. 144-145 List of acronyms and abbreviations p. 146 French organizations, CGIAR Centers and Programs, and partners involved in this Dossier 7 sAgroecological transforumation for sustainble food systemsmmary Overview This Agropolis International Dossier N° 26 is part of a series of particularly different labor costs and availability in agriculture, different special partnership issues, like N° 15, which reviews 10 years value chain arrangements, levels of connection between farmers and of activities of the LABEX-Europe ‘laboratory without walls’ consumers, and consumer preferences in food systems), and also program of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), diversity in terms of public action needed (subsidy levels that could and N° 22 on family farming in Argentina, Brazil and France (2016). be reoriented to incentivize change, implementation of policies from It illustrates the dynamic research and extent of expertise on different sectors, research and extension, etc.). However, there are agroecological transitions that abounds in French research institutions also communalities in terms of understanding the biology, ecology and and CGIAR, in collaboration with many partners worldwide. socioeconomics of farming agroecosystems and their functioning, and how to manage risks, including those triggered by climate change, how This initiative is under way within the framework of the Action Plan they contribute to food system functioning. signed by CGIAR and the French government on February 4th 2021 to strengthen French collaboration with CGIAR, where agroecology Lessons are to be learned from past trajectories in the Global is highlighted as one the three key priorities (alongside climate North and other parts of the world. Such insight could help avoid the change, nutrition and food systems). Agroecology has been a priority simplification levied by conventional agricultural models, while shedding in France since the 2014 Loi d’avenir sur l’agriculture, l’alimentation et la light on pitfalls to elude when considering socioeconomic power forêt, in Europe within the framework of the Green Deal (especially asymmetries and developing inclusive cooperative systems. the Farm to Fork Strategy), with the building a European partnership on agroecology, and under France’s international development policy These transformations need to be closely tuned to the initial geared towards the Global South. In recent decades, CGIAR has contexts, which vary considerably between regions and conducted research for development together with its partners in countries. Agroecological transformation cannot be a ‘one size fits all’ the Global South on many aspects related to agroecology, from more endeavor. Indeed, in some parts of the world where inorganic input and sustainable agricultural practices to more inclusive business models, pesticide use is generally low and sometimes nonexistent, and where and recently on responsible food consumption strategies. available water is in very short supply, the priority is often focused on increasing access and usage of these inputs to boost production and The Editorial Board members also put forward the relevance of this productivity. Agroecology is relevant, even under these conditions, and initiative in the light of the current CGIAR reform process towards can provide solutions while minimizing environmental impacts. Any a unified ‘One CGIAR’ with a view to mainstreaming and focusing decisions to increase such input use must strive to strike a balance its research forces and partnerships on achieving the SDGs, while between short-term productivity gains and longer-term resilience, specifically targeting the five Impact Areas identified in the CGIAR environmental health and sustainability gains. The linkage between 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy document published in late sustainable intensification and agroecological transformation emerges 2020: (i) Nutrition, health and food security; (ii) Poverty reduction, here as a point of analysis. livelihoods and jobs; (iii) Gender equality, youth and social inclusion; (iv) Climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) Environmental health These issues have led researchers from CGIAR and French research and biodiversity. The aim is to link these different elements in a holistic organizations to work together in compiling this Dossier to showcase and transformative approach to food systems, beyond the usual focus their expertise and research advances at the disposal of other of CGIAR research teams on agricultural production. researchers, policymakers, extension services, NGOs and farmers’ associations committed to promoting the agroecological According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United transition. This transition process requires commitment to explore Nations (FAO), “agroecology is an integrated approach which and support new ways of conducting research based on systemic simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles and transdisciplinary approaches, implementing inclusive participatory to the design and management of food and agricultural systems. methods, the solution-based theory of change, fostering partnerships Agroecology aims to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, with national agricultural research systems, while enhancing humans and the environment while taking into account the social orchestration of research, policy and investment efforts to aspects that must be addressed for a sustainable and equitable food converge towards sustainable and resilient food systems! system.”1 The agroecological transition aims to harness nature’s goods and services whilst minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and to We clearly highlight research conducted on the basis of these premises improve farmer-consumer connectivity, knowledge co-creation and in this Dossier. The research outputs showcased have been achieved inclusive relationships among food system actors. through recent research programs and projects geared towards the design and implementation of genuinely sustainable food systems, i.e. The urgency of the agroecological transformation of agricultural and equitable for both producers and consumers in different parts of the food systems linked to SDGs is one of the game changing solutions world. To reflect this, we have drawn on the different food system to be discussed at the UN Food Systems Summit this year. transformation levels identified by Stephen Gliessman (2016). These Moreover, addressing agricultural and food systems will also contribute are intersected with FAO’s 10 elements for agroecology and the to the 2030 Agendas being prepared in 2021 on climate (UNFCCC 13 principles outlined in the report of the High Level Panel of Experts COP 26*), land (UNCCD COP 15*) and biodiversity (CBD COP 15*). on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) on agroecological and other Clearly the diversity of agriculture and food systems on this planet innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that heralds the way to a variety of agroecological transition pathways enhance food security and nutrition (2019). (different baselines, input usage levels, socioeconomic contexts and * CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity 1. FAO. The 10 elements of agroecology guiding the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems, COP: Conference of the Parties http://www.fao.org/3/I9037EN/i9037en.pdf UNCCD: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNFCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 8 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 5 Gliessman’s levels 10 FAO elements 13 HLPE principles LEVEL 5: Rebuild the global food system, so that it is Participation sustainable and equitable for all Human Responsible Land and naturaland Social Value Governance Fairness resource LEVEL 4: governance Re-establish connections between growers and eaters, develop Social values Connectivity alternative food networks Co-Creation Culture and Circular and diets of Knowledge Food Traditions Economy LEVEL 3: Redesign whole Co-creation of agroecosystems knowledge Economic LEVEL 2: Diversity Synergies Resilience diversification Substitute alternative Recycling practices Synergy and inputs LEVEL 1: Animalhealth Increase efficiency BiodiversityRecycling of industrial inputs Input LEVEL 0: reduction Soil health No agroecological integration Efficiency p Linking FAO’s 10 elements, Gliesmann’s 5 levels of food system transformation and the 13 HLPE principles Correspondence based on Wezel et al., 2020. Agroecological principles and elements and their implications for transitioning to sustainable food systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, (2020) 40: 40. This Dossier is organized in two main parts, i.e. Agroecosystems and Food Systems, while adopting the organization levels proposed by Gliessman, as well as a third part that showcases the results of cross-cutting and more methodologically-oriented research. Part 1 - Agroecosystems 1 - Increasing the efficiency of practices in order to reduce 3 - Redesigning agroecosystems on the basis of a new set the use of costly, scarce or environmentally damaging inputs of ecological processes from farm and landscape This chapter deals with Gliessman’s first transformation level which This chapter focuses on the redesign, implementation and management aims to increase the efficiency of inputs and natural resources. It of agroecosystems that differ from current systems. This redesign presents results of research conducted in many countries geared process may represent a real break with the past while being geared towards improving resource use efficiency (soil, water), while reducing towards long-term change. Although often having a specific focus (less chemical input reliance and the environmental footprint of production dependence on pesticides and water, work and wellbeing, adaptation to systems and postharvest treatments. Research on complex processes climate change, landscape quality and biodiversity preservation, etc.), (nutrient cycles, interactions between soil organisms, crop protection), it also strives to reconsider all agroecosystem functions and services, as well as the added benefits of participatory research approaches in and their sustainability and resilience in response to the highly variable varietal selection and breeding programs are discussed. The chapter nature of external constraints (climate, prices, etc.). This redesign also illustrates the ‘co-creation of knowledge’ principle. process may take place on the farm or in the landscape, within the scope of collective management or within a broader territorial project involving non-farmer stakeholders. 2 - Substituting intensive external input use by biodiversity-derived ecosystem functions This chapter focuses on increasing crop performance by strengthening ecosystem functions driven by the agrobiodiversity. This so-called ecological intensification process enhances biomass production by improving nutrient and water cycles and combating pests and diseases, while keeping external input use to the bare minimum. It relates to Gliessman’s second transformation level, and essentially concerns cropping systems. 9 Incremental Transformational AGROECOSYSTEM LEVELS FOOD SYSTEM LEVELS Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Part 2 - Food systems Some 500 French and CGIAR agroecology scientists 4 - Identifying and overcoming constraints within food and experts from around 100 national and international systems to achieve agroecological transitions at scale – universities and research organizations from France (among reconnecting producers and consumers others CIRAD, INRAE and IRD) and abroad, and all CGIAR Centers, were involved in this Dossier. The development, implementation and scaling of agroecological practices requires an appropriate enabling environment, while This Dossier is not meant to be exhaustive and other overcoming structural constraints that lock farmers into conventional outstanding publications could have been mentioned, as for agricultural improvement models, thereby necessitating fundamental example the ‘Handbook for the evaluation of agroecology’ shifts in the way food systems are organized and function. This chapter published in 2019 by collective of French NGOs*; the research addresses the issue of identifying and surmounting constraints within examples presented reflect the diversity and dynamism agricultural, food and land systems to achieve agroecological transitions of scientific and technological research at national and at scale. Five main issues are tackled: (i) the economic environment linked to value chains, markets and regulations; (ii) the innovation international levels and it shows very well that research environment; (iii) the role of markets in re-establishing a more direct partnerships between CGIAR and French institutions are not connection between producers and consumers; (iv) leveraging nutrition only numerous and productive but also generate multiple objectives and food traditions for agroecology; and (v) designing and open partnerships with many other research institutions, territorial food systems. including the national agricultural research systems (NARS). 5 - Building a new global food system based on equity, * e.g. The ‘Handbook for the evaluation of agroecology’ (Working Group on Agroecological Transition, 2019): participation, democracy and justice www.fao.org/agroecology/database/detail/fr/c/1197691/ This chapter focuses on far-reaching transformations in value chains, business models and funding sources, and in the socioeconomic dynamics in territories, as a result of agroecological approaches New research questions and a brand new applied in a diverse range of specific situations with different food way of doing research system actors. These transformations result in changes in the terms of interaction between agricultural and food system actors that are Agroecological approaches come with new research questions. When conducive to more environment-friendly and equitable systems, to the you change the paradigmatic vision of food systems, address the mutual benefit of producers and consumers. multifunctionality of agriculture, recognize the urgent and imperious necessity to respect ecosystems and marshal nature and its resources, Part 3 - Key processes, methods including biodiversity and its functions, then you need to address and tools for agroecology questions that have been overlooked by conventional approaches. This includes soil biodiversity, ecosystem health, optimization of functions at plot and landscape levels, etc. Moreover, agroecology is This crosscutting part illustrates how France and CGIAR are working dovetailed with principles such as fairness, social values, diets, land to provide essential agricultural and ecological knowledge, as well and local resource governance, which implies that scientific research as research methods and tools for initiating the transformation of must also focus on addressing questions linked to labor and market current schemes into agroecology-oriented systems, value chains organization, stakeholder interactions, behavioral change mechanisms, and territories. These span different spatial scales, and cover human social inclusion, public policies, added value distribution along supply and social sciences as well as ecology and biotechnology. Research chains, etc. carried out within institutions (national or international) and research infrastructures—often in a transdisciplinary way, with the participation Agroecological approaches also imply new ways of doing research of stakeholders, as well as local or national social initiatives that foster and contributing to innovation, as stated in the Call for Action the agrifood system transition process—is showcased. for Agroecological Transition of Agri-Food Systems2. Agroecological transformation requires hybridization of scientific knowledge, technological and institutional innovations, local actors’ capacities and knowledge, public policies, infrastructures and means. It is a context-dependent process, with multiple transformational solutions and pathways and local innovation systems have a crucial role to play. Scientific research therefore has to produce knowledge to fuel these local innovation systems through new ways of cooperation with stakeholders, including policymakers. This means accounting for the complexity of agroecosystem functioning in a diverse range of situations and settings, by connecting biological, technical and sociopolitical questions, using inclusive, systemic, interdisciplinary, participatory and transdisciplinary research. These are some of the ambitions of the Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology (TPP)3 that was jointly built by French research institutions and CGIAR. Kwesi Atta-Krah (IITA) Jean-Luc Chotte (IRD) Chantal Gascuel (INRAE) Vincent Gitz (CIFOR) 2. Conclusions of a Joint France-CGIAR Workshop ‘Stepping Up to the Challenge of Agroecological Transition Through Agricultural Research for Development’, held in Montpellier, June 19-20, 2019. Étienne Hainzelin (CIRAD) www.foreststreesagroforestry.org/fta-publication/call-for-action-for-agroecological-transition-of-agri-food- Bernard Hubert (INRAE, Agropolis International) systems-pdf/ 10 Marcela Quintero 3. https://glfx.globallandscapesforum.org/topics/21467/page/TPP-home (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF) Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems PART 1 Agroecosystems 11 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Chapter 1 Increasing the efficiency of practices in order to reduce the use of costly, scarce, or environmentally damaging inputs The transformation of food systems towards sustainability ‘co-creation of knowledge’ principle where researchers are “...just one through the implementation of agroecological principles in the among several key stakeholders” (see Trouche et al.). It is structured field involving co-creation of knowledge with farmers who are in three parts that illustrate the levers for increasing the production the actors and beneficiaries of these transitions can be categorized in efficiency focusing on keeping plants healthy, harnessing genetic relation to a series of transition levels on a gradient of incremental diversity and improving post-harvest processes. The chapter ends with to transformational change (Gliessman). This chapter deals with the examples of approaches that address several of these partial processes first Gliessman’s level, to “Increase the efficiency of industrial and in an integrated way. conventional practices in order to reduce the use and consumption of costly, scarce, or environmentally damaging inputs”. Keeping plants healthy: Crop nitrogen and water use efficiency and pest control must be enhanced to be able to reduce chemical We present results of research conducted in many countries geared inputs without jeopardizing crop yields or intensify production without towards improving resource use efficiency, while reducing reliance on negative environmental impacts. The research presented concerns chemical inputs and the environmental footprint of production systems management of soil mycorrhizal potential (Duponnois & Prin), the and subsequent postharvest handling. This includes research on importance of soil biological diversity in plant phosphate nutrition complex processes (nutrient and water cycles, action of soil organisms, (Trap & Plassard), the manifold effects of microbial inocula (Masso crop pest and disease management), as well as the added benefits of et al.), and pea-rhizobia interactions (Bourion et al.). Laplaze et al. show participatory research approaches in varietal selection and breeding that root traits are largely driven by the plant genotype and have an programs. Among the 13 HLPE agroecological principles, ‘recycling’, impact on nutrient recycling. In Vietnam, Herrmann et al. demonstrate ‘input reduction’, ‘soil health’ and ‘biodiversity’ are highlighted, as that a cowpea-cassava intercropping system can improve soil health. well as the ‘synergy’ between them. The chapter also illustrates the q Participatory variety selection with pilot farmers. © M. Major 12 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Harnessing genetic diversity: Derero and co-authors present the Improving post-harvest processes: The research presented in this results of a participatory approach to enhance the natural diversity of section concerns the implementation of agroecological practices for trees adapted to different agroecological regions in Ethiopia. Genetic postharvest handling of banana (Brat) and maize using a technology improvement and varietal selection are effective long-standing levers that avoids pesticide treatments (Odjo et al.). The aim is to safeguard for boosting crop yields, while also enhancing adaptation to local product quality. conditions. Several contributions showcase the results of participatory approaches to cattle breeding in India (Ducrocq & Swaminathan), Integrated examples: Muthuri et al. show that agroforestry systems the promotion of seldom-studied tree species for agroforestry in Rwanda offer a sustainable and cost-effective way to boost climbing system diversification (Hendre et al.), the articulation of participatory bean production through the provision of tree stakes to support them. breeding and community-based seed enterprises (Bassi et al.) and Ameur et al. mapped and analysed local agroecological farming practices the rollout of farmer-selected varieties (sorghum, barley, rice, maize, to increase irrigation efficiency. Corbeels & Naudin conducted a meta- wheat) in Ethiopia, West Africa, Central America and Nepal (Hendre analysis to assess the effects of different components of conservation et al.; Sanchez-Garcia; Tiwari & Sinclair; Kidane et al.). This research agriculture practices in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, Barnaud et al. demonstrates the relevance of a multi-stakeholder approach based on have suggested that the creation of a seed exchange network in sub- the development of state-of-the-art techniques, while also taking the Saharan Africa would help farmers adapt to climate change by providing field conditions and farmers’ needs into account. There are particularly access to seeds from other regions. interesting impacts where this research has been conducted in partnership with the private sector. Jean-Luc Chotte (Eco&Sols, IRD) Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR) 13 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices Keeping plants healthy Optimizing agroecosystem productivity through effective mycorrhizal performance management Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a reciprocally 1. If the MIP value is considered high enough to beneficial relationship between certain be revived, a ‘holistic’ approach is implemented types of fungi and plant roots (Photo). by installing plant cover that hosts a variety of It is a major microbial constituent of biological highly mycotrophic plants (e.g. legumes). mechanisms governing soil fertility and the 2. I f the MIP value is low, a ‘reductionist’ approach spatiotemporal dynamics of terrestrial plant is favored via the mass reintroduction of communities (diversity, productivity, resilience). mycorrhizal spores. Soil inoculations of one Many scientific studies have shown that this or more fungal strains preselected under biological process facilitates plant growth in controlled conditions for a given parameter environments under abiotic (mineral deficiency, (e.g. effect of the strain on growth of a target heavy metal pollution, water scarcity) and/or plant) are then carried out. biotic (high parasitic pressure of phytopathogenic agents) stress(1). The extent to which this Many research results highlight the importance of symbiosis will benefit plant growth is dependent soil mycorrhizal fungal communities in promoting on the composition of the soil mycorrhizal fungal sustainable agriculture. They also show the community (spore abundance and diversity), potential advantages of mainstreaming i.e. the mycorrhizal infection potential (MIP) these microorganisms in the design of of the agroecosystem. The degree of soil innovative agroecological cropping degradation is closely correlated with this sequences, with emphasis on beneficial MIP (Figure). Based on scientific findings plant/microorganism interactions. concerning this symbiotic process, different soil MIP management strategies may be developed according to the extent of degradation of the system targeted for remediation: p Spores and hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. A: arbuscules, H: hyphae THINKING THE MYCORRHIZAL SYMBIOSIS MANAGEMENT IN RELATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS STRATEGIES Contacts Natural Ecosystem Abundance Mycorrhizal potential management Robin Duponnois (LSTM, IRD, Diversity • Cover plants Holistic France), robin.duponnois@ird.fr • Trees (Agroforestry systems) Approach Yves Prin (LSTM, CIRAD, France), • Nurse plants prin@cirad.fr Ecosystem alternative status • Biocatalysts of mycorrhizal symbiosis Anthropogenic and For further informationInorganic inputs natural disturbances Organic inputs (1) Ramirez-Flores M.R., Perez- Degraded ecosystem Helper Microorganisms Limon S., et al., 2020. The genetic architecture of host response reveals the importance of Threshold of irreversibility Threshold of resilience Degradation arbuscular mycorrhizae to maize cultivation. eLife, 9: e61701. Very degraded ecosystem https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.61701 Controlled Reductionist (2) Wahbi S., Sanguin H., Baudoin E., Irreversibility level mycorrhization Approach Tournier E., Maghraoui T., Prin Y., Hafidi M., Duponnois R., 2016. Highly degraded ecosystem Managing the soil mycorrhizal infectivity to improve the agronomic efficiency of key processes from p Strategies for managing the mycorrhizal infection potential (MIP) according to the extent of degradation (resilience natural ecosystems integrated in threshold) of the environment to be remediated. agricultural management systems. Holistic approach: increased MIP via biological vectors (cover plants, nursery plants, etc.). In: Hakeem K. et al. (eds) Plant, soil Reductionist approach: mass introduction of mycorrhizal spores into the environment to be remediated (controlled mycorrhization and microbes. Volume 1. Implications in technique). crop science. Springer, Cham: 17-27. 14 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3- 319-27455-3_2 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Soil Mycorrhizal Potential Effects of soil biological diversity on plant nutrition are driven by the nutrient source and mobility The case of phosphorus In natural ecosystems, selection gradually roots interact with microscopic fauna (protists in an organic P amended soil with a high shapes multiple complex interactions and nematodes) that—by consuming bacteria P uptake capacity. Non-significant or very between plants and soil organisms to and fungi—release P ions that can be accessed weak relationships were observed in the other maximize nutrient mobilization. A current key by plants. Plants thereby have many soil partners five situations. Appropriate management of soil challenge of ecologically intensive agriculture, with which they can interact. fertility and biotic interactions involving plant including agroecology, is to gain insight into and roots and soil organisms, is essential for a take advantage of these ecological processes. This We conducted a set of six microcosm successful agroecological transition. Fostering the form of agriculture seeks to make a sustainable experiments in a growth chamber and diversity of rhizosphere interactions could be a use of natural soil processes, particularly to tested the hypothesis that the relationship promising way to optimize crop nutrition. optimize efficient nutrient recycling. This is the between soil mutualistic case for phosphorus (P), an often not readily organism diversity and plant available nutrient that is fundamental for plant P acquisition depends on growth. Roots cope with P deficiency by forming the soil P source and mobility. a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with fungi—a A highly significant so-called mycorrhizal association. Roots can also relationship was noted interact with bacteria involved in P mineralization between plant P acquisition or solubilization to promote plant growth. Finally, and soil biological diversity Contacts • Nehls U., Plassard C., 2018. Nitrogen and Jean Trap (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), jean.trap@ird.fr phosphate metabolism in ectomycorrhizas. New Phytologist, 220: 1047-1058. Claude Plassard (Eco&Sols, INRAE, France), claude.plassard@inrae.fr • Trap J., Ranoarisoa P.M., Irshad U., Plassard C., 2021. Richness of rhizosphere organisms affects plant P nutrition according to P source and For further information mobility. Agriculture, 11(2): 157. • Hinsinger P., Herrmann L., Lesueur D., Robin A., • Ranoarisoa P., Trap J., Pablo AL., Dezette D., Trap J., Waithaisong K., Plassard C., 2015. Impact Plassard C., 2020. Micro-food web interactions of roots, microorganisms and microfauna on involving bacteria, nematodes, and mycorrhiza the fate of soil phosphorus in the rhizosphere. enhance tree P nutrition in a high P-sorbing soil In: Plaxton W.C., Lambers H. (eds), Phosphorus amended with phytate. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, metabolism in plants, Annual Plant Reviews: 377- 143: 107728. p Bacterial-feeding nematode of the Cephalobidae family around 407. Pinus pinaster roots. © Eco&Sols Environment-friendly microbial inoculants improve resource efficiency and resilience of agricultural systems Agricultural land degradation in sub- ASaharan Africa, partly due to low-input agriculture, is steadily leading to a critical dilemma and it is essential to find ways to increase food productivity to support the growing population without jeopardizing soil ecoservices, biodiversity and quality. The immediate consequences of this are major yield gaps alongside related food and nutrition insecurity. The effective application of microbial t Cumulative inoculants in the context of integrated soil frequency of farms fertility management (ISFM) to improve nutrient reporting grain yield increases availability, water and nutrient use efficiency and above the control plant health offers one of the most viable and treatment following cost-effective options to address this challenge, application of particularly for resource-constrained smallholder various combinations farmers. In legume-based cropping systems, B of fertilizers and rhizobia inoculant inclusion of high-quality rhizobia inoculants Biofix (A) and in ISFM can increase legume N uptake, Legumefix (B). while doubling grain yields and benefiting Adapted from Thuita rotation crops. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi et al. (2018). inoculants can enhance P availability, reduce © Eco&Sols reliance on P fertilizers (by ≈25-50%), and improve water use efficiency in crops like cassava and potato, etc., in addition to protecting crops, such as bananas, against nematode pests. Our studies revealed that co-application of rhizobia and other microbial inoculants to enhance P availability enhances soybean performance. 15 …cont’d ☞ Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices Nutrient and water uptake from soil also requires a healthy root system, including the Contacts control of root pests and diseases, and can Cargele Masso (IITA, CGIAR, Cameroon), be critical for nutrient and water uptake and c.masso@cgiar.org utilization. Trichoderma spp. were shown to Danny Coyne (IITA, CGIAR, Kenya), d.coyne@cgiar.org • Korir H., Mungai N.W., Thuita M., Hamba Y., Masso C., have a significant impact in controlling a range Frederick Baijukya (IITA, CGIAR, Tanzania), 2017. Co-inoculation effect of rhizobia and plant growth of soilborne diseases and nematode pests on f.baijukya@cgiar.org promoting rhizobacteria on common bean growth in a a range of crops, e.g. Phytophthora infestans on low phosphorus soil. Front. Plant Sci. 8: 141. doi: 10.3389/ fpls.2017.00141 tomatoes, Fusarium verticillioides on maize and Other authors • Pena R., Robbins C., Corella J.C., Thuita M., Masso C., Meloidogyne javanica on pineapple. Root rot Amaral Chibeba, Kwesi Atta-Krah, Moses Thuita and Vanlauwe B., Signarbieux C., Rodriguez A., Sanders I.R., diseases and root infecting nematode pests can Bernard Vanlauwe (IITA, CGIAR, Mozambique, Nigeria, 2020. Genetically different isolates of arbuscular have a major detrimental impact on the root Kenya and Kenya respectively) mycorrhizal fungus rhizophagus irregularis induce systems of most crops, including legume crops. differential responses to stress in cassava. Frontiers in Plant The joint application of those microbial For further information Science: 1-14. inoculants under ISFM is highly promising • Kiriga A.W., Haukeland S., Kariuki G.M., Coyne D., Beek • Thuita M., Vanalauwe B., Mutegi E., Masso C., 2018. for sustainable soil management and crop N.V., 2018. Effect of Trichoderma spp and Purpureocillium Reducing spatial variability of soybean response to rhizobia lilacinum on Meloidogyne javanica in commercial pineapple inoculants in farms of variable soil fertility in Siaya County productivity, across agroecological settings, production in Kenya. Biological Control. of western Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. which is worth further investigation. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2018.01.005 doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2018.01.007 Major advances in knowledge on beneficial pea-rhizobia interactions Pea is a crop of major interest in agroecology because of its high protein seed production, while not requiring nitrogen fertilizer inputs because of its symbiosis with rhizobia, i.e. atmospheric nitrogen fixing bacteria. Symbiotic fixation may, however, be suboptimal if the symbiotic partner associations are not very efficient, or the environmental conditions are unfavorable. Cultivated peas interact with native rhizobial strain populations. Preferential associations are established between peas —depending on genotypes—with certain rhizobial strains, which may be competitive but inefficient (Fig. A)(1,2). The GRaSP* project has identified the gene regions involved, thereby providing a lever for breeding productive pea varieties that will preferentially associate with competitive p Figure A. Pea-rhizobia associations depend on pea genotypes and strains: variability in the proportion of and efficient soilborne or inoculated nodule occupancy by five strains (SA, SD, SE, SF, SK) mixed inoculation of 18 pea genotypes. rhizobial strains. …cont’d ☞ From Bourion et al. (2018) t Figure B. The pea crop resilience process can be divided into water deficit tolerance and post-stress recovery. The curves represent the nitrogen uptake dynamics of two genotypes in reference to two traits: the number of nodules and the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI). The values of these two traits decrease during water shortages and recover during the re-watering period until plateauing. The recovery capacity is characterized by four variables (purple): recovery initiation latency, recovery rate, time to plateau, and delta (Δ), the difference in trait value at the plateau between well-watered plants and those under water deficit). For the more resilient genotype (orange), the lag time is shorter and the recovery rate slower. The less resilient genotype (green) overcompensates. The comparison of these two genotypes suggests that rapid initiation of nitrogen uptake recovery associated with 16 finely regulated nodule formation would be essential for better resilience. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Moreover, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions linked to the non-use of nitrogen fertilizer could be further enhanced by field inoculations of strains capable of reducing soilborne nitrate-derived N2O levels, as is the * Projects For further information case with some soybean-nodulating rhizobial • GRaSP, Genetics of rhizobia selection by pea: (1) Bourion V., Laguerre G., Depret G., Voisin A.S., Salon C., strains(3). N O-reducing strains of pea-nodulating https://anr.fr/Projet-ANR-16-CE20-0021 Duc G., 2007. Genetic variability in nodulation and root 2 growth affects nitrogen fixation and accumulation in pea. rhizobia have been isolated in the NatAdGES* • NatAdGES, Multi-scale avoidances of soil emissions of Ann. Bot. 100: 589-598. doi: 10.1093/annbot/mcm147 project. Their field inoculation will serve to the greenhouse gas N2O by the use of natural additives or microorganisms: www6.inrae.fr/natadges (2) Bourion V., Heulin-Gotty K., Aubert V., Tisseyre P., increase the ecosystem services provided Chabert-Martinello M., Pervent M., Delaitre C., Vile D., by pea crops. Finally, in the current climate • FP7-LEGATO, Legumes for the agriculture of tomorrow: www.legato-fp7.eu Siol M., Duc G., Brunel B., Burstin J., Lepetit M., 2018. change setting, crops are subject to water stress Co-inoculation of a pea core-collection with diverse • Plant2Pro® ARECOVER, Architecture racinaire nodulée et which affects their productivity. The LEGATO* rhizobial strains shows competitiveness for nodulation tolérance au stress hydrique chez le pois: and ARECOVER* project results are shedding and efficiency of nitrogen fixation are distinct traits in the www6.inrae.fr/arecover interaction. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8: 2249. light on processes underlying the resilience doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02249 of pea-rhizobia trophic relationships (Fig. B, Contacts (3) Hénault C., Revellin C., 2011. Inoculants of leguminous previous page), and the findings should give rise Virginie Bourion (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), crops for mitigating soil emissions of the greenhouse gas to pea ideotypes that are more productive under virginie.bourion@inrae.fr nitrous oxide. Plant and Soil, 346: 289-296. water stress conditions(4). Various levers are now Catherine Hénault (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), doi: 10.1007/s11104-011-0820-0- available to take beneficial biotic interactions in catherine.henault@inrae.fr (4) Couchoud M., Salon C., Girodet S., Jeudy C., Vernoud V., pea breeding approaches into account, and to Marion Prudent (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), Prudent M., 2020. Pea efficiency of post-drought recovery boost the role of pea crops in agroecological marion.prudent@inrae.fr relies on the strategy to fine-tune nitrogen nutrition. Front. systems. Plant Sci., 11: 204. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00204 Root traits enhance the agroecological transition The plant root system explores the soil to to hydromineral deficiency and enhance the instance, that control of soil particle aggregation secure the plant’s hydromineral nutrition. complementarity between crop species in terms by pearl millet roots is a trait that impacts the Root development and physiology are of nutrient access; and (ii) to better control rhizosphere microbiota structure(2) and functions, dependent on the soil physicochemical and interactions between roots and soil organisms including those affecting nutrient remobilization biotic properties and, in turn, the roots actively in order to sustainably foster trophic loops from soil organic matter(3). Root traits could modify these characteristics in the surrounding governing the nutrient cycle, thereby reducing therefore become new selection targets soil volume, i.e. the rhizosphere(1). Despite its dependence on external inputs. and contribute to the optimization of pivotal role in plant nutrition, the relatively agroecological practices(1). inaccessible root system has received little, Based on an assessment of the genetic diversity if any, attention in plant breeding and in the available in pearl millet, development of agricultural practices. Moreover, we demonstrated that the first Green Revolution was based on massive root architecture and use of inputs, which minimized the impact of root rhizosphere interaction traits on crop yield. However, gaining insight into traits are highly variable the genetic determinants of these traits would and closely controlled by address two major challenges: (i) to better the plant genotype(2,3,4). explore the soil to help boost crop resilience We showed, for Contacts Ndoye I., Heulin T., Cournac L., 2017. Pearl Laurent Laplaze (DIADE, IRD, France/LMI millet genetic traits shape rhizobacterial LAPSE, Senegal), laurent.laplaze@ird.fr diversity and modulate rhizosphere aggregation. Front. Plant Sci., 8: 1288. Alexandre Grondin (DIADE, IRD, France/LMI LAPSE, Senegal), alexandre.grondin@ird.fr (3) Ndour P.M.S., Mbacké Barry C., Tine D., de la Fuente Cantó C., Gueye M., Laurent Cournac (Eco&Sols, IRD, France/ Barakat M., Ortet P., Achouak W., Ndoye I., LMI IESOL, Senegal), laurent.cournac@ird.fr Sine B., Laplaze L., Heulin T., Cournac L., 2021. Pearl millet genotype impacts For further information microbial diversity and enzymatic activities (1) de la Fuente Cantó C., Simonin M., in relation to root-adhering soil aggregation. King E., Moulin L., Bennett M.J., Castrillo G., Plant and Soil, in press. Laplaze L., 2020. An extended root (4) Passot S., Gnacko F., Moukouanga D., phenotype: the rhizosphere, its formation Lucas M., Guyomarc’h M., Moreno and impacts on plant fitness. The Plant Ortega B., Atkinson J., Niang M., Bennett M., Journal, 103(3): 951-964. Gantet P., Wells D.M., Guédon Y., (2) Ndour P.M.S., Gueye M., Barakat M., Vigouroux Y., Verdeil J.-L., Muller B., Ortet P., Bertrand-Huleux M., Pablo A.-L., Laplaze L., 2016. Characterization of pearl Dezette D., Chapuis-Lardy L., Assigbetsé K., millet root architecture and anatomy Kane N.A., Vigouroux Y., Achouak W., reveals three types of lateral roots. Front. Plant Sci., 7: 829. u Root traits contributing to soil exploration and interactions with soil organisms for improved hydromineral nutrition and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Rh: root hairs, E: epidermis, Slc: sclerenchyma, C: cortex, Ae: aerenchyma, En: endodermis, S: Stele, Px: protoxylem vessel, Mx: metaxylem vessel, 17 PGPR, PGPF: plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and fungi. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices Positive impacts of a cowpea-cassava intercropping system on soil biodiversity in Northern Vietnam (Yen Bai Province) Agricultural production in Southeast effects of intensive agriculture on soil health. richness, diversity and evenness indices. High-Asia continues to rely on massive use For instance, the effects of introducing legumes throughput sequencing analysis of the microbial of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, in intercropping systems were assessed in the community revealed a significant increase in which are readily available at low cost in the framework of the Towards an Agroecological bacterial community richness, while other region. However, these intensive management Transition in South East Asia (ACTAE) project indices were not affected (diversity, evenness). practices have resulted in a dramatic reduction funded by the French Development Agency Fungal communities were not impacted by the in soil biodiversity, leading to a decrease in (AFD). In Yen Bai province, a mountainous introduction of cowpea, suggesting that changes soil health, and an increase in dependence on region in Northern Vietnam where cassava in fungal communities may occur over a longer chemical inputs to maintain crop productivity. (Manihot esculenta) monocropping systems period. These results highlighted the high Soil organisms, including micro- and macrofauna dominate, the introduction of cowpea (Vigna potential of promoting agroecological as well as microbial communities, play key unguiculata L.) as an intercrop positively impacted practices, such as legume intercropping roles in supporting soil health and ecosystem soil biodiversity, even after a single growing systems, in restoring and maintaining soil services, such as soil porosity and aggregation, season. Intercropped plots showed a higher biodiversity in very fragile ecosystems such nutrient cycling and crop protection against pests abundance of microfauna, as compared to as the mountainous regions of Vietnam. and diseases. Recent initiatives are promoting monocropped areas. Intercropping also resulted agroecological practices to mitigate collateral in an up to 100% increase in soil macrofauna Contacts Laetitia Herrmann (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Vietnam), l.herrmann@cgiar.org Didier Lesueur (Eco&Sols, CIRAD/Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Vietnam), d.lesueur@cgiar.org Other authors Esther Fouillet (AgroParisTech, France/Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Vietnam) Trung Thanh Nguyen (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Vietnam/Vietnam National University of Agriculture/Kasetsart University, Thailand) Hai Thy Thanh Nguyen (The Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, NOMAFSI, Vietnam) Mary Atieno (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Vietnam) Shuang Zhong (Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, CATAS/Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P.R. China) For further information Fouillet E., Herrmann L., Nguyen T,T., Nguyen H.T.T, Atieno M., Zhong S. Lesueur D., 2019. Do legume-based intercrops improve soil fauna and soil microbial diversity? Example of the cowpea-cassava intercropping system in Northern Vietnam. Rhizosphere 5 Conference, July 2019, p Intercropping cassava with cowpea in Yen Bai province, Northern Vietnam. © D. Lesueur, 2018 Saskatoon, Canada. Harnessing genetic diversity Genetic and genomic improvement of cattle in India q A livestock farmer proud of his crossbred cows. © V. Ducrocq India is the world’s largest milk producer, with about 100 million cows and as many buffaloes. Yet individual production is low (two cows/farmer on average) and the breeding conditions are harsh. In this setting, it would be hard to implement conventional genetic improvement programs, while crossbreeding with bulls of Western breeds, which are ill-adapted to Indian conditions, has proven to be the only way to boost production. Artificial insemination programs have nevertheless been developed, notably through BAIF Development Research Foundation—the largest Indian agricultural NGO—resulting in the production of millions of doses of bull and buffalo semen of various genetic strains, which are disseminated through 18 an efficient insemination service. …cont’d ☞ Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems A partnership between INRAE and BAIF and Melinda Gates Foundation that enables was formed in 2003 to enhance local genetic BAIF to collect thousands of phenotypes and diversity for sustainable genetic improvement. genotypes from smallholder farmers in seven Since then, genomic selection based on data Indian states. In 2018, it was extended with from the genotyping and phenotyping of the launch of the Genetic IMprovement of reference populations has led to substantial Indian Cattle and Buffaloes (GIMIC) international sustainable genetic progress in Europe. A novel associated laboratory (LIA), which also involves Contacts genomic selection program has thus been set AgroParisTech. This LIA contributes to the Vincent Ducrocq (GABI, GIMIC, INRAE, France), up at BAIF using state-of-the-art technologies implementation of technically and economically vincent.ducrocq@inrae.fr (genotyping, insemination) and the collection of sustainable genomic selection initiatives tailored Marimuthu Swaminathan (GIMIC, BAIF, India), original information to select traits associated to Indian conditions in a system with very mswami@baif.org.in with adaptation to harsh environmental marked genotype x environment interactions. It conditions(1). This program makes effective is complemented by technical training for BAIF For further information use of genetic diversity to enhance both senior staff. (1) Ducrocq V., Laloe D., Swaminathan M., Rognon X., performance and adaptation and is thereby Tixier-Boichard M., Zerjal T., 2018. Genomics for ruminants in line with agroecological principles. It in developing countries: from principles to practice. Front. benefits from a project funded by the Bill Genet., 9: 251. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00251 Food, feed, forage and malt Barley is the ultimate multipurpose crop for nutrition and livelihood security in the MENA drylands Integrated crop-livestock farming is the strategy is also more economically profitable biofortified human food or malt production. In predominant system in the drylands of the than only targeting high grain yield, especially in recent years, malt demand has increased by 83% Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where areas with >300 mm of rainfall(2), while ensuring in Ethiopia, and new contract farming schemes small-scale farmers struggle to maximize their year-round fodder availability, hence reducing provide premiums of up to 20% above the farm productivity under climate change. For pressure on rangelands. As such, the ICARDA market price(1), which has resulted in increased these farmers, cereal forage, stubble and straw Global Barley Breeding Program has recently malt barley cultivation. However, some malt are the main feed source for small ruminants developed new more efficient dual-purpose barley varieties fail to provide enough straw during summer and winter(3). With rising fodder barley genotypes that produce up to 20% fodder to fulfill crop-livestock farming system and forage prices, it is essential to breed and more forage in winter—as compared to needs. The release of new malt barley varieties grow cereals that target more than just grain the best commercial checks—that can be that combine superior malt production and yield. In this setting, barley is the perfect crop to grazed by livestock(3). However, maximizing straw yield(1), such as ICARDA EIAR varieties increase food and feed security by maximizing sustainable farming system profitability is also (IBON174/3, HB1963 and HB1964), can increase the efficiency and resilience of the crop-livestock essential to improve farmers’ livelihoods, which farmers’ revenues while generating fodder to farming system. Barley cropping has the dual means that farmers require access to new maximize the overall efficiency and resilience of advantage of producing substantial green efficient varieties that could be readily integrated the farming system. forage dry matter in winter—when forage in the targeted agroecological system. Farmers is otherwise scarce—thereby not penalizing gain higher economic and even nutritional the grain and fodder yield in summer. This benefit when grains target high value chains, like Contact For further information Miguel Sanchez-Garcia (ICARDA, CGIAR Morocco), (1) Ali A.B., 2018. Malt barley commercialization through (3) Ryan J., Singh M., Pala M., 2008. Long-term cereal-based m.sanchez-garcia@cgiar.org contract farming scheme: a systematic review of rotation trials in the Mediterranean region: implications experiences and prospects in Ethiopia. African Journal of for cropping sustainability. Adv. Agron., 97: 273-319. Agricultural Research, 13(53): 2957-2971. (4) Singh Verma R.P., 2017. Improvement of dual purpose (2) Ates S., Cicek H., Gultekin I., Yigezu Y.A., Keser M., barley for forage and straw for livestock. (5/2/2017). Filley S.J., 2018. Bio-economic analysis of dual-purpose https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/5807 q Dual-purpose management field trial in the management of winter cereals in high and low input ICARDA-Marchouch field station (Morocco). production systems. Field Crops, 227: 56-66. © M. Sanchez-Garcia 19 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices Development of novel field and genomics resources for diversifying food systems The African Orphan Crops Consortium acceptable germplasm resources. Modern improvement, prebreeding and breeding (AOCC*) and World Agroforestry genomics-driven models of yield and trait programs. The Consortium has published five (CIFOR-ICRAF) are developing prediction such as genomic selection, genome- tree genomes so far**. modern genomic and field resources for wide associations, QTL mapping, etc., along 4. Genebank management: in the absence of ~50 neglected trees of African importance to help with diversity breeding through different phenotypic data, tree genebanks can be guided in domestication, improvement and breeding. This breeding populations, form a backbone of tree by genomic markers to make operations more public-private partnership involves a group of 28 domestication and improvement programs. informed, efficient, economic and targeted. core partners and an extended network of more 2. T rait prioritization and trait metrics: than 25 collaborators(1). Diversification of farming apart from traits such as farm productivity, Traditional methods guided by modern tools are landscapes and food production systems through disease and pest tolerance, nutrient content, thus expected to enhance the acceptability of locally adapted and socioculturally acceptable tree architecture and mixed cropping these neglected trees beyond their traditional orphan or neglected local food crops is a key compatibility, smallholder traits like easy areas, thereby expanding the tree cover on to the resilience of agroecological production harvesting, processing, storage, farmer and farmland, boosting seed delivery systems, landscapes(2,3). These modern breeding and consumer preferences are also surfacing in impacting income and providing new livelihood improvement programmes are underpinned by the era of climate change and globalization. options to smallholder farmers. novel field and genomics resources as follows: Genomics-driven methods promise concurrent 1. Participatory domestication and and predictable modelling of such trait genomics-driven modern breeding improvement metrics. methods: the consortium along with the 3. G enomics resources: genome sequencing, collaborators and partners, uses CIFOR- diversity sequencing and gene/transcriptome ICRAF’s participatory tree domestication sequencing generate data that can be routed * AOCC: http://africanorphancrops.org approach for building locally adaptable and into germplasm management plans, population ** http://africanorphancrops.org/ongoing-projects q Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa subspecies nilotica) in its native habitat in Gambella region of Ethiopia. Shea tree is a species being explored by African orphan crops consortium (AOCC) for development of genomic resources for deployment in improvement and breeding programs. © Prasad S. Hendre Contacts Prasad S. Hendre (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), p.hendre@cgiar.org Ramni Jamnadass (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), r.jamnadass@cgiar.org Allen Van Deynze (University of California Davis, USA), avandeynze@ucdavis.edu Other authors Alice Muchugi, Anthony Simons, Lars Graudal (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya) Ian K. Dawson (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/ Scotland’s Rural College, UK) Howard Yana-Shapiro (University of California Davis, USA) p A shea tree protected within a p Naturally occurring new recruitment of shea trees in the shea parkland. community habitat. For further information (1) Hendre P.S., Muthemba S., Kariba R., Muchugi A., Fu Y., Chang Y., Song B., Liu H., Liu M., Liao X., Sahu S.K., Wang S., Li L., Lu H., Peng S., Cheng S., Xu X., Yang H., Wang J., Liu X., Simons A., Shapiro H.Y., Mumm R.H., Van Deynze A., Jamnadass R., 2019. African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC): status of developing genomic resources for African orphan crops. Planta, 250: 989-1003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-019-03156-9 (2) Dawson I.K., Powell W., Hendre P., Bančič J., Hickey J.M., Kindt R., Hoad S., Hale I., Jamnadass R., 2019. The role of genetics in mainstreaming the production of new and orphan crops to diversify food systems and support human nutrition. New Phytologist, 224: 37-54. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15895 (3) Jamnadass R., Mumm R.H., Hale I., Hendre P., Muchugi A., Dawson I.K., p Shea tree protected and maintained on p A shea tree protected and maintained within a community habitat. Powell W., Graudal L., Yana-Shapiro H., a maize farm. Simons A.J., Deynze A.V., 2020. Enhancing African orphan crops with genomics. Nature 20 Genetics, 52: 356-360. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-020-0601-x Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems When farmers and scientists collaborate Climate smart varieties for low-input cropping systems in Africa and Central America Improving sorghum and rice varieties to the prevailing soil and climate constraints, to farmers’ traditional cultivars for progressive secure food for the rural and urban poor, intensification objectives and local food intensification and adaptation to climate change(4); while delivering revenue opportunities in preferences(1,2). Farmers appreciate the higher secondly, the organization of a new framework regions vulnerable to climate change, requires and more stable yields achieved in their cropping that allows farmers, extension agencies and joint efforts. For 20 years now, CIRAD has systems, not to mention the quality of the scientists to work together toward disseminating been collaborating with farmers’ organizations, harvested grain for family consumption, as well future new varieties while developing better research institutes and NGOs to identify and as its high market value and enhanced fodder cropping systems. Today, farmers demand develop new sorghum varieties adapted to quality, especially for sorghum(1,3). In Burkina Faso, to be involved in all stages of experiments low-input agroecological cropping systems in collaboration between stakeholders on these conducted in their fields, from deciding West Africa and Central America, as well as varieties has prompted the set-up of new seed- which varieties and cultural practices new upland rice varieties for the highlands of production networks by farmers’ organizations, are best, to accessing and exchanging Madagascar—some of the regions most affected generating both revenue and employment(1). the future seed. In so doing, farmers and by climate change in the world. Impact analyses A similar breeding approach is being pursued in researchers are shifting from a researcher-led on these decentralized participatory breeding southern Madagascar. ‘participatory’ relationship to a partnership programs have revealed a large adoption model whereby the researcher is subsequently and dissemination of the developed The outcomes are hence of a dual nature: firstly, just one among several key stakeholders. varieties because of their adaptation to the development of varieties that are superior Contacts Gilles Trouche (AGAP, CIRAD, France), gilles.trouche@cirad.fr Kirsten vom Brocke (AGAP, CIRAD, France), kirsten.vom_brocke@cirad.fr For further information (1) Vom Brocke K., Kondombo C.P., Guillet M., Kaboré R., Sidibé A., Temple L., Trouche G., 2020. Impact of participatory sorghum breeding in Burkina Faso. Agricultural System, 180. (2) Breumier P., Ramarosandratana A., Ramanantsoanirina A., Vom Brocke K., Marquié C., Dabat M.-H., Raboin L.-M., 2018. Évaluation participative des impacts de la recherche sur le riz pluvial d'altitude à Madagascar de 1980 à 2015. Cahiers Agricultures, 27(1): 15004. https://doi.org/10.1051/cagri/2017065 (3) Trouche G., vom Brocke K., Aguirre S., Chow Z., 2009. Giving new sorghum variety options to resource-poor farmers in Nicaragua through participatory varietal selection. Exp. Agric., 45: 451-467. (4) Vom Brocke K., Trouche G., Weltzien E., Kondombo- Barro C.P., Sidibé A., Zougmoré R.B., Gozé E., 2014. Helping farmers adapt to climate and cropping system change through increased access to sorghum genetic resources adapted to prevalent sorghum cropping systems in Burkina Faso. Experimental Agriculture, 50(2): 284-305. p Final evaluation of a set of dual-purpose sorghum varieties developed through a decentralized participatory http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479713000616 breeding program in Nicaragua. © G. Trouche From gene banks to farmers’ fields The Seeds for Needs approach (durum wheat) Smallholder farmers’ needs cannot be q Woman farmer carrying her durum wheat harvest. © Y.G. Kidaneaddressed by one-size-fits-all approach in areas where the agroecological conditions are varied and farmers have different crop trait preferences. The conventional plant breeding strategy of using a narrow array of genetic stock ignores the high potential offered by genetic resources available in various gene banks. Moreover, this strategy increases the vulnerability of agriculture in the current climate change setting. The Seeds for Needs (S4N) approach, which combines genomics, conventional breeding, and farmers choices through crowdsourcing, aims at testing many varieties in farmers’ fields to select best performing superior varieties for specific climatic and edaphic growing conditions. By bringing seeds to farmers’ fields, women and men farmers have an opportunity to select varieties that can fulfil their needs and that are more tailored to their specific farms, with traditional knowledge taking a front seat in the 21 management process. …cont’d ☞ Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices In this case, 373 farmers’ durum wheat varieties from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute were tested under farmers’ growing conditions alongside 27 varieties released by the research system. After testing the general adaptability, we selected the most adaptable varieties for distribution to farmers. Researchers collected Contact agronomic data and farmers’ preference ranking Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane (Alliance of Bioversity data revealed that the top 20 varieties were International and CIAT, CGIAR, Ethiopia), derived from the gene bank. By distributing these y.gebrehawaryat@cgiar.org varieties to several hundred farmers using a For further information crowdsourcing approach, we empowered farmers Other authors • Mengistu D.K., Kidane Y.G., Catellani M., to manage their own seeds. At the third Dejene Kassahun Mengistu, Mulugeta Tilahun Melaku Frascaroli E., Fadda C., Pè M.E., Dell’Acqua M., 2016. season, most farmers were able to cover and Bogale Nigir Hailemariam (Alliance of Bioversity High-density molecular characterization and association 1 ha of their fields with a single variety, International and CIAT, CGIAR, Ethiopia, Kenya) mapping in Ethiopian durum wheat landraces reveals Carlo Fadda (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, high diversity and potential for wheat breeding. Plant increase their productivity by up to 100%, CGIAR, Kenya) Biotechnol. J. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12538 and on average their farm diversity was Basazen Fantahun Lakew (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, • Van Etten J., Beza E., Calderer L., Van Duijvendijk K., increased by fourfold. The S4N approach of Ethiopia) Fadda C., Fantahun B., Kidane YG., Zimmerer K., 2016. providing farmers with a portfolio of varieties First experiences with a novel farmer citizen science and integrating farmers’ decisions proved to be Mario Enrico Pè and Matteo Dell’Acqua (Institute of Life approach: crowdsourcing participatory variety selection Sciences, Italy) an effective tool for promoting agroecological through on-farm triadic comparisons of technologies Jemal Nurhsien and Afework Kiros (Mekelle University, (Tricot). Experimental Agriculture: 1-22. transition by linking gene banks to farmers’ fields. Ethiopia) doi: 10.1017/S0014479716000739 Participatory varietal selection accelerates farmer-led agroecological transition in Nepal Maize yields had been stagnant in the land included forest and grazing areas. A key trees on the risers were competing with the midhills of Nepal before a systems element in maintaining cropfield fertility was crop. Farmers did not strive to maximize maize approach(1) was used to inform through application of crop residue/livestock grain yield but rather to enhance the total farm participatory varietal selection in a farmer-led manure compost. Due to reduced access to tree productivity, which was based on soil fertility agroecological transition context involving the fodder from forest areas as they came under from dung as well other livestock products, and incorporation of fodder trees on farmland. The community forest regulation, farmers fostered relay cropped millet yields. Screening maize first step was to understand how the maize fitted regeneration of fodder trees on their crop varieties against farmers’ criteria and then into the farmers’ livelihood system by acquiring terrace risers to provide fodder in the dry allowing them to test different varieties local knowledge from farmers about how they winter period. Farmers did not follow agronomic themselves, led to the identification and produced maize(2). Landscapes in the midhills recommendations for maize but instead planted subsequent release of varieties that out- included both individually and commonly held at far higher densities than recommended, performed those used previously by up to land. Individually used cropland was often divided while thinning down to far lower densities 30%(3) because they had longer roots and into an upper slope (rainfed bari land where than recommended at harvest. They used the were thus able to yield better under local maize was grown) and lower slope (irrigated khet thinnings as livestock fodder and relay cropping farming conditions(4). land where rice was grown) (Figure). Communal with millet—all on crop terraces where fodder Contacts Thakur Prasad Tiwari (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Pakistan), t.tiwari@cgiar.org Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor University, UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org For further information (1) Sinclair F.L., 2017. Systems science at the scale of impact: reconciling bottom-up participation with the production of widely applicable research outputs. In Oborn I. et al. (eds): Sustainable intensification in smallholder agriculture: an integrated systems research approach. Earthscan London: 43-57. (2) Tiwari T.P., Brook R.M., Sinclair F.L., 2004. Implications of hill farmers' agronomic practices in Nepal for crop improvement in maize. Experimental Agriculture. 40: 1-21. (3) Tiwari T.P, Virk D.S., Sinclair F.L., 2009. Rapid gains in yield and adoption of new maize varieties for complex hillside environments through farmer participation. I. Improving options through participatory varietal selection p Farmer-led agroecological transition in the midhills of Nepal where fodder trees are regenerated on crop terrace (PVS). Field Crops Research, 111: 137-143. risers in response to declining fodder availability from communal forest land. (4) Tiwari T.P., Brook R.M., Wagstaff P., Sinclair F.L., 22 2012. Effects of light environment on maize in hillside agroforestry systems of Nepal. Food Security, 4: 103-114. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building resilient Mediterranean dryland rural communities North African and West Asian countries a participatory socioeconomic weighted (PWS) female cooperatives were engaged in have experienced devastating droughts strategy to define a precise list of traits to be the participatory process to select only in the past decade, with temperatures incorporated in an ideal variety(2). This list of varieties suitable for producing traditional rising 2-8°C above the 20th century average. traits could then be tailored to address the Mediterranean foods. These short rural National crop production subsequently needs of an agroecology or, more effectively, food value-chains led to a 10-fold increase dropped 30-40% below average. ‘Climate-smart’ a set of communities with similar needs. Yet in the selling price of the harvested grains varieties bred with genetic tolerance to these two approaches are required to be able to on food markets. Overall, this agroecological stresses(1) represent sustainable technological effectively deliver tailored varieties to individual approach boosted farm productivity and solutions. However, packing a variety with communities: (i) participatory variety selection(3) adaptation using better varieties and generated genetic advantages is often not enough to (PVS) to promote a sense of ownership regarding higher income through the empowerment of ensure farmers’ adoption, since subjective the selected varieties; (ii) paired with community- rural women. These achievements ensure that and objective preferences guide the decision based seed enterprises(4) to favor capillary seed local farmers will continue to grow crops as process(2). Hence, ICARDA has developed production and adoption. Pilot farmers engaged source of income, rather than shift towards a in this system produced 20-40% more in side- resource-degrading farming system more focused by-side comparisons between new and current on livestock grazing. varieties*. This socially weighted approach significantly enhanced the productivity and climate adaptation of the farming communities, but only marginally * DIIVA-PR Project, Dissemination of interspecific ICARDA varieties and elites through participatory research: improved their income. For this, rural https://mel.cgiar.org/projects/741 t Engagement of rural female cooperatives in very short food value chains. © M. Major Contacts Filippo M. Bassi (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), f.bassi@cgiar.org Miguel Sanchez-Garcia (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), (2) Alary V., Yigezu Y., Bassi F.M., 2020. Participatory m.sanchez-garcia@cgiar.org farmers-weighted selection (PWS) indices to raise Dina Najjar (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), adoption of durum cultivars. Crop Breeding Genetics and d.najjar@cgiar.org Genomics, 2: 1-20. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/12044 For further information (3) Bassi F., 2019. Selection by stone. (1) Sall A.T., Chiari T., Wasihun L., Kemal S.A., Ortiz R., van https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/10629 Ginkel M., Bassi F.M., 2019. Durum wheat (Triticum durum (4) Bishaw Z., Niane A.A., 2015. Are farmer-based seed Desf.): origin, cultivation and potential expansion in Sub- enterprises profitable and sustainable? Experiences of VBSEs Saharan Africa. Agronomy, 9. from Afghanistan. Chris Ojiewo (Curator), India. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/10010 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/7097 Farmer-led increase in tree diversity across agricultural landscapes in Ethiopia Increasing tree cover on farms in Ethiopia can Farmers identified u Conceptual Environment and contextcontribute to environment-friendly agroecological a highly diverse framework for an integrated farmer-transitions that support livelihoods. Yet most range of tree led approach to tree-planting schemes only promote a few species, species suitable increase tree cover Priority Available thereby limiting the scope for applying agroecological for each niche, and diversity on State of species seeds Survival Growth principles that enhance biodiversity, recycling and with fruit species farms, showing the trees in and andniches seedling synergy(1). Recent research to gain insight into mainly selected for change in tree cover landscape farmers’ tree planting priorities in semiarid and homesteads. The (grey arrow) and filters (blue). subhumid regions of Oromia, revealed a huge diversity of desired potential for increasing tree diversity through farmer- tree species was found to be much higher than 14 months, but there were striking differences led approaches(2). Tree species and planting niches that typically available in nurseries or promoted among species, farms, regions and planting niches. were elicited through focus group discussions. by tree planting projects. It was hard to meet the The high variation in seedling survival amongst Seedling survival and growth patterns were planting demand because the existing seedling species, indicates the impact of local risk factors then evaluated in participatory trials comparing supply was not very diverse. The overall mean attributable to management, biotic and abiotic 17 tree species across seven on-farm planting niches survival of tree seedlings planted on 1,893 causes. Growth differences between the six chosen by farmers. farm/planting niche locations across both regions shared species common to both agroecological was 45.6 (± 32.6) at 6 months and 33.6 (± 25.5)% at regions, across different niches (Cordia africana, Contacts Grevillea robusta, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Leucaena Abayneh Derero (Ethiopian Environment and Forest leucocephala, Moringa stenopetala and Sesbania Research Institute, Ethiopia), abaynehdd@yahoo.com; For further information sesban), revealed significant effects of species abaynehd@eefri.gov.et (1) Wezel A., Gemmill Herren B., Bezner Kerr R., and niche on growth (p < 0.001). A farmer- Catherine Muthuri (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), Barrios E., Gonçalves A.L.R., Sinclair F., 2020. Agroecological led approach to increase tree cover, c.muthuri@cgiar.org principles and elements and their implications for transitioning to sustainable food systems. A review. that combines an understanding of Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor University, species and planting niche preferences UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 40: 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-020-00646-z with appropriate seedling supply and Other authors (2) Derero A., Coe R., Muthuri C., Hadgu K.M., Sinclair F., management, is proposed as a means 2020. Farmer-led approaches to increasing tree diversity in to increase tree diversity in farmed Kiros M. Hadgu (ICRAF, CGIAR, Ethiopia) fields and farmed landscapes in Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems, landscapes (Figure). 23 Richard Coe (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya) (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-020-00520-7 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Improving post-harvest processes Minimizing insecticide use during grain storage in smallholder farming systems Reducing food losses is important to are frequently reported. Hermetic storage technologies also limit fungal infestation make more nutritious food available technologies (hermetic metal silo, hermetic bags, and the associated risk of mycotoxin and achieve Sustainable Development recycled hermetic plastic containers) represent production(1), maintain the percentage of Goal 2 – Zero Hunger. In a smallholder farming a viable alternative for smallholders as these seed germination, and minimize quality system, from on-field predrying and harvest airtight technologies—by stopping the exchange loss during storage. CIMMYT is promoting onward, grain undergoes processes during of oxygen and moisture between the stored grain the use hermetic technologies with smallholders which improper handling associated with abiotic and its environment—are effective in controlling along with good handling practices, including low- (ambient temperature, relative humidity) and pest activity inside the storage containers, without cost shelling and drying solutions and moisture biotic factors (insects, fungi, rodents) may lead the use of insecticides. Research has shown checking using simple methods. Building the to losses. To reduce losses, farmers may opt that, regardless of agroecological conditions, postharvest technology market is also a key to treat their grain with insecticides during hermetic storage technologies reduced aspect as it facilitates farmers’ physical and storage, frequently at inappropriate doses and postharvest losses from, on average, 39% economic access to high-quality technologies without adequate practices, and little is known (with conventional farmers’ practices) that have the potential of minimizing losses and about the associated health risks. Insecticide use to 3% in lowlands (< 500 m above sea strengthening their food security. by smallholders is a public health concern as level) in Mexico, where insect pressure intoxication cases in Mexico and Latin America is greater than in highlands. Hermetic u Working principle of hermetic Contacts technologies and hermetic technologies promoted by Sylvanus Odjo (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), CIMMYT in Mexico. © CIMMYT sylvanus.odjo@cgiar.org Bram Govaerts (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), b.govaerts@cgiar.org Nele Verhulst (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), n.verhulst@cgiar.org For further information (1) Odjo S., Burgueño J., Rivers A., Verhulst N., 2020. Hermetic storage technologies reduce maize pest damage in smallholder farming systems in Mexico. J. Stored Prod. Res., 88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2020.101664 Redesigning postharvest banana practices integrating agroecological constraints Consumer demand has been steadily not be sufficiently effective to compete the e.g. combining controlled atmosphere growing over the last decade for residue- chemical fungus control. As the harvest conditions with the use of oxidative free fruit and vegetables produced stage is the result of a trade-off between molecules like ozone. Abandonment of the without chemical treatments. New marketing the banana yield, green life(2) and fungal chemical treatment option poses many complex labels have thereby been developed to reassure disease susceptibility, it is a key parameter challenges yet it also opens new opportunities consumers on the safety and high quality of such to take into account in the design of for the research community and consumers. Total untreated produce. How can the high level of integrated solutions throughout the food elimination of chemical antifungal treatments will quality required by all banana stakeholders be chain. Moreover, the shipping stage needs create a virtuous circle by restoring consumer reconciled with the barrier-breaking adoption to be streamlined by implementing new confidence while fostering innovative research of a field-to-fork agroecological approach? technologies and innovative approaches, and development strategies. Addressing this future challenge has been a key research focus of the joint QualiSud research team (France). Indeed, banana is highly A B susceptible to postharvest diseases, particularly fungus attacks causing diseases like anthracnose (Photo A) and crown rot (Photo B). Contact It is now essential to implement an integrated C Pierre Brat (QualiSud, CIRAD, France), pierre.brat@cirad.fr approach to address this challenge while reconsidering postharvest practices through an For further information agroecological lens(1). This will be the best way to (1) Lassois L., Jijakli M.H., Chillet M., De Lapeyre de meet consumer demand for top quality bananas Bellaire L., 2010. Crown rot of bananas: preharvest produced under environment-friendly conditions. factors involved in postharvest disease development and Indeed, sanitary conditions in banana orchards p Photo A. Anthracnose disease on a integrated control methods. Plant disease, 94(6): 648-658. Cavendish banana. as well as in packing stations (Photo C) must Photo B. Crown rot on Cavendish bananas. (2) Brat P., Bugaud C., Guillermet C., Salmon F., 2020. be optimized to curb the fungus contamination Photo C. Pistil accumulation, a source of Review of banana green life throughout the food chain: risk as early as possible. These prophylactic Colletotrichum musae contamination at from auto-catalytic induction to the optimisation of measures—although essential—would however the packing station. shipping and storage conditions. Scientia Horticulturae, 262: 24 © P. Brat 109054. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Integrated examples Fostering seed circulation for sustainable agriculture From local to global adapt their crops. However, the role of farmers’ traditional social ranges so as to better meet seed networks—within which 80-90% of all their needs for varietal adaptation to climate seeds still circulate—with regard to biodiversity change(2). The use of adapted genetic resources conservation and the development of sustainable should be implemented at different scales while agriculture in response to global climate change respecting the diversity with regard to value has only recently begun to be considered by systems and access rights for multiple actors(3). researchers and policymakers(1). Through several This research has highlighted the role of research projects under way in West Africa farmers’ seed systems in reviving crop (Cerao, Coex, Amma2050, SeedAttach)*, we diversity, empowering local farmers, and assessed the role of crop diversity and farmers’ the need for their consideration in seed seed systems in boosting resilience to climate policy and genetic resource conservation. change. At the local scale in Senegal, our findings Farmers’ seed networks have made vital highlighted that family and neighborhood social * Amma2050, African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis contributions to crop diversity since the networks were pivotal to the reintroduction of 2050 (Natural Environment Research Council/UKAID): www.amma2050.org/fr/Homeorigin of agriculture. They provide an a long-cycle millet landraces, offering farmers a Cerao, Self-adaptation of tropical agro-socio-ecosystems to effective means of access to seed not only locally new option in their cropping strategies geared global changes? A long term study for ecological intensification between farmers, but also over long distances, towards climate change adaptation. Farmers’ of cereal production in West African savannas (ANR): https://anr.fr/en/funded-projects-and-impact/funded-projects/project/ as illustrated by historic (e.g. spread of farming seed systems must thus be preserved for funded/project/b2d9d3668f92a3b9fbbf7866072501ef-f76a020d40/?tx_ in sub-Saharan Africa with Bantu migration) and anrprojects_funded%5Bcontroller%5D=Funded&cHash=c32e0eea8f12the functions and services rendered within 931b19f0a101161168a3 recent (e.g. African rice as a slave agricultural agrosociosystems. At the regional scale, mapping Coex, Adaptative Governance for the Coexistence of heritage in the Americas) introductions. This the projected genomic vulnerability of pearl Crop Diversity Management System (Agropolis Fondation): www.agropolis-fondation.fr/CoEX-418?lang=fr has enabled farmers to reshape—by selection, millet by the year 2050, we showed that farmers SeedAttach (Agropolis Fondation), Community seed banks for social cultivation and further seed exchange—and are likely to need to source seeds beyond their justice and conservation of biodiversity? Networks of actors and dynamics of seed attachment p Diversity of sorghum grains in Cameroon. © A. Barnaud/IRD t Harvesting sorghum in Cameroon. © A. Barnaud/IRD Contacts Adeline Barnaud (DIADE, IRD, France), adeline.barnaud@ird.fr Frédérique Jankowski (SENS, CIRAD, France), frederique.jankowski@cirad.fr Christian Leclerc (AGAP, CIRAD, France), christian.leclerc@cirad.fr For further information (1) Coomes O.T. et al., 2015. Farmer seed networks make a limited contribution to agriculture? Four common misconceptions. Food Policy, 56: 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2015.07.008 (2) Rhoné B., Defrance D., Berthouly-Salazar C., et al., 2020. Pearl millet genomic vulnerability to climate change in West Africa highlights the need for regional collaboration. Nat Commun, 11: 5274. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19066-4 (3) Jankowski F., Louafi S., Kane N.A., et al., 2020. From texts to enacting practices: defining fair and equitable research principles for plant genetic resources in West Africa. Agric Hum Values, 37: 1083-1094. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-020-10039-3 Conservation agriculture and maize yields in sub-Saharan Africa Conservation agriculture (CA) is and crop rotation/intercropping, and related conditions and when herbicides were applied. promoted in sub-Saharan Africa as an management practices and contexts on maize Crop residue mulching provides groundcover agroecological practice that increases productivity in sub-Saharan Africa(1). We noted a and adds organic matter to the soil, thereby crop productivity in a sustainable way. CA is significant average 8.4% increase in maize enhancing soil functioning. This can increase crop not simply a single technology but a package yields when the three CA principles were productivity, especially in low-input cropping of management practices whose actual implemented concomitantly. Crop yield systems with limited external nutrient inputs. implementation varies among farmers. The effects benefits resulted principally from mulching and Mulching also reduces soil water evaporation on crop yields are therefore complex. We crop rotations or intercropping (Figure next loss and increases soil water infiltratio…n,c osnot’ dc ☞rops conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of page). It was also found that yield benefits make more effective use of rainfall. the three CA principles, i.e. no-tillage, mulching with CA were greatest under limited rainfall 25 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Increasing the efficiency of practices Crop rotations and intercropping disrupt pest and disease habitats and life cycles and the cropping system benefits from higher soil nitrogen levels when legumes are involved in the rotation. Herbicide treatments boost the CA performance, since chemical weeding is generally more effective NT-M-IR (141, 20) than mechanical (hand)weeding in managing the increased weed pressure in the absence of tillage. Yet the adoption of mulching and crop rotations is not easy for many smallholder farmers in sub- Saharan Africa who manage mixed crop-livestock NT+M-IR (389, 46) systems. Crop residues have several other uses on farms, especially livestock feed. Legumes are often overlooked as rotation crops or intercrops, since functional markets are generally lacking for their sale. Finally, sustainability concerns regarding NT+M+IR (178, 21) herbicide use highlight the need for alternative effective weed control strategies for smallholders adopting CA. Contacts Marc Corbeels (AIDA, CIRAD, France), -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 marc.corbeels@cirad.fr Effect on yield (%) Krishna Naudin (AIDA, CIRAD, France) krishna.naudin@cirad.fr p Effects of conservation agriculture (CA) relative to conventional tillage (CT) on maize grain yield under different combined CA principles. For further information NT-M-IR indicates no- or reduced tillage without crop residue mulching and crop rotation or intercropping, (1) Corbeels M., Naudin K., Whitbread A.M. et al., 2020. NT+M-IR indicates no- or reduced tillage with crop residue mulching and without crop rotation or Limits of conservation agriculture to overcome low crop intercropping and NT+M+IR indicates no- or reduced tillage with crop residue mulching and crop rotation or yields in sub-Saharan Africa. Nat Food, 1: 447-454. intercropping). Values represent mean effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals. The number of observations https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-0114-x and studies per category are shown in parentheses. Source: Corbeels et al. (2020). Tree stakes for climbing beans in Rwanda Population growth and land fragmentation To sustainably address this situation, the included Senna spectabilis, Gliricidia sepium (farm sizes 0.3–0.6 ha) in Rwanda Trees4FoodSecurity project*, through a Calliandra calothyrsus, Grevillea robusta, Vernonia has resulted in reduced agricultural participatory approach, introduced a range of amygdalina and Lantana camara stakes, with the productivity and increased hunger and agroforestry interventions in semi-arid Bugesera latter two generally producing lower yields, malnutrition, with 38% of children under 5 years and humid Gishwati districts to provide staking probably due to weaker and shorter stakes. being stunted. Rwanda has the highest bean options for different contexts. A total of Irrespective of the staking treatment, yields were consumption (29 kg person-1 yr -1) in the world. 540 participatory trials involving 387 farmers highest in the wetter Rweru sector and lowest Climbing and bush beans are affordable and were set up. In Gishwati, bean yields using in the drier Musenyi sector. The study clearly highly nutritious. However, vertical production Alnus acuminata stakes produced 1.7-2.2 t/ha demonstrated that agroforestry offers a cost- of climbing beans enhances land use efficiency compared to 1.4-1.9 t/ha with the commonly effective and sustainable way of boosting bean over bush beans, with 0.5–2-fold higher yields. used Pennisetum purpureum stakes. At various production, thereby enhancing food, nutritional Despite this, climbing bean cropping is hampered sites in Bugesera district (Musenyi, Juru, Rweru and environmental security in Rwanda. The by the lack or inadequate supply of stakes, other and Nyamata sectors), the use of stakes identification of climbing bean varieties well- competing needs for stakes (e.g. firewood), and increased bean yields from the baseline adapted to the semiarid environmental conditions the high demand for fodder through the ‘One- 0.7 t/ha under bush beans to a maximum in Bugesera is recommended. cow-per-poor-family’ program. of 2.5 t/ha under climbing beans, depending on stake type and field location. Staking options * Trees4FoodSecurity project: https://bit.ly/2xOwwzV u Photo showing climbing beans and bush beans in Juru Bugesera, Rwanda. © J. Nyaga, Rwanda Contacts Catherine W. Muthuri (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), c.muthuri@cgiar.org Athanse Mukuralinda (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), a.mukuralinda@cgiar.org Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor University, UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org For further information • www.worldagroforestry.org/blog/2020/04/03/more- stakes-more-climbing-beans-less-malnutrition-rwanda- finds-solution • Musoni A., Kayumba J., Butare L., Mukamuhirwa F., Murwanashyaka D., Kelly J.D., Ininda J., Gahakwa D., 2014. Innovations to overcome staking challenges to growing climbing beans by smallholders in Rwanda. In Vanlauwe B. et al. (eds.): Challenges and opportunities for agricultural 26 intensification of the humid highland systems of Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer International Publishing, Heidelberg. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Agroecology in North African irrigated plains? Mapping promising practices and characterizing farmers’ rationales In the irrigated plains of North Africa, integration of legumes in crop successions), productive resource sustainability is subject increasing per-ha agricultural production (relay to multiple threats linked to the prevailing intercropping, intercropping, agroforestry), productivist irrigated agriculture model. These or providing multiple ecosystem services threats—such as soil degradation and unequal (diversification, livestock integration). access to resources, markets and information— These practices are jointly used, mostly to: Contacts prompt farmers to mobilize depleting natural (i) increase land-use efficiency, and hence Fatah Ameur (Center for Research in Applied Economics resources, including soil and water, often in address land fragmentation; (ii) diversify cropping for Development, CREAD, Algeria), an environmentally unsustainable way. strategies, and decrease market-related risks; and ameur_fatah@hotmail.com Farmers sometimes update their strategies by (iii) reduce expensive production costs related Hichem Amichi (LISST, Université de Toulouse, France), implementing alternative farming practices to to irrigation and chemical fertilization. The large hichem.amichi@purpan.fr sustain their farming systems and derived incomes. differences observed in the adoption of these Crystele Leauthaud (G-EAU, CIRAD, France), crystele.leauthaud@cirad.fr A group of researchers, led by the G-EAU practices in the three case study sites suggests joint research unit in Montpellier, conducted a a strong influence of contrasting sociopolitical For further information study to map and analyze these existing local and historical factors at regional and national farming practices with agroecological potential. levels. An analysis of farmers’ rationales with • Akakpo K., Bouarfa,S., Benoît M., Leauthaud C., 2021. Challenging agroecology through the characterization of The approach involved direct observations regard to implementing such practices revealed farming practices’ diversity in Mediterranean irrigated combined with 150 interviews of farmers in three that economic imperatives take precedence areas. European Journal of Agronomy, 128: 26284. major irrigated plain regions in North Africa, over environmental concerns. As such, these • Ameur F., Amichi H., Leauthaud C., 2020. Agroecology i.e. Merguellil, Upper Cheliff and Saiss plains practices can be seen as: (i) a means of access to in North African irrigated plains? Mapping promising in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, respectively. low-cost strategies for smallholder farmers; or practices and characterizing farmers’ underlying logics. The findings showed that a wide range of (ii) a pathway to international markets for Regional Environmental Change, 20(4): 1-17. alternative practices with agroecological agribusiness farmers. Awareness of the • Leauthaud C., Akakpo K., Ameur F., 2020. Des pratiques potential exist or are emerging, in extensive local knowledge related to ecological agroécologiques invisibles en milieu irrigué en Tunisie : exemple de la plaine du Merguellil. In: Bouarfa S. et al. contrast to the predominant intensive intensification strategies, as identified here, could (coord.) : Quelles agricultures irriguées demain ? Répondre farming-oriented model. The most common help pave the way to more sustainable agriculture aux enjeux de la sécurité alimentaire et du développement practices are geared towards improving soil in this intensively cultivated region of the world. durable. Éditions Quæ, France. 212 p. fertility management (manure tea production, • Project website: http://viana.cirad.fr/ p Presence (%) of each identified practice with agroecological potentials at the three case study sites, differentiated by practice type. From Ameur et al. (2020) 27 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Chapter 2 Substituting intensive external input use by biodiversity-derived ecosystem functions One of the fundamental principles of agroecology is to increase Research addressing this substitution stage could fall in three categories:crop performance by strengthening ecosystem functions driven by available agrobiodiversity. This so-called ecological Biological pest and disease regulation: Controlling crop pests intensification process enhances biomass production by improving and diseases is a key factor determining the final yield. Pesticide-use nutrient and water cycles and combating pests and diseases, while is claimed to be ‘convenient’, i.e. a single product may be designed to keeping external input use to the bare minimum. This chapter presents kill a range of pests, pathogens, weeds, etc. In-depth knowledge on research summaries regarding Gliessman’s second transition level, the functionalities at play in living communities is needed to be able which aims: “to replace external input-intensive and environmentally to replace pesticides or minimize their use, e.g. through regulation degrading products and practices with those that are more renewable, provided by biodiversity uses. A few examples are outlined here. In based on natural products, and more environmentally sound [….] They general, increasing varietal diversity, and optimizing its pattern in the employ alternative practices that include the use of nitrogen-fixing field is a low-cost strategy to reduce the impact of pests and diseases cover crops and rotations to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, the (de Santis et al.), as illustrated in Ethiopian Highlands, where temporal use of natural controls of pests and diseases, and the use of organic and varietal diversification were found to minimize the impact of rust composts for fertility and soil organic matter management.” epidemics in wheat crops, and of Orobanche crenata in temperate food legume crops (Kemal et al.). The use of auxiliary species to At this level, the focus is essentially on the cropping system (more rarely control pests and diseases can be a second step: in Réunion, increasing on the production system) and the practice changes mainly concern biodiversity—animal, plant and microbial—in the vicinity of the crop specific production aspects: nutrient dynamics, pest protection, water fields, and both above- and below-ground, can markedly reduce, and efficiency, etc. Essentially six HLPE principles are applied in innovations, sometimes eliminate, pesticide use in horticulture (Deguine et al.); i.e. recycling, input reduction, soil health, animal health, biodiversity in southern Europe, the careful introduction and mass rearing of and synergy and in some cases co-creation of knowledge (when there Cotesia typhae, a new parasitoid species that preys on corn stemborers is participatory innovation). The most important principle applied (Sesamia nonagrioides), is promising (Kaiser et al.). However, decisions here is diversification and the overall idea is to mobilize or amplify with regard to using these tools may not depend only on their efficacy, ecosystemic functions while minimizing the use of external inputs the concerned farmers might be locked into their technical practices that are widely used in intensive production systems. At this level of due to external constraints (Navarrete et al.). These agroecological transformation, farmers are the main actors involved. techniques are sometimes complex and require in-depth research in plant and animal physiology. In Madagascar, a combination of silica The external input substitution process depends greatly on the inputs and enhanced earthworm activity was found to enhance rice cropping system considered and the local context. The transformation crop tolerance to leaf blast (Pyricularia sp.), which disappeared when pathways to apply transition step 2 could differ markedly because there nitrogen fertilizers were applied (Blanchart). Soil biodiversity is are several starting points and different changes of pace. For example, essential for crop health and rhizosphere microbiomes, when enhanced in a low-input production system, the focus would be more on finding with growth-promoting microbes, produce multiple benefits of induced ways to intensify and increase yields, without recourse to excessive plant growth, defense against diseases and survival under stress use of external inputs. However, in an intensive, high external input (Gopalakrishnan et al.). Biocontrol through the use of plant extracts system, the focus would be on determining how to reduce the use of in crop fields is also an interesting avenue to be explored (Sylvie & these inputs and substituting with organic and agroecological functions, Martin). without significant yield loss or reduction. q Agroecology in Senegal. © T. Chevallier/IRD 28 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Reducing dependency on external costly inputs: Soil fertility India, combining different tools to control fall army worms without is one of the most important elements in production systems, which insecticide use seems very promising (Jaba et al.); as well as in Mexico explains the massive use of external fertilizer inputs in conventional with the use of pheromone traps (Fonteyne et al.). The current cropping systems. Alternative approaches, based on the agroecological vegetable production boom in sub-Saharan Africa relies on intensive principles of recycling, diversification and soil health management, allow chemical control, and agroecological methods are now employed to substantial input reduction. This is illustrated here: by the fine-tuned reduce this chemical input reliance. One example concerns the use of management of manure applications on Sahelian soils (Lardy et al.; affordable low-tech net houses that protect plants against pests and Masse); the so-called priming effect to enhance the mineralization extreme climatic conditions (Deletre et al.). The next generation of of organic matter which is essential for soil health and nutrient crop pest and weed management in countries of the Global South will supplies (Bernard & Maron); the optimized use of crop residues be scalable and based on a combination of nature-based solutions and associated with legume cover crops in industrial palm plantations, affordable digital mobile phone-based tools tailored for use by low- where fertilizer inputs could represent up to 80% of the total cost literacy farmers (Tamò & Chikoye; Malézieux). of the crop (Bessou); or crop residue composting with manure in intensive rice cropping systems in the Mekong region (Nguyen et al.). In livestock production, the sometimes massive use of chemicals to Soil fertility and crop yields were shown to be markedly improved in control crop pests and parasites has major impacts on health and the agroforestry systems: associations with Ziziphus mauritiana trees in environment, particularly regarding the issue of antibiotic resistance Sahelian regions improved the rainwater use efficiency, soil fertility and development. Drastic changes in production systems are thus needed millet yields, while maintaining the soil organic carbon content (Bado alongside the adoption of One Health approaches (Ducrot et al.). Two et al. and chapter 3, see page 50). Although requiring innovative tenure examples of alternatives are presented here: the promising use of color arrangements with regard to both land and trees (Chomba et al.), as baited toxic screens and baits to control hematophagous flies that can well as long-term investment and financial support, the introduction of transmit numerous diseases to humans and livestock (Desquesnes trees was found to substantially boost farmers’ income within a few et al.); and the diversification of pasture plant species that was found to years, thereby enhancing their family’s livelihood (La et al.). Associations reduce outbreaks of sheep, goat, equine and bovine parasites, in turn with legume crops were found to improve soil fertility, and the use of significantly reducing prophylactic helminthicide treatments (Dumont bioinoculants could boost crop yields provided that their quality is et al.). Aquaculture also involves high usage of dangerous inputs, yet controlled (Herrmann et al). Diversification in climate change stricken solutions for ecological intensification in aquaculture exist based on regions could also provide gains in terms of water management optimized diversification of trophic links and integration with other (Devkota & Nangia) types of production (Caruso et al.). Substituting environmentally disruptive inputs: Pest and disease The sections below provide some details on examples of agroecology control with pesticides is a major source of pollution and health hazards interventions relating to the three categories of research that in the tropics, and replacing these dangerous chemicals is crucial goal of addresses the substitution stage and principle. agroecology. This is illustrated here in the agroecological approaches implemented to control devastating fall army worms (Spodoptera frugiperda): in Africa, through integrated strategies (improving plant Kwesi Atta-Krah (IITA, CGIAR) health through better soil fertility, diversifying farms and landscapes Étienne Hainzelin (Board of Directors, CIRAD) to favor natural enemies and increase their efficacy (Harrison); in 29 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Biological pest and disease regulation Agroecology and crop varietal mixtures for pathogen damage reduction Large-scale monocultures—triggered by the Varietal diversity represents a low-cost strategy Green Revolution and the availability of to reduce the impact of pests and diseases, new technologies—are a major feature whose attacks are curbed by the heterogeneous of the agricultural intensification process. This responses of varieties deployed in the field. phenomenon has led to a remarkable increase Several factors contribute to the efficacy in food production over the last century. of intraspecific diversity in reducing pest Despite increases in agricultural productivity, and disease damage, including the number this move to uniformity and increased use and type of varieties, which need to differ of agricultural inputs, particularly for pest and in their susceptibility, amount, distribution disease management, has had profound, damaging and arrangement in the field. Varietal side-effects to ecosystem functioning, such as mixtures help reduce the pest incidence and the reduction of beneficial organisms. Despite disease severity by limiting the capacity of the technological advances such as the breeding of infecting agents to attack the host, while also highly resistant varieties, the reduced diversity is reducing the infestation severity and restraining negatively affecting farming system performance the pathogen population and its capacity to and resilience, particularly for smallholders evolve and overcome the host’s resistance. farming in marginal rainfed agroecological areas. A A study carried out on common bean in Uganda burgeoning body of literature has highlighted the demonstrated that a systematic random Contacts superior efficacy of multilines, varietal mixtures varietal mixture (50% of a resistant variety) Paola De Santis (Alliance of Bioversity International and and varieties with non-uniform resistance significantly reduced bean fly damage CIAT, CGIAR, Italy), p.desantis@cgiar.org compared to pure cultures with regard to disease on the susceptible variety. Furthermore, Rose Nankya (Alliance of Bioversity International and control and enhanced crop yields in small- and damage reduction was often correlated CIAT, CGIAR, Uganda), r.nankya@cgiar.org medium-scale systems. This efficacy is particularly with higher yields. Varietal diversity reduces Devra I. Jarvis (Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research, clearcut against airborne pathogens (e.g. rust and the need for pesticide use and helps maintain Italy/Washington State University, USA), d.jarvis@cgiar.org powdery mildew affecting small grain crops). a healthy environment, in turn leading to an increase in natural enemies, while reducing the Other authors development of insecticide resistance in pests Paolo Colangelo (National Research Council Research and pathogens. Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Italy) John Wasswa Mulumba (National Agriculture Research Organization, Uganda) q Farmers in the field assessing different common bean varieties in Nakaseke, Uganda. © D.I. Jarvis Loubna Belqadi (Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Morocco) José Ochoa (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIAP, Ecuador) Carmen Suarez Capello (Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Ecuador) Yunyue Wang (Yunnan Agricultural University, China) Hua Xian Peng (Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China) Carlo Fadda and Keyu Bai (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Kenya and China respectively) For further information • Jarvis D.I., Padoch C., Cooper H.D. (eds.), 2007. Managing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems. Columbia University Press. • Mulumba J.W., Nankya R., Adokorach J., Kiwuka C., Fadda C., De Santis P., Jarvis D.I., 2012. A risk-minimizing argument for traditional crop varietal diversity use to reduce pest and disease damage in agricultural ecosystems of Uganda. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 157: 70-86. • Ssekandi W., Mulumba J.W., Colangelo P., Nankya R., Fadda C., Karungi J., Otim M., De Santis P., Jarvis D.I., 2015. The use of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) traditional varieties and their mixtures with commercial varieties to 30 manage bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) infestations in Uganda. Journal of Pest Science: 1-13. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Management of emerging pests through crop diversification in wheat- based cropping systems in the Horn of Africa and MENA region T raditionally smallholder farmers in the required to avoid a shortage of important crops rust epidemics and improved sustainable Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for nutritional security and to mitigate climate wheat-based production systems. The grow different field crops for food, change and farming system transitions that favor second intervention focused on managing weeds income, soil fertility and animal feed. However, new diseases, parasitic weeds and insect pests. (Orobanche spp.) affecting food legumes through due to increased government incentives and crop diversification. The intervention involved high market demands, farmers tend to grow Two interventions were conducted to diversify selection and promotion of non-host alternative wheat year after year on vast expanses of arable wheat monocropping and manage parasitic crops (fenugreek, linseed, and common bean) land, while the demand for food legumes is filled weeds of temperate food legumes in the in farmers’ fields in the northeastern highlands through huge imports. In many parts of MENA, highlands of Ethiopia. ILRI-ICARDA implemented of Ethiopia. In conclusion, spatiotemporal crop wheat monocropping is a chronic production validated crop technologies and scaling to diversification should be further investigated challenge, leading to poor soil health and rust reduce wheat monocropping while promoting and promoted as an effective crop production epidemics that cause crop losses and incur temporal crop and variety diversification in approach to minimize the impact of new and high production costs. The reduction in crop this region. Farmers preferred high-yielding emerging pests on the livelihoods of farming and variety diversification also forces farmers and disease-resistant durum wheat cultivars, communities and on the erosion of cereal and to buy more expensive pulse crops to fulfil while barley and food legumes were scaled out food legume genetic resources in MENA and East household food needs in East African highland using informal seed systems. The approach African highland areas. areas. Crop diversification approaches are thus increased productivity, minimized cereal Contacts Seid Kemal (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), s.a.kemal@cgiar.org Zewdie Bishaw (ICARDA, CGIAR, Ethiopia), z.bishaw@cgiar.org Kindu Mekonnen (ILRI, CGIAR, Ethiopia), k.mekonnen@cgiar.org For further information • Bishaw Z., Yigezu Y.A., Niane A., Telleria R.J., Najjar D. (eds), 2019. Political economy of the wheat sector in Morocco: seed systems, varietal adoption, and impacts. ICARDA, Beirut, 300 p. https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/8505 • Michler J.D., Josephson A.L., 2017. To specialize or diversify: agricultural diversity and poverty dynamics in Ethiopia. World Development, 89: 214-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.08.011 Funding 1. Diversification of the wheat-based cropping system in the highlands of Ethiopia was funded by AFRICA RISING/ USIAD project through ILRI. https://africa-rising.net/category/ilri/ 2. Management of parasitic weeds on food legumes in Ethiopia was funded by Agricultural Innovation MKTPlace, p Selection of non-host species for crop diversification to manage parasitic weeds in northeastern Ethiopia. Embrapa-Brazil. www.embrapa.br/en/marketplace © ICARDA Agroecological protection of fruit and vegetable crops in Réunion Horticultural crops are—alongside sugarcane—the main agricultural outputs in Réunion. The use of pesticides to control animal pests, plant pathogens and weeds, as widely practiced since the 1980s, has shown its limits: low efficiency and profitability, negative environmental and health impacts, ecological imbalances, etc. Since the late 2000s, collective approaches based on agroecological crop protection (ACP) principles have been developed and implemented as a sustainable alternative to pesticide use for horticultural production. Vegetable crops (Cucurbitaceae: chayote, zucchini, pumpkin; Solanaceae: tomato) and fruit crops (mango) were considered. ACP is an agroecologically-oriented approach based on two main principles: the promotion of plant and animal biodiversity in agroecosystems; and maintenance and improvement of soil health in cultivated plots. …cont’d ☞ t Maize trap plants placed around a zucchini 31 crop plot, as one of the agroecological levers used to control fruit flies. © J.-P. Deguine/CIRAD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use These initiatives involved many partners from the without loss of production, reduction of labor agricultural sector, with farmers being at the core of time and increased farmer satisfaction. For the system. They were conducted in several stages example, two-thirds of the chayote (Sechium edule) before, during and after partnership R&D projects. cropping area is now under organic farming with The performance of agrochemically-controlled agroecological practices. This research has given rise horticultural cropping systems was compared to new projects focused on diversified cropping with that of agroecological cropping systems in systems, while generic drivers of the adoption of commercial fields (Table). The results were very innovative agroecological cropping systems have also Contact encouraging(1,2,3): drastic reduction or even been proposed. Jean-Philippe Deguine (PVBMT, CIRAD, Réunion, France), elimination of pesticides (especially herbicides jean-philippe.deguine@cirad.fr and insecticides), restoration of biodiversity * http://gamour.cirad.fr/site ** https://ecophytopic.fr/recherche-innovation/concevoir-son-systeme/ (e.g. arthropods) and ecological functioning Other authorsrescam-reseau-dexperimentations-de-systemes-cultures of agroecosystems (fruit and vegetable *** www.agriculture-biodiversite-oi.org/Biophyto Luc Vanhuffel (Association réunionnaise pour la modernisation production), reduction of production costs **** https://ecophytopic.fr/dephy/conception-de-systeme-de-culture/projet- de l’économie fruitière, légumière et horticole, ARMEFLHOR, st0p Réunion, France) Vegetable crops Fruit crops Marlène Marquier (Fédération départementale des groupements de défense contre les organismes nuisibles, Recommended agroecological practice (Cucurbitaceae) (mango) FDGDON, Réunion, France) Chayote Courgette Mango Rachel Graindorge (Chambre d’agriculture de La Réunion, Discontinuation of conventional insecticide Yes Yes Yes Réunion, France) treatments Jean-Noël Aubertot (AGIR, INRAE, France) Discontinuation of herbicide treatments Yes Yes Yes For further information Sanitation (augmentorium) Yes Yes Yes (1) Deguine J.-P., Jacquot M., Allibert A., Chiroleu F., Permanent vegetation cover Yes No Yes Graindorge R., Laurent P., Albon B., Marquier M., Trap plants No Yes Yes Gloanec C., Lambert G., Vanhuffel L., Vincenot D., Flower strips No No Yes Aubertot J.-N., 2018. Agroecological protection of mango orchards in Réunion. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, 28: 249- Refuge plants No No Yes 308. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90309-5_8 Reduction of mineral fertilization Yes No No (2) Deguine J.-P., Atiama-Nurbel T., Vanhuffel L., Cresson C., Organic amendments Yes Yes Yes 2019a. Recent advances in organic cultivation of chayote Traps Yes Yes Yes (Sechium edule) in Reunion Island. Organic agriculture, 10: 135-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-019-00255-5 Use of adulticide bait No Yes Yes Curative measures* No No No (3) Deguine J.-P., Aubertot J.-N., de Cambiaire J.-C., Cresson C., Fares M., Lambert G., Marquier M., Nurbel T., p An ordered and methodical strategy for agroecological crop protection, adopted for experiments Laurent P., Vanhuffel L., Vincenot D., 2019b. Development on Cucurbitaceae and mango in Réunion (in Deguine et al., 2019b). of agroecological horticultural systems in Réunion. In Côte Chayote and courgette are considered separately (with other field crops such as pumpkin and cucumber being F.-X., et al. (eds): The agroecological transition of agricultural pooled with courgette) since chayote is grown on arbours and can be managed as a perennial crop. Courgette, on systems in the Global South. Agricultures et défis du monde the other hand, is a field vegetable with a short cycle. In the table, ‘Yes’ means that the practice is recommended collection, AFD, Cirad, Éditions Quæ, Versailles: 127-140. and ‘No’ that the practice is not recommended. • IPSIM-CHAYOTE website: a tool to help farmers predict, * In these curative measures, the use of chemical pesticides is considered to be a last resort and must only be used discuss and manage chayote fly damage in Réunion: in an optimized and targeted way, with as little impact as possible so as not to jeopardize biological control. https://pvbmt-apps.cirad.fr/apps/ipsim-chayote/?lang=en Promoting a new Cotesia species as a first biological control agent against the invasive Mediterranean corn borer in France Insect parasitoids play an important role in specialized on a single host species(3). The latter, investigating the potential of this parasitoid in limiting phytophagous insect populations. Sesamia nonagrioides, mainly causes damage to to control the pest via yearly releases, while Because they often have a narrow host- maize in southern Europe where damage rates addressing the following aspects: (i) mechanisms range, many parasitoid species are used for often increase due to mild winters, lack of of parasitism success and specificity; (ii) risk pest insect control. A research program on the authorized insecticides and lack of a biocontrol of establishment in the French environment; diversity of Lepidoptera stemborers and their agent. A Kenyan C. typhae strain was found (iii) conditions of success in greenhouses; and parasitoids in sub-Saharan Africa has led to the to have high parasitic success on European (iv) mass-rearing techniques. characterization of a new parasitoid species, S. nonagrioides host populations(1). A French- …cont’d ☞ Cotesia typhae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Kenyan research program* is currently p From left to right: Cotesia typhae female antennating a Sesamia nonagrioides larval dejection at the tunnel entrance. © C.J. Parisot/EGCE 32 C. typhae female ovipositing dozens of eggs into S. nonagrioides larva. © R. Benoist, EGCE C. typhae nymphal cocoons formed around the host body after completion of larval endoparasitic development. © L. Kaiser/EGCE Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The decision to authorize the use of exotic sugarcane stemborers in Brazil. If successful, * CoteBio ANR-AFB project: https://bit.ly/3septaJ macro-organisms for crop protection in biological control with C. typhae will ** Phenofore SEMAE project: www.arvalisinstitutduvegetal.fr/phenophore-@/view-3153-arvstatiques.htm France depends on the environmental cost- illustrate the essential contribution of benefit balance. We expect the cost to be low long-term ecological and biological studies considering: (i) the rare presence in non-crop to the setting up of effective sustainable habitats of Cotesia flavipes, a sister species that pest control methods. was introduced in East Africa 25 years ago to Contacts control an invasive maize pest(4); and (ii) current Laure Kaiser (EGCE, CNRS, France), (2) Kaiser L., Le Ru B.P., Kaoula F., Paillusson C., results with C. typhae highlighting a low probability laure.kaiser-arnauld@egce.cnrs-gif.fr Capdevielle-Dulac C., Obonyo J.O., Herniou E., Jancek S., of long-term establishment. Knowledge obtained Paul-André Calatayud (EGCE, IRD, France), Branca A., Calatayud P.-A., Silvain J.-F., Dupas S., 2015. on the natural habitat of C. typhae(2) led to a paul-andre.calatayud@ird.fr Ongoing ecological speciation in Cotesia sesamiae, listing of a dozen non-target stemborer species a biological control agent of cereal stem borers. Evolutionary Applications, 8(8): 807-20. in France. Few cases of successful parasitism Other authors (CoteBio consortium) doi: 10.1111/eva.12260 have been recorded in laboratory conditions. P.-A. Calatayud, T. Fortuna, F. Mougel, F. Rebaudo, (3) Kaiser L., Fernandez-Triana J., Capdevielle-Dulac C., This risk would be mitigated by the fact that, as M. Anne (EGCE, UPSaclay-CNRS-IRD, France) Chantre C., Bodet M., Kaoula F., Benoist R., Calatayud P.-A., C. typhae developmental lethality begins at 10°C, J. Obonyo (ICIPE, Kenya) Dupas S., Herniou E.A., Jeannette R., Obonyo J., Silvain J.F., it is unlikely that these parasitoids would survive J.-M. Drezen, C. Bressac (IRBI, U.F. Rabelais-CNRS, France) Le Ru B., 2017. Systematics and biology of Cotesia the winter. Regarding the benefits, preliminary typhae sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), J.-B. Thibord (Arvalis, France) greenhouse data on parasitism rates and length a potential biological control agent against the noctuid J. Frandon (Bioline Agrosciences, France) Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides. ZooKeys, of efficiency of a single release are encouraging. 682: 105-136. doi: 10.3897/zookeys 13016 Mass production will be carried out in Kenya. For further information (4) Mailafiya D.M., Le Ru B.P., Kairu E.W., Calatayud P. -A., A mathematical model will be developed to (1) Benoist R., Paquet S., Decourcelle F., Guez J., Jeannette R., Dupas S., 2010. Geographic distribution, host range simulate data in field conditions**. Upscaling to Calatayud P.-A., Le Ru B., Mougel F., Kaiser L., 2020. Role and perennation of Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes field conditions will also benefit from experience of egg-laying behavior, virulence and local adaptation in a Cameron in cultivated and natural habitats in Kenya. regarding the marketing of C. flavipes to control parasitoid’s chances of reproducing in a new host. J. Insect Biological Control, 54: 1-8. Physiol., 120: 103987. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103987 doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.11.008 Towards agroecological soil pest management in sheltered vegetable cropping systems in Provence In France, despite public policies urging pests, such as easier access to key agroecological Contactsreductions in pesticide use, agroecological soil management inputs (organic amendments, Mireille Navarrete (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), practices for soil pest management are not resistant varieties) and the development of mireille.navarrete@inrae.fr widely applied on vegetable crop farms. This networks for knowledge exchange between Yann Boulestreau (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), study focused on conventional vegetable farming vegetable crop farmers. The outputs of this socio- yann.boulestreau@tutanota.com systems in Provence (France) that are geared technical analysis were shared with and enhanced Marion Casagrande (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), towards long-distance value chains. Based on semi- by stakeholders using a specially tailored serious marion.casagrande@inrae.fr structured interviews, grey literature, participatory game that we designed. SoilH&co is based on a observations and multi-actor workshops, as well as simplified representation of vegetable production For further information a novel framework for analyzing farming practice and the different stakeholders that influence it, • Boulestreau Y., Casagrande M., Navarette M., 2021. Analyzing determinants, we showed that an interlinked set while also dealing with the effects of technical barriers and levers for practice change : a new framework of barriers to changing of farming practices choices on soil pest infestation levels. The use of applied to vegetables’ soil pest management. Agron. Sustain. Dev., 41, 44: 18. is impeding the agroecological transition the game, while reversing the roles of vegetable of these vegetable cropping systems. These growers and non-growers, enabled stakeholders to • Boulestreau Y., 2021. A co-design approach for innovating from the cropping to the agrifood system: application to the barriers occur at different scales (plot, farm, understand the current lock-in and identify levers agroecological management of soil-borne pests and diseases territory, etc.) and involve a diverse range of for overcoming it. These levers were subsequently in Provençal vegetable production systems. PhD dissertation, stakeholders (farmers, marketing firms, R&D investigated. This work was achieved within the University of Avignon, France, 336 p. and institutional stakeholders, etc.). The barriers framework of Yann Boulestreau’s PhD thesis • Boulestreau Y., Casagrande M., Navarrete M., 2019. Co- lock stakeholders into drastic soil disinfection. research (2017-2021, ADEME and INRAE-ACT designing crop diversification strategies from plot to sociotechnical However, this lock-in is being challenged by funding). system to manage root-knot nematodes in Mediterranean societal pressure and the increased agroecology- market gardening systems. 1. European Conference on Crop Diversification 2019, Sep 2019, Budapest, Hungary. 369 p. oriented structuring adopted by a part of the https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02735611 stakeholders. We also identified levers facilitating https://zenodo.org/record/3784275#.YP6gI0A6-w4 the transition to agroecological management of soil p Spatial organization of the SoilH&co game in a room and representation of the different scales that impact agricultural practices. Colored rectangles represent the tables, with the type of actors associated with each table specified. 33 p SoilH&co workshop in 2019. © C. Meunier © Y. Boulestreau Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Nitrogen fertilization reduces the rice blast tolerance benefits of earthworms and silicon Insight into soil-vegetation relationships is rice plants were inoculated with equal amounts (nitrogen-induced susceptibility phenomenon). essential to pilot ecological processes and of Pyricularia oryzae fungal spores to trigger the A carbon/nitrogen ratio of 15 in aboveground better manage plant diseases. Earthworms disease. Plant biomass, rice plant nutrition and plant parts is considered a threshold below are involved in these relationships and silicon disease severity were measured after 8 weeks which any increase in nitrogen per carbon unit is a vital component in plant disease control. of growth. will increase blast severity. Soil organisms and Understanding how earthworm-silicon functioning therefore have a key role in interactions control aboveground plant disease It was found that a combined treatment with boosting plant resistance to aerial diseases. is a major research challenge. We assessed the earthworm inoculation and silicon input With the aim of contributing to ecological potential of earthworms and/or silicon to control enhanced rainfed rice tolerance to P. oryzae intensification and enhancing the provision of rice blast severity in Madagascar in the presence compared to single earthworm or silicon ecosystem services such as disease regulation, or absence of NPK mineral fertilization. We used treatments, while providing the best ratio our results indicate that excessive use of soil-dwelling earthworms (Pontoscolex corethrurus), between plant biomass (and nutrition) gain and mineral fertilizer should be reduced in with or without silicon and with or without disease severity reduction. NPK nutrient input, favor of sustainable agricultural practices NPK fertilization. After a few weeks of growth, however, induced a severe form of the disease that promote earthworm populations. Contact Éric Blanchart (IRD, Eco&Sols, France), eric.blanchart@ird.fr For further information Blanchart E., Ratsiatosika O., Raveloson H., Razafimbelo T., Razafindrakoto M., Sester M., Becquer T., Bernard L., Trap J., 2020. Nitrogen supply reduces the earthworm-silicon control on rice blast disease in a Ferralsol. Applied Soil Ecology, 145: 103341. p Relationship between the plant tissue carbon/nitrogen ratio and blast disease severity. NPK fertilizer application (triangles) led to a drop in the C/N ratio below the threshold of 15, reflecting high disease severity. The presence of silicon (yellow triangles) tended to decrease the disease severity under fertilized conditions. In the absence of NPK (circles), earthworms (red and green circles) improved plant growth and nitrogen nutrition, while not increasing the disease severity. Earthworms and silicon offered an p Pontoscolex corethrurus, a tropical soil-dwelling optimal balance between increased biomass and disease severity. earthworm that provides many functions useful for plant growth. © E. Blanchart/IRD Rhizosphere microbiomes A new avenue for enhancing crop health, productivity, biofortification and soil fertility P lants harbor a diverse-range of microorganisms in and around the roots, i.e. so-called rhizosphere microbiomes, which contribute to overall plant health and functions. These plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes inhabit the rhizosphere to meet their nutritional requirements. In turn, these microbes provide multiple benefits, including enhanced plant growth, defense against diseases and survival under stress, along with many other unknown benefits. By reaction, they help by: (i) boosting plant growth through soil nutrient enrichment by nitrogen fixation, etc.; and (ii) increasing plant protection by influencing cellulase, protease, lipase and β-1,3 glucanase production, while enhancing plant defense against pests and pathogens through diverse mechanisms. …cont’d ☞ 34 u Rhizosphere Microbiomes: an agroecological practice for sustainable agriculture. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems In addition, PGP microbes have useful traits against various biotic (including insect pests Contact for tolerating abiotic stresses like extreme and diseases) stresses on our mandate crops, Subramaniam Gopalakrishnan (ICRISAT, CGIAR, India), temperatures, pH, salinity and drought, as well including chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut and s.gopalakrishnan@cgiar.org as heavy metal and pesticide pollution. The sorghum, which are staples in the semiarid tropics. application of PGP microbes in the field is ICRISAT has demonstrated the usefulness Other authors expected to enhance crop growth and yield of 16 PGP Streptomyces strains for their Vadlamudi Srinivas, Sambangi Pratyusha and Sravani Ankati even when the plants are under a combination growth promotion and yield enhancement (ICRISAT, CGIAR, India) of stresses. It is therefore essential to generate traits under rice, sorghum, chickpea and comprehensive knowledge on potential strategies pigeonpea crop field conditions. Further, For further information for screening, characterizing and formulating three secondary metabolites have been • https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=tINLkp beneficial PGP microbes, while gaining insight purified from these strains, including AAAAAJ&view_op=list_works into the molecular mechanisms underlying their two against pod borers and one against • Gopalakrishnan S., Srinivas V., Vemula A., Samineni, action and evaluation at field levels. Identifying charcoal rot disease in sorghum. Whole Rathore A., 2018. Influence of diazotrophic bacteria on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, growth promotion and yield such potential rhizobial and other PGP microbes genome sequences of these strains have traits in five cultivars of chickpea. Biocatal. Agric. Biotechnol., and developing a robust technology could be also documented and published. 15: 35-42. useful for integrated pest management (IPM) • Gopalakrishnan S., Srinivas V., Naresh N., Pratyusha S., and integrated nutrition management (INM) Ankati S., Madhuprakash J., Sharma R., 2021. Deciphering programs, while also reducing the need for the antagonistic effect of Streptomyces spp. and host-plant external inputs such as synthetic fertilizers resistance induction against charcoal rot of sorghum. and pesticides. ICRISAT research is focused on Planta, 253: 57. the effects of such PGP bacteria on nitrogen • Gopalakrishnan S., Thakur V., Saxena R.K., Vadlamudi S., fixation, P-solubilization, growth promotion and Purohit S., Kumar V., Rathore A., Chitikineni A., Varshney R.K., 2020. Complete genome sequence of sixteen plant growth-promoting Streptomyces strains. Scientific Reports, 10: 10294. Plant extracts as an alternative to insecticide treatments in sub-Saharan Africa In sub-Saharan African countries, as in most Plant extract uses under experimental conditions * Knowledge management on pesticidal plants in Africa: https://ur-aida.cirad.fr/nos-recherches/projets-et-expertises/knomanacountries worldwide, ethnopharmacology or in common practice have been inventoried in ** Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte relates to the use of plants in traditional the Knomana knowledge base*. This knowledge d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, medicine. Some plants are also used in the form base was built from publications compiled by Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo. of aqueous extracts or essential oils for the members of an informal network of researchers Contacts protection of crops against pests and diseases from 13 French-speaking African countries**. Pierre Silvie (PHIM, IRD, France), pierre.silvie@cirad.fr both in the field and granaries. This provides Following an extension of the research to a partial alternative to synthetic insecticide encompass other geographical areas, as well Pierre Martin (AIDA, CIRAD, France), pierre.martin@cirad.fr treatments, or even a total alternative in organic as animal and human health fields, Knomana farming conditions. Ready-made formulations now includes 44,300 usage descriptions For further information are seldom available and are mainly based on (January 2021). This includes a broad range • Silvie P., Martin P., Huchard M., Keip P., Gutierrez A., natural pyrethrum extracts from Tanacetum of information, such as scientific names of Sarter S., 2021. Prototyping a knowledge-based system to cinerariifolium (Asteraceae) or neem (Azadirachta plants and active ingredients of extracts identify botanical extracts for plant health in sub-Saharan indica, Meliaceae). The challenge is to identify new used, scientific names of target organisms Africa. Plants, 10(5): 896. plant species based on plant diversity studies and protected crops. Overall, 2,543 plant https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050896 and traditional/academic knowledge, and then species are listed as having been tested • Silvie P. et al., 2021. Le management des connaissances to disseminate this knowledge to end users, against 720 target pest species. The focus is liées aux usages des plantes : une initiative combinant i.e. farmers, NGOs, consultants and researchers. currently on plant usage toxicity risks to humans savoirs traditionnels et publications scientifiques pour l’approche One-Health. In Profizi et al. (éd.) : Biodiversité and other non-target organisms. Assessment of des écosystèmes intertropicaux. Connaissance, gestion durable these risks—which may generate further insight et valorisation, Marseille, IRD Éditions, coll. Synthèse. to supplement Knomana—is a crucial goal with q Preparation of an aqueous plant-based extract in • Silvie P., Martin P., 2017. Les plantes pesticides au secours Senegal. © M. Dione regard to the EcoHealth approach. des cultures. The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/ les-plantes-pesticides-au-secours-des-cultures-86898 u Plant extracts used in cotton crop fields in Paraguay. © P. Silvie 35 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Reducing dependency on external costly inputs Agroecological practices and soil carbon stocks An example in the Senegalese peanut basin The 4 per 1000 Soils for Food Security and fattening practices—and their management in Climate Initiative—launched at the 2015 the landscape—focused especially on applications Paris Climate Change Conference— in fields located in the vicinity of dwellings encourages stakeholders worldwide to commit (i.e. home-fields)—is conducive to increased Contacts to agriculture based on practices that foster soil C stocks(3). Mineralization rates are, however, Lydie Lardy (Eco&Sols, IESOL, IRD, France), carbon storage(1) while also being compatible extremely rapid, which affect soil organic carbon lydie.lardy@ird.fr with agroecology precepts. In subarid West Africa, forms considered stable (Rock-Eval® approach), Oscar Pascal Malou (Eco&Sols, IRD, France/Université agroecological practices are primarily geared or even refractory in other soil-climate Cheikh Anta Diop, UCAD, Senegal), opmalou@gmail.com towards increasing agricultural productivity, conditions(4). Local organic amendment Abou Thiam (Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement, while relying heavily on efficient management of practices can hence contribute to soil UCAD, Senegal), abou.thiam@ucad.edu.sn organic inputs derived from various integrated fertility restoration in the short term, crop and livestock farming systems. Yet the but they are ineffective in achieving long- For further information essentially coarse-textured soils in the region term C storage necessary for climate (1) Chevallier et al., 2020. Carbone des sols en Afrique. have a limited organic carbon storage capacity. change mitigation. Agroecological transition Impacts des usages des sols et pratiques agricoles. Studies conducted by the IESOL* research group, innovations must focus on options that will FAO/IRD, Rome/Marseille, 268 p. supported by the SoCa(2) and DSCATT(2) projects, enable optimal management of all fields, while www.fao.org/3/cb0403fr/CB0403FR.pdf assessed carbon stocks in 1,813 crop plots seeking ways to enhance organic resource (2) SoCa Project: Soil Carbon for Tropical Subsistence located in the peanut basin of Senegal. The availability. Farming (funding: Climate Initiative, BNP Paribas -1 Foundation): https://group.bnpparibas/actualite/soca-stocks were found to not exceed 30 Mg C ha (average 14.6 Mg C ha-1) in the 0-30 cm soil * An international joint laboratory on ecological intensification of carbone-sols-service-agriculture-familiale-tropicale cultivated soils in West Africa: DSCATT Project: Dynamics of Soil Carbon Sequestration layer. The nature of organic inputs—particularly https://sites.google.com/site/iesolafrica/home in Tropical and Temperate Agricultural Systems (funding: those associated with the development of cattle Fondation Agropolis and Fondation Total): https://dscatt.net (3) Malou O.P., Moulin P., Chevallier T., Masse D., Vayssières J., Badiane Ndour N.Y., Tall L., Delaunay V., Thiam A., Chapuis-Lardy L., 2021. Estimates of C stocks in sandy soils cultivated under local management practices in the Senegal’s groundnut basin. Submitted to Regional Environmental Change, 21: 65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01790-2 (4) Malou O.P., Sebag D., Moulin P., Chevallier T., Badiane Ndour N.Y., Thiam A., Chapuis-Lardy L., 2020. The Rock- Eval® signature of soil organic carbon in arenosols of the Senegalese groundnut basin. How do agricultural practices matter? Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 301: 107030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107030 t Mixture of millet straw and crop residues, uneaten livestock feed and manure. Used as compost in vegetable crop fields or (as here) in a watermelon field, Senegal. © T. Chevallier/IRD Increasing the soil organic carbon content The need for systemic and multidisciplinary approaches Increasing the soil organic matter content is a major challenge for the sustainable intensification of agricultural production. Many interacting biophysical, social and economic factors must be taken into account at different scales—from the soil aggregate to the territory, including the farm and crop field—when assessing the condition of a soil and its organic matter content. The time-course dynamics of production systems in Senegal—in areas where Serer communities reside—were analyzed to determine the ecological and social components underlying the viability and sustainability these systems. Research conducted as part of the multidisciplinary CERAO* project (2014-2018) highlighted the importance of crop-livestock farming integration and the trend towards more sedentary livestock farming. …cont’d ☞ 36 u Cattle fattening in a concession in Niakhar region, Senegal. © B. Defives Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Similarly, the ring-shaped spatial DSCATT** flagship project is being implemented organization of village lands and the in this setting with the aim of developing and presence of trees in the form of wooded testing methods and tools to co-build soil carbon parkland have been maintained despite sequestration strategies with stakeholders. en Afrique, IRD Éditions/L’Harmattan Sénégal, Marseille/ Dakar: 311-332. the major constraints these production systems have faced over the last century *CERAO project (2014-2018), Auto-adaptation of tropical agro- • Grillot M., Vayssières J., Masse D., 2018. Agent-based socio-ecosystems to global climate change? ANR Agrobiosphère: modelling as a time machine to assess nutrient cycling (decreased rainfall, population growth, changing www.umr-ecosols.fr/en/recherche/projects/17-projets/44-cerao reorganization during past agrarian transitions in West socioeconomic conditions). Finally, human **DSCATT project (2019-2023), Agricultural Intensification and Africa. Agricultural Systems, 164: 133-151. Dynamics of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Tropical and Temperate societies have gradually adapted to help Farming Systems: www.dscatt.net • Tounkara A., Clermont-Dauphin C., Affholder F., Ndiaye S., sustain agricultural activity (migration, off- Contact Masse D., Cournac L., 2020. Inorganic fertilizer use farm work and income, family and social ties, efficiency of millet crop increased with organic fertilizer Dominique Masse (Eco&Sols, IRD, Côte d’Ivoire), etc.). These systems-based multidisciplinary application in rainfed agriculture on smallholdings in dominique.masse@ird.fr analyses are essential to come up with effective central Senegal. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 294. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2020.106878 ways to boost the carbon content of cultivated For further information • Bisson A., Boudsocq S., Casenave C., Barot S., Manlay R.J., soils. This knowledge, combined with local know- • Masse D., Lalou R., Tine C., Ba M., Vayssières J. 2018. Vayssières J., Masse D., Daufresne T., 2019. West African how, will pave the way for efficient, sustainable Les trajectoires agricoles dans le Bassin Arachidier au mixed farming systems as meta-ecosystems: an ecological and transferable agricultural practices or Sénégal : éléments de réflexion à partir de l’observatoire source-sink modelling approach of the nitrogen cycle and social arrangements. The Fondation Agropolis de Niakhar. In Delaunay V., et al.. (éd.) : Niakhar, mémoires et crop production. Ecological Modelling, 412:108803. doi. perspectives. Recherches pluridisciplinaires sur le changement org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108803 Why should the priming effect be considered in agroecology? Organic matter (OM) mineralization by old stabilized OM). Although problematic from soil microbial communities is a major a carbon balance standpoint, a process geared nutrient source for plants and leads towards a stabilized OM pool could enhance to a 7-fold higher global release of CO2 into fertility via nutrient (N and P) remobilization. Contacts the atmosphere compared to anthropogenic Plants naturally initiate this type of process in Laetitia Bernard (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), emissions. It is hence essential to gain insight their rhizosphere depending on their needs. In laetitia.bernard@ird.fr into the mechanisms involved to ensure the summary, PE can be beneficial in agroecology Pierre-Alain Maron (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), success of the agroecological transition and for by controlling processes via agricultural pierre-alain.maron@inra.fr climate change mitigation via soil carbon (C) practices, depending on the target issue sequestration. The priming effect (PE) is a key —C storage and/or crop nutrition. Organic For further information mechanism contributing to the ecosystem carbon input quality management is also a highly • Razanamalala K., Fanomenzana R.A., Razafimbelo T., balance. PE has long been viewed as a net soil promising thrust. Trap J., Blanchart E., Bernard L., 2018. The priming effect C loss since it stimulates soil OM mineralization generated by stoichiometric decomposition and nutrient following fresh OM input. Yet it can serve as an mining in cultivated tropical soils: actors and drivers. Applied Soil Ecology, 126: 21-33. efficient nutrient supply for plants if the system • Razanamalala K., Razafimbelo T., Maron P.A., Ranjard L., is in equilibrium (i.e. mineralization = C storage). Chemidlin-Prévost-Boure N., Lelièvre M., Dequiedt S., PE is hard to measure in situ and is the outcome Ramaroson V., Marsden C., Becquer T., Trap J., Blanchart E., of several processes, each driven by its own Bernard L., 2018. Soil microbial diversity drives the priming microbial constituents and targeting a different effect along climate gradients: a case study in Madagascar. OM pool. The balance between C gain and loss The ISME Journal, 12: 451-462. depends on: (i) the efficiency of microorganisms in t Rainfed rice under maize crop residue at facilitating biomass C uptake; and (ii) the age of the Andranomanelatra, Madagascar. destabilized OM pool (recent dynamic rather than © L. Bernard/Eco&Sols Effective recycling in oil palm plantations Reducing economic and environmental costs Palm oil is currently the top-ranking vegetable oil consumed worldwide and production shall continue to increase. Agroecological practices should therefore be implemented to an increased extent in plantations. Oil palm plantations require fertilizer applications, which account for 46–85% of field costs while substantially contributing to environmental impacts such as acidification and climate change(1). Agroecological practices help reduce external inputs via the recycling of highly diversified and plentiful coproducts(2). Oil palm plantations can generate a total of ~16 t/ha.yr-1 of coproducts, besides the palm and kernel oils produced (~5 t/ha.yr-1). This biomass consists of fronds, stipes, empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm oil mill effluents, shells and fibers. …cont’d ☞ t Field application of compost from palm 37 oil residues, Indonesia. © C. Bessou/CIRAD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use During the immature stage, the temporary legume from the co-product recycling potential implies Contact cover brings benefits by recycling nutrients from accounting for the benefits and risks jointly at the Cécile Bessou (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), decomposing stipes from the previous harvest, palm agroecosystem and supply chain levels. Life cecile.bessou@cirad.fr while also preventing weed development. Then cycle assessment (LCA) facilitates such a holistic throughout the crop cycle, field application analysis by considering potential substitutions For further information of EFB as an organic amendment proved and avoided impacts, as well as trade-off risks(1,4). (1) Bessou C., Pardon L., 2017. Environmental impacts of to have substantial advantages. Application LCA results have highlighted that residue palm oil products: what can we learn from LCA? Indones. of this coproduct can improve the soil nutrient compost could replace 10–25% of synthetic J. Life Cycle Assess. Sustain. 1: 1-7. content but it also further enhances the soil fertilizers while markedly reducing the (2) Bessou C., Verwilghen A., Beaudoin-Ollivier L., physicochemical properties and biota through climate change impact(3). However, despite Marichal R., Ollivier J., et al., 2017. Agroecological practices in oil palm plantations: examples from the field. OCL, 24(3). various mechanisms, thereby protecting the soil the great quantities of coproducts generated, doi: 10.1051/ocl/2017024 and its functioning capacity(2). Moreover, EFB demand within the palm value chain or outside (3) Baron V., Saoud M., Jupesta J., Praptantyo I.R., may be co-composted, notably with palm oil may exceed supply, so competition and fertility Admojo H.T., Bessou C., Caliman J.P., 2019. Critical mill effluent, thus increasing the nutrient value transfer issues would need to be investigated to parameters in the life cycle inventory of palm oil mill and stability of the amendment while reducing highlight sustainable practices at the landscape residues composting. IJoLCAS, 3(1): 19. transport costs as well as environmental impacts level. (4) Wiloso E.I., Bessou C., Heijungs R., 2015. from effluent treatment(3). Harnessing the most Methodological issues in comparative life cycle assessment: treatment options for empty fruit bunches in a palm oil system. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess., 20: 204-216. Mechanized composting to convert crop residues into organic fertilizer In-field burning of crop residues is currently content, pH, bioactiveness, anaerobic and aerobic 1 ha of rice production requires about 6-10 t of a serious issue, causing GHG emissions and conditions. Rice straw composting using this compost produced from the same amount of air pollution in many Asian countries such technology takes about 45 days, i.e. about half rice straw mixed with 20-40% of animal manure as India or Vietnam(1). This adverse traditional the time required for traditional practices such as to achieve an optimized C/N ratio of 25/1. GHG practice could be reduced by converting crop manual composting and bulldozer mixing. emissions from rice straw composting are about residues mixed with animal manure into organic 200-300 kg CO /t of straw(4)2 . In addition to the fertilizer to enhance soil fertility and crop yield(2). For sustainable rice production, added value from rice straw, mechanized rice Mechanized rice straw composting developed particularly for the ‘three cropping straw composting resulted in a significant GHG under an IRRI-led project(1) is an innovation that seasons per year’ approach, we suggest two emission reduction compared to raw rice straw combines physical and biochemical processes to options to avoid rice straw burning and incorporation. Furthermore, avoiding rice straw optimize the rice straw decomposition efficiency elevated methane emissions: (i) producing burning is also a criterion to qualify under the and organic fertilizer quality (Figure). This organic fertilizer from rice straw, including global Sustainable Rice Platform Standard that technology optimizes the composting process mechanized collection(3) and composting(1); enable the rice product meeting the premium and efficiently addresses affected parameters and (ii) composting and recycling rice markets and driving its price increased. such as the C/N ratio, temperature, moisture straw for organic rice production. Indeed, Contact Hung Van Nguyen (IRRI, CGIAR, Vietnam), hung.nguyen@irri.org Other authors Bjoern Ole Sander and Martin Gummert (IRRI, CGIAR, Vietnam) Nguyen Van Hieu (Tien Giang University, Vietnam) Nguyen Thanh Nghi (Nong Lam University, Vietnam) For further information (1) Gummert M. et al., 2019. Sustainable rice straw management, Springer Nature. https://link.springer.com/content/ pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-030-32373-8.pdf (2) Goyal S, et al., 2009. Effect of rice straw compost on soil microbiological properties and yield of rice. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. https://arccjournals.com/journal/ indian-journal-of-agricultural-research/ ARCC1540. (3) Nguyen-Van-Hung et al., 2016. Energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost of rice straw collection in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam. Field crops research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2016.08.024 (4) Zhong, J. et al., 2013. Greenhouse gas emission from the total process of swine manure composting and land p Rice straw composting process. application of compost. Atmos. Environ. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.08.048 38 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Regreening drylands with more food and incomes for smallholder farmers Achieving nutritional, food and income security in Sahelian regions remains one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Poor soil fertility, land degradation, climate variability and large populations dependent on agriculture are often cited as major constraints. Decades of applied research and development by ICRISAT and partners in the Sahel have given rise to new farming systems, agronomic practices, crop varieties and innovative market access, etc. For example, smallholder farmers in Niger’s dry agroecological conditions can significantly increase agricultural productivity and incomes via agroforestry(1). A long-term experiment conducted at ICRISAT’s Sadore research station with Ziziphus mauritiana (so-called pomme du Sahel) trees revealed productivity increases in pearl millet Contacts Vincent Bado (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Niger), v.bado@cgiar.org Anthony Whitbread (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Tanzania), a.whitbread@cgiar.org Dougbedji. Fatondji (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Mali), p Women farmers displaying vegetables produced in set up on bioreclamation of degraded land (BDL) systems, d.fatondji@cgiar.org Niger. © D. Fatondji/ICRISAT Other author monocropping and intercropping systems under indigenous vegetables (okra, hibiscus and Senna Ramadjita Tabo (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Mali) low input conditions, and a two- to threefold rise obtusifolia). This is considered a gender-sensitive in income potential(2). This system was also found system that aims to restore land at minimal For further information to improve rainwater use efficiency, soil fertility cost to communities and the environment, and (1) Bado B.V., Whitbread A. Manzo M.L.S., 2020. Improving and increase millet yields, while maintaining soil to empower local women by securing their agricultural productivity using agroforestry systems: organic carbon levels. land rights. The examples described here pool performance of millet, cowpea, and ziziphus-based cropping innovations in crop improvement, agronomy, systems in West Africa Sahel. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Another example of regreening concerns the water harvesting(3) and nutrient management Environment, 305: 107175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107175 bioreclamation of degraded land (BDL) through microdosing (4) in best practice packages approach, whereby women participate which are participatively developed with (2) Bado V., 2020. Ziziphus agroforestry: a yield and income ladder for millet farmers in Niger. ICRISAT Happenings in restoring degraded lands through a stakeholders and then mainstreamed into farming Newsletter. www.icrisat.org/ziziphus-agroforestry-a-yield-and- combination of new and indigenous systems. These approaches have immediate income-ladder-for-millet-farmers-in-niger techniques. These include water harvesting effects at the household level, including higher (3) Zemadim Birhanu B., Whitbread A., Fry C., 2020. How technologies, e.g. digging half-moon planting incomes, greater food security and improved contour bunding and other technologies can reduce soil erosion pits and trenches, application of composted nutrition (Figures A and B). National and regional and raise productivity in African watersheds. plant and animal waste, and planting of hardy strategies for scaling such multipurpose farming https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2020/08/28/how-contour-bunding- and high-value fruit trees (Moringa oleifera, systems require policymaker and donor support. and-other-technologies-can-reduce-soil-erosion-and- raise?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_cam Ziziphus mauritiana), as well as drought-resilient paign=Feed%3A+WLEThrive+%28Thrive+Blog%29 (4) Tabo R., Bationo A., Amadou B., Hassane O., Diallo M.K., Ndjeunga J. et al., 2011. Fertilizer microdosing and “Warrantage” or inventory credit system to improve food security and farmers’ income in West Africa. In: Innovations as q Figure A. Revenues q Figure B. Effect of Ziziphus trees on household incomes with millet key to the Green Revolution in Africa. Exploring the scientific facts. earned per woman in three monocropping and millet-cowpea intercropping compared to these two Springer, Netherlands: 113-121. villages in Niger with BDL cropping systems without Ziziphus. Source: Bado et al. (2020) technology. Source: Bado et al. (2020) A B 39 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Opportunities and constraints for using farmer-managed natural regeneration for land restoration in sub-Saharan Africa Farmer-managed natural regeneration composition of regenerating vegetation, and plants with conservative strategies. There is little (FMNR) comprises a set of agroecological the resulting environmental and socioeconomic evidence, however, linking agroecosystem function practices used by farmers to encourage benefits (Figure)(2) revealed that quantitative to livelihood benefits, which makes it difficult tree growth on agricultural land. It has been evidence of FMNR outcomes is sparse to determine where and for whom FMNR associated with increasing agricultural and mainly related to experience in the Maradi is an appropriate restoration technique, and productivity through soil fertility improvement and Zinder regions of Niger. Recent advances where it might be necessary to combine it with (including increased soil carbon)(1), producing in the mechanistic understanding about how enrichment planting. Given the need for viable feed for livestock, boosting incomes, along context conditions the diversity and abundance restoration practices for agricultural land across with other environmental benefits. It is widely of regenerating trees, and hence ecosystem Africa, there is a need to combine functional promoted in Africa as a cost-effective degraded function, suggests that: intensity of land use ecology and socioeconomic assessments, land restoration strategy that overcomes the (grazing and agricultural practices) and embedded as co-learning components in scaling challenge of low survival rates associated dispersal limitation inhibit regeneration, up initiatives. This would fill key knowledge gaps, with tree planting in arid and semiarid areas. while land degradation does not(3). The in turn enabling the development of context- A review of scientific evidence related to the functional composition of regenerating sensitive advice on where and how to promote contexts in which FMNR is practiced across communities shifts, with increasing intensity of FMNR, as well as calculation of the return on sub-Saharan Africa, how this influences the land use, towards shorter statured, small-seeded investment of doing so. Evidence about farmer managed natural regeneration Contacts Susan Chomba (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), s.chomba@cgiar.org Context Consequences Madelon Lohbeck (Wageningen University, Netherlands), madelon.lohbeck@wur.nl Social and economic Composition Livelihoods benefits Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/ Bangor University, Farming Livelihood Governance/ Subsistence and income UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org practicies system/farmer community generating products: food, knowledge issues fodder, fuelwood, fibre, timber oils and resins. For further information Tree diversity, abundance and functionality (1) Bayala J., Sanou J., Bazié H.R., Coe R., Kalinganire A., Ecological Sinclair F.L., 2020. Regenerated trees in farmers’ fields Environmental benefits increase soil carbon across the Sahel. Agroforestry Systems, Grazing, Fire Emergent property Tree cover of what farmers Carbon sequestration, shade, 94: 401-415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00403-6 do and the environment shelter, soil health (organic C,Biota (2) Chomba S., Sinclair F., Savadogo P., Bourne M., as heavely conditioned by structure, and microbial abundance Field Matrix governance and diversity), soil erosion control, Lohbeck M., 2020. Opportunities and constraints for using rootstock / seed flood protection; biodiversity farmer managed natural regeneration for land restoration Soils Climate conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 3: 571679. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2020.571679 Nested-scale social-ecological systems from field to landscape scale that condition if, when and Outcomes derived from (3) Lohbeck M., Albers P., Boels L.E., Bongers F., Morel S., how FMNR happens regenerated trees in fields Sinclair F., Takoutsing B., Vågen T.-G., Winowiecki L.A., Smith-Dumont E., 2020. Drivers of farmer-managed natural p Analytical framework used to assess scientific evidence relevant to scaling up the use of farmer-managed regeneration in the Sahel. Lessons for restoration. Nature natural regeneration (FMNR) of trees on agricultural land. Source: Chomba et al. (2020) Scientific Reports, 10: 15038. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70746-z Comparative analysis of monocrops versus agroforestry contributions to the household economy of upland farmers in Northwest Vietnam A groforestry is a potential means for improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods and reducing land degradation. The impact of agroforestry on farmers’ household income overall needs to be assessed with the aim of boosting the adoption of agroforestry in Northwest Vietnam. Different agroforestry options, including fruit trees, annual crops and forage grass, have been assessed at the field level. The break-even point was achieved in the 2nd to 3rd year depending on the agroforestry options. The 5-year return on investment (ROI) of the Longan+maize+forage grass, Acacia+mango+maize+forage grass, Acacia+longan+coffee+soybean+forage grass, Teak+plum+coffee+soybean+forage grass options were 7%, 25%, 39% and 59%. Meanwhile, the mono-maize option provided annual income and a 5-year ROI of 38%. Compared to annual crops, agroforestry alone required a higher investment cost and was slow in generating attractive income. However, the contribution of agroforestry to the total household income p Comparison of profits from maize monocultures and different agroforestry options over a 5-year 40 should be considered. …cont’d ☞ period. M: maize monoculture, AF1: Longan+maize+forage grass, AF2: Acacia+mango+maize+forage grass, AF3: Acacia+longan+coffee+soybean+forage grass, AF4: Teak+plum+coffee+soybean+forage grass. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems A survey of 30 households whose members had farmers adapt agroforestry to meet their own Contact been practicing agroforestry since 2015 was specific conditions. This could in turn facilitate Nguyen La (ICRAF, CGIAR, Vietnam), l.nguyen@cgiar.org conducted. The findings revealed that within adoption of certain agroforestry practices. In the first 2-3 years, fodder and maize from conclusion, agroforestry was found to contribute Other authors agroforestry practices provided a major share significantly to the household economy. The Thach Van Nguyen, Hung Van Do and Hoa Do La (ICRAF, of feedstock for livestock farming—a key local promotion of agroforestry should be in line CGIAR, Vietnam) livelihood activity. From the 3rd year, the with farmers’ needs, while also supporting agroforestry contribution accounted for other rural household economic activities. For further information around 5-10% of the total income. This • Do V.H., La N., Mulia R., Bergkvist G., Dahlin A.S., share increased up to around 50% by the Nguyen V.T., Pham H.T., Öborn I., 2020. Fruit tree- 6th year. In return, livestock manure was applied based agroforestry systems for smallholder farmers in Northwest Vietnam. A quantitative and qualitative as a crop nutrient source in fields. Incomes from assessment. Land, 9(11): 451. other crop areas, livestock and off-farm activities https://doi.org/10.3390/land9110451 were also invested in agroforestry. Further • Do H., Luedeling E., Whitney C., 2020. Decision analysis assessment of the overall role of agroforestry of agroforestry options reveals adoption risks for could shed light on the mechanisms by which resource-poor farmers. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 40: 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-020-00624-5 Assessment of commercial bioinoculants used for sustainable agriculture Importance of their microbial quality and consequences for end users The inoculation of crops with beneficial led to dramatically reduced effectiveness and of the tested products did not contain microorganisms is an applied soil consequently to lower adoption by farmers. any of the claimed strains but only microbiology ‘success story’. It provides There is hence growing demand for a quality contaminants(1). Similarly, bioinoculants a sustainable and effective source of nutrients to control system for available commercial containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi plants while suppressing the soilborne pathogen inoculants. (AMF) were generally of poor quality and population, thus decreasing the dependence on efficacy, with only three products resulting in chemical fertilizers, pesticides and supplements. We assessed the microbial quality of diverse a significant increase in root colonization and The increasing demand for sustainable bioinoculants (bacterial and endomycorrhizal) shoot biomass. Contaminants were found in environment-friendly alternatives has resulted available on the global market to verify whether the majority of AMF products, while spores in the proliferation of commercial bioinoculants they fulfilled the manufacturers’ claims and to of several claimed species were not detected worldwide, all claiming to substantially enhance gain insight into the quality of products readily in the products(2). These results highlight the crop productivity. However, many of these available to farmers. Our results showed that importance of an effective, regulatory products are sold without robust scientific data the majority (>60%) of bacterial bioinoculants quality control program to ensure that supporting their efficacy and quality. So far little contained one or several contaminant bacterial efficacious bioinoculants will reach the attention has been paid to the quality of these strains, and only 37% of the products could end users. inoculants during their production, which has be considered ‘pure’. Approximately 40% p Purification of different bacterial strains found in Contacts For further information commercial bioinoculants. © L. Herrmann Laetitia Herrmann (Alliance of Bioversity International (1) Herrmann L., Atieno M., Braü L., Lesueur D., 2015. and CIAT, Asia Hub, Common Microbial Biotechnology Microbial quality of commercial inoculants to increase Platform, CMBP, Vietnam), l.herrmann@cgiar.org BNF and nutrient use efficiency (chapter 101). In de Didier Lesueur (Eco&Sols, CIRAD, France/Alliance of Bruijn F.J. (ed): Biological nitrogen fixation, volume 2. John Bioversity International and CIAT, Asia Hub, CMBP, Wiley & Sons: 1031-1040. Vietnam), d.lesueur@cgiar.org (2) Faye A., Dalpe Y., Ndung’u Magiroi K., Jefwa J., Ndoye I., Diouf M., Lesueur D. 2013. Evaluation of commercial Other authors arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants. Canadian Journal of Plant 41 Sciences, 9: 1201-1208. Mary Atieno (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Asia Hub, CMBP, Vietnam) • CMBP, The Common Microbial Biotechnology Platform: www.cmbp-network.org Lambert Bräu (Deakin University, Australia) Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Diversified cropping systems enhance income, nutrition, and water- use efficiency for North African and South Asian smallholder farmers Increasing rainfall variability and declining land provides an opportunity for supplementary areas in central India, rainy season excess and water resources are having a high impact irrigation and system intensification. It also water harvesting provided farmers with an on crop productivity in rainfed drylands, reduces the risk of crop failure and helps opportunity to grow an additional crop leading to acute food scarcity among rural extend the growing season via the addition during winter through supplementary communities in the Middle East and North of supplementary crops, e.g. a spring crop in drip irrigation using harvested rainwater. Africa (MENA) and South Asia regions. As the Mediterranean climatic conditions(1) and a winter Diversifying crop rotations with legumes is also main source of irrigation in MENA, groundwater crop in semiarid areas in India(2). agroecology-friendly by curbing pest and overextraction—mainly for agriculture—is likely disease infestations and reducing chemical to increase over time, thereby calling for more Diversifying a wheat-based cropping system fertilizer use. These findings could be applicable efficient use of water to sustain food production. through relay seeding of a low water requirement in similar environments in sub-Saharan Africa, To this end, ICARDA has explored options for high-value spring crop with early maturing lentil, South Asia and MENA to enhance system diversifying cropping systems through better combined with supplementary drip irrigation, productivity, farm profitability and overall food crop choices and more efficient water use with increased the system productivity and farm and nutrition security, while reducing production the aim of improving crop productivity and farm income (+ $410-10,295 ha-1), while doubling risks associated with variable rainfall, declining profitability for smallholder farmers with limited the water use-efficiency compared to a groundwater and changing/variable climatic land and water resources in these regions. Better cereal monocrop in a Mediterranean rainfed conditions. crop choices together with rainwater harvesting environment in Morocco(1). Similarly, in semiarid Diversified cropping systems enhance income, nutrition, and water-use efficiency for North African and South Asian smallholder farmers p Diversifying cropping systems via relay seeding of spring crops in winter seeded lentil with supplementary drip irrigation: a case study in a Mediterranean rainfed environment in Morocco. Contacts For further information Mina Devkota (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), (1) Devkota M., Nangia V., Wery J., 2020. Opportunity to m.devkota@cgiar.org diversify cropping system through relay-cropping and better Vinay Nangia (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), use of rainwater to enhance farmer income and water use v.nangia@cgiar.org efficiency in rainfed Mediterranean agriculture. Abstract submitted to the 7th International Symposium for farming systems design on designing climate smart agricultural systems for a sustainable transition in the agri-food systems of the dry areas, March 20-23, 2022. (2) Nangia V., Sinha R., Kuri B.R., 2020. Adaptive on-farm management of water resources for sustainable rainfed food production in central India. Abstract submitted to the 7th International Symposium for farming systems design on designing climate smart agricultural systems for a 42 sustainable transition in the agri-food systems of the dry areas, March 20-23, 2022. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting environmentally disruptive inputs Agroecological control of fall armyworm Fall armyworm (FAW) is a major pest into existing systems to improve smallholder in Malawi and Zambia, we are examining the of cereals, particularly maize and rice. incomes and resilience through sustainable roles of landscape-scale tree cover, farm-level Native to North and South America, intensification(2). Agroecological approaches habitat diversity and plot-scale management, it was first detected in West Africa in 2016 to pest management are based on including conservation agriculture and legume and has subsequently spread throughout the three complementary strategies: intercropping. Furthermore, we have developed continent and across Asia. It has been predicted (i) improving plant health and resistance protocols and data management tools that that FAW could cause up to $US13 billion per to attack through improved soil fertility will enable this experiment to be replicated annum in crop losses throughout sub-Saharan management, especially via soil organic globally. Our initial first year findings in Malawi Africa, thereby threatening the livelihoods of carbon enhancement; (ii) diversifying and Zambia indicated that FAW populations in millions of poor farmers(1). Overuse and misuse the agricultural habitat at farm and smallholder fields were low and did not increase of pesticides in sub-Saharan Africa is a major landscape scales to provide living space as the season progressed, suggesting that they are environmental and human health concern. We and resources for natural enemies; and being held in check by natural mortality factors. are conducting research on agroecological (iii) conducting plot-scale interventions to We are currently monitoring experiments in approaches with the aim of developing robust disrupt the ability of pests to locate hosts, a second season and examining the effects of IPM strategies for FAW management. These while increasing the efficacy of natural treatments at different scales. offer culturally appropriate low-cost pest control enemies. Hence, through a highly replicated strategies that can be readily mainstreamed large-scale experiment across 12 landscapes p Some agroecological approaches for pest management. Contact (1) Minimum soil disturbance enhances soil biological properties Rhett D. Harrison (ICRAF, CGIAR, Zambia), r.harrison@cgiar.org (2) Mulching improves soils and provides habitat for insect predators (3) Intercrops improve soil fertility and diversify the field environment (4) Shrubs with flowers support parasitoid populations For further information (5) Trees provide perches and roosts for birds and bats (1) Abrahams P., Bateman M., Beale T., Clottey V., Cock M., et al., 2017. Fall armyworm: (6) Crop rotation improves soil fertility and diversifies the farm environment impacts and implications for Africa. Outlooks on Pest Management, 28(5): 196-201. (7) Scouting to identify pests and assess action thresholds (2) Harrison R.D., Thierfelder C., Baudron F., Chinwada P., Midege C., Schaeffner U., (8) and (9) Diverse field margins provide habitat for insect predators van den Berg J., 2019. Agro-ecological options for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (10) Insectivorous birds and bats reduce pest abundance JE Smith) management: providing low-cost, smallholder friendly solutions to an invasive (11) Insect hotel for predatory wasps pest. Journal of Environmental Management, 243: 318-330. (12) Predatory wasp. (3) Sinclair F., Wezel A., Mbow C., Chomba S., Robiglio V., Harrison R.D., 2019. The 43 contribution of agroecological approaches to realizing climate resilient agriculture. Rotterdam and Washington DC. Available online: www.gca.org Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Bioecology and sustainable management of invasive fall armyworm in sorghum crop The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera The results revealed that, sorghum seedlings Ecolaid Freedom, and neem oil were evaluated frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: were resistant to infestation by FAW for up and found to be effective in reducing the FAW Noctuidae), is an economically important to 25-30 days after planting when the seeds larval population in both sorghum/maize crops(1,2). pest native to the Americas that has recently were treated with Fortenza Duo (5 ml/kg), The push-pull cropping system, with napier grass invaded India. This polyphagous pest is reported which led to 15.0% leaf damage, followed by (Pennisetum purpureum) as border trap crop (Pull) to feed on 100 host plants from 27 plant Imidacloprid (4 g/kg), 20.0% damage compared and intercrop (push), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) families. However, it prefers to feed mainly to the control, which exhibited 45.0% damage(1,2). and mungo bean (Vigna radiata) resulted in the on graminaceous plants, i.e. chiefly maize. It Other management options like pheromone least (5.0%) crop damage compared to the also feeds on sorghum, pearl millet and finger traps, manual removal of eggs from host plants control plot (25% damage) in sorghum fields. millet (ICRISAT Mandate Crops). Many control and poison baits were also evaluated. Insecticides, Implementing all of the aforesaid cropping options were evaluated at ICRISAT (Patancheru, including chlorantraniliprole, spinetoram and system practices and other management Hyderabad, India) with the aim of developing an emamectin benzoate, along with biopesticides practices resulted in a successful reduction effective management strategy against this pest. such as Metarhizium rileyi, Streptomyces spp., in pest density in sorghum. How do we fight it? A meticulous, step-wise plan is needed to manage FAW outbreaks to prevent development of resistance to insecticides and to protect the environment. Contact Jagdish Jaba (ICRISAT, CGIAR, India), j.jagdish@cgiar.org, jaba.jagdish@gmail.com Other authors Vinod Kukanur, Jatin, Suraj Prashad Mishra, Gopalakrishnan S. and Pankaj Makanwar (ICRISAT, CGIAR, India) Sharnabasappa Deshmukh (University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka, India) For further information (1) Deshmukh S.S., Prasanna B.M., Kalleshwaraswamy C.M., Jaba J., Choudhary B., 2021. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). In Omkar (eds): Polyphagous pests of crops. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8075-8_8 (2) Jaba J., Suraj Mishra, Pankaj Maknwar, 2019. Strategies for sustainable management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in sorghum. Paper presented in XIX International Plant protection congress IPPC2019, 10-14 November, 2019, Hyderabad, Telangana, India www.researchgate.net/publication/344768815_Strategies_ for_sustainable_management_of_fall_armyworm_ p Step-wise sustainable management of fall armyworm. © ICRISAT Spodoptera_frugiperda_JE_Smith_in_sorghum_2 Pheromone traps targeting Spodoptera frugiperda reduces insecticide use in maize cropping systems in Mexico Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a lepidopteran pest native to the Americas, which recently started spreading worldwide(1). It is a widespread pest in most maize (Zea mays L.) producing areas in Mexico, where it can cause complete crop loss if not managed, especially in (sub)tropical areas. Farmers commonly lack knowledge on sustainable FAW management, and often apply large quantities of highly toxic insecticides to control this pest, causing environmental and health problems(2). FAW sex pheromones were first used to monitor populations to determine insecticide application needs and are now used for massive capture and mating disruption. In these traps, a pheromone lure is suspended in a 20 L container with side openings (Photo A). …cont’d 44 ☞ p Photo A. Pheromone traps in a field in Indaparapeo, Michoacán. © CIMMYT Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The bottom of the container is filled with soapy Contacts For further information water. Males are attracted to the lure and drown Simon Fonteyne (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), (1) Prasanna B., Huesing J.E., Eddy R., Peschke V.M., 2018. in the water. The traps can capture large numbers s.fonteyne@cgiar.org Fall armyworm in Africa: a guide for integrated pest of males, i.e. over 200 males ha-1 day-1, depending Fernando Bahena (CE Uruapan, National Institute of management. Mex CDMX CIMMYT, First Edit: 45-62. on the local population (Photo B). Generally, Research for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock, INIFAP, www.maize.org four traps per hectare can capture enough Mexico), bahena.fernando@inifap.gob.mx (2) Bejarano González F. 2017. Los plaguicidas altamente Nele Verhulst (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), peligrosos en México. Texcoco, Mexico: Red de Acción sobre males to drastically reduce mating and thus Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México, A.C. (RAPAM). oviposition, thereby reducing or eliminating n.verhulst@cgiar.org the need for insecticides for FAW control. The cost of pheromone traps and insecticides is similar, but pheromones have no negative effect on non-target species or farmers’ health. The drawbacks include the need to change the water frequently, which is labor intensive, the fact that pheromone traps are highly specific and do not control other pest species, and the lack of pheromone availability on the local market. CIMMYT partnered with INIFAP—the Mexican national research institute that developed the practice—to implement agroecological pest management in collaborative trials. The traps have therefore now been implemented successfully across Mexico and also tested in Zimbabwe. This is a safe, economical and environment-friendly method for FAW control, p Photo B. Massive capture of male Spodoptera frugiperda adults in Indaparapeo, Michoacán. that is suitable for smallholder farmers. © F. Bahena Insect nets to facilitate the agroecological transition in Africa Vegetable production in sub-Saharan reliance on intensive chemical control. How can cultivation techniques are often criticized because Africa is booming to feed the growing crop yields be increased without reliance on of the use of plastic. However, the insect net population, yet there is still widespread chemical inputs while promoting agroecology? can be recycled and the increased efficiency in Technology transfer and adoption agricultural input usage would offset the negative of affordable low-tech techniques, impacts, as suggested by life-cycle assessments. such as the use of insect nets, could Farmers’ low investment capacity hampers their meet this challenge and reduce adoption of this insect net technology despite the insecticide treatments. Research in fact that cost-effectiveness analyses have shown Benin, Tanzania and Kenya has shown that nets help offset variations in crop yield and that insect nets are easy to use and therefore in farmers’ incomes. They help stabilize protect plants against large pests cash flows, reduce production volatility and and extreme climatic conditions. quality variations. The use of insect nets thereby Growing crops such as tomato, beans, enhances farmers’ long-term vision by reducing cabbage, pepper, etc., under these nets the risks, allowing them to make medium-term helps reduce pest attacks, especially investments at lower risk. those responsible for direct damage to fruits or leaves, including birds, snails, locusts, caterpillars and flies. Yet these nets do not completely protect crops against phloem-feeding pests Contacts such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips and Émilie Deletre (HORTSYS, CIRAD, France), emilie.deletre@cirad.fr p High tunnels with 0.9 mm nets on each side and plastic roof mites, some of which can transmit with shade nets adapted to humid and hot climatic conditions in viruses. The confined environment Thibault Nordey (HORTSYS, CIRAD, France), Arusha, Tanzania. © T. Nordey under nets nevertheless facilitates thibault.nordey@cirad.fr biological control of these pests and Thibaud Martin (HORTSYS, CIRAD, France), thibaud.martin@cirad.fr pollination by bees from beehives with two openings that provide access For further information inside and outside the nethouse. This technique thus enables farmers to • Martin T., Parrot L., Belmin R., Nordey T., Basset-Mens C., Biard Y., Deletre E., Simon S., Le Bellec F., 2019. Anti-insect drastically reduce pesticide use, nets to facilitate the agroecological transition in Africa. while also mitigating the effects In Côte F.-X. et al. (eds): The agroecological transition of of extreme climatic conditions agricultural systems in the Global South. Éditions Quae, such as high solar radiation, heavy rains Versailles: 75-87. and dry winds. Shade nets decrease • Nordey T., Basset-Mens C., De Bon H., Martin,T., heat stress during the dry season Déletré E., Simon S., Malézieux E., 2017. Protected and a plastic roof can further reduce cultivation of vegetable crops in sub-Saharan Africa: limits and prospects for smallholders. A review. Agronomy for the risk of fungal diseases during the Sustainable Development, 37(6): 1-20. rainy season. Hence, insect nets help • Eco-friendly nets 2. A profitable climate smart agriculture extend the production period, increase technology (video): crop yields and improve the quality www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Ri6SuWTqk p Organic tomato production under insect nets in Nairobi area, in terms of organoleptic features and • Eco-friendly nets to avoid the use of pesticides (video): 45 Kenya. © T. Martin lower pesticide residues. Protected www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb-Ewrq42lI Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use Next-generation plant health management supported by science-based agroecological principles Leveraging the use of affordable mobile of external inputs such as resistant/tolerant Contactsdigital innovations offering appropriate pest varieties and compatible cropping practices, Manuele Tamò (IITA, CGIAR, Benin), management solutions could empower supplemented by organic and inorganic fertilizers, m.tamo@cgiar.org low-literacy African farmers to overcome the and the application of biopesticides and synthetic David Chikoye (IITA, CGIAR, Zambia), need for inappropriate pesticide treatments. pesticides as a last resort. Our game-changing d.chikoye@cgiar.org As the first pillar of our new paradigm, paradigm is centered around nature- mobile digital innovations must account for based pest management, underpinned by: For further information the diverse literacy levels and languages of (i) straightforward real-time farmer access (1) Bello-Bravo J., Tamò M., Dannon E.A., Pittendrigh B.R., pest management actors. Therefore, sustained to ICT tools, thereby empowering farmers 2018. An assessment of learning gains from educational efforts and investments are needed to translate to make their own decisions; (ii) science- animated videos versus traditional extension presentations scientifically validated and locally appropriate pest based ecological control first and foremost; among farmers in Benin. Information Technology for Development, 24: 224244. control approaches into formats compatible for (iii) and sustainable intensification to boost doi: 10.1080/02681102.2017.1298077 educational scaling(1). Research investigating productivity in an environment-friendly (2) Srinivasan R., Tamò M., Periasamy M., 2021. Emergence the very cause of a given pest problem way. Our proposed next generation plant of Maruca vitrata as a major pest of food legumes and —instead of just treating the symptoms— health management approach will, however, evolution of management practices in Asia and Africa. underlies the second pillar. This is illustrated be even more knowledge-intensive than its Annual Review of Entomology, 66: 141-161. by a case study on the legume pod borer precursor (pesticide-based IPM), so its successful (3) Tamò M., Afouda L., Bandyopadhyay R., Bottenberg H., (Maruca vitrata) in West Africa(3). The ‘business- implementation will necessitate significant Cortada-Gonzales L., Murithi H., Ortega-Beltran A., as-usual’ scenario tacitly considered this pest investment in farmer capacity building and Pittendrigh B., Sikirou R., Togola A., Wydra K.D., 2019. Identifying and managing plant health risks for key African as indigenous in West Africa and hence gave training. crops: legumes. In Neuenschwander P. and Tamò M. (eds): priority to the development of resistant varieties Critical issues in plant health: 50 years of research in African combined with insecticide applications. However, agriculture. Burleigh Dodds Scientific Publishing, Cambridge: the scant diversity, lack of specificity and low 259-294. efficiency of locally present natural enemies in West Africa prompted us to question the indigenous status of this pod borer, as also recently supported by the findings of population genetic studies, which confirmed its tropical Asian origin. Much higher diversity of hymenopteran parasitoids was documented in Asia than in West Africa, and the two most promising Asian biocontrol candidates have now been released in West Africa. They have become established in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, where a substantial reduction in pod borer populations was observed at pilot sites(2). The third pillar is related to the efficient targeted use p The exotic parasitoid Liragathis javana (formerly Therophilus javanus) Bath and Gupta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), stinging a Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) pod borer larva feeding inside a cowpea flower in the field. © D.A. Souna/IITA-Benin p Third instar larva of the parasitoid Liragathis javana egressing from a parasitized larva of the Maruca vitrata pod borer (red circle indicating exit hole) and continuing to feed on it as an ectoparasite. © D.A. Souna/IITA-Benin 46 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems From natural process regulation to agroecosystem design Agroecological solutions for the Global South – an example of service plants Intensive agrosystems systematically eliminate used in various monospecific cropping systems, mainstreamed into more or less territorialized some natural ecosystem characteristics, such as banana plantations and fruit orchards, to social systems, including value chains and, more especially by drastically reducing biodiversity control weeds (Photo), thereby curbing herbicide generally, food systems. and species interactions through deep and use. Furthermore, the inclusion of a cover frequent tillage, woody species removal, use crop modifies the system’s overall functioning Contact of a narrow range of crops at the field and in terms of water and nutrient cycles, as well as Éric Malézieux (HORTSYS, CIRAD, France), landscape scale, etc. The agroecological approach interactions between insect and microorganism eric.malezieux@cirad.fr therefore consists mainly of (re)introducing and communities. Introducing a new resource in the managing functional, cultivated and associated system is an effective food web modification For further information biodiversity within agrosystems in order to lever. Service plants are also used with annual (1) Malézieux E., 2012. Designing cropping systems from enhance ecosystem services. crop species via numerous techniques to fulfill nature. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 32(1): 15-29. various objectives, i.e. plant protection through http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13593-011-0027-z The diversity of communities that prevail attractive and repulsive processes, or soil (2) Malézieux E., Crozat Y., Dupraz C., Laurans M., Makowski D., Ozier Lafontaine H., Rapidel B., De in agrosystems likely helps ensure provision protection. For instance, service plants in mulch- Tourdonnet S., Valantin-Morison M., 2009. Mixing plant of a number of ecosystem services(1,2). For based systems can help maintain permanent plant species in cropping systems: concepts, tools and models. A instance, the introduction of a service plant will cover while limiting tillage. This practice reduces review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 29(1): 43-62. modify the composition of the plant community, erosion and enhances the soil biological activity, http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/agro:2007057 thereby promoting weed control. Service plants hence contributing to sustainable soil organic (3) Malézieux E., Rapidel B., Goebel F.-R., Tixier P., must satisfy a set of sometimes contradictory matter management. Agroecological principles 2019. From natural regulation processes to technical characteristics(3) (Figure). They are increasingly are based on natural ecosystem functioning innovation, what agroecological solutions for the countries of the Global South? In Côte F.-X. et al. (eds): analyses. For larger than plot scales, insight The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in into several organizational levels is needed to the Global South. Ed. Quae, Versailles, France: 199-217. implement these principles in agrosystems. (Agricultures et défis du monde) www.quae-open.com/ Yet the agroecological approach must also be produit/114/9782759230570/the-agroecological-transition- of-agricultural-systems-in-the-global-south Positive actions Soil cover on soil cover Ability to Competes minimally control weeds for water and nutriments with the main crop Service plant Availability of seeds Tolerance to shade Is not host to Compatible with pests or diseases the main crop p Cover plants in a Citrus plantation, Réunion (France). of the main crop at the technical level © E. Malézieux Antimicrobials in livestock farming in the Global South Minimizing their use while curbing health and socioeconomic risks Major changes in livestock farming t Main pathways for the spread of methods that have taken place over antimicrobial resistance in agriculture: research, the last 50 years have led to the actions and policies to be implemented. widespread use of antimicrobials in livestock and aquaculture. In some countries of the Global South—due to the growing demand for animal protein and the absence of appropriate regulations—the volume of antimicrobials used continues to rise, which has led to the emergence of bacterial resistance. These bacteria spread through natural food webs and commercial food chains (Figure), from local to global scales via human mobility and trade flows. Resistant bacteria pose a threat to human and animal health and ecosystems. International organizations and governments are calling for interventions to reduce antimicrobial use in livestock. The effectiveness of such actions depends on the implementation of One Health approaches combined with agroecological principles. …cont’d ☞ 47 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Substituting intensive external input use CIRAD is implementing a set of interdisciplinary the effectiveness of implemented measures Contacts approaches, drawing on qualitative and • r esearch on resistance circulation between Christian Ducrot (ASTRE, INRAE, France), quantitative research in Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia) human, animal and environmental christian.ducrot@inrae.fr and Africa (Mozambique, South Africa, Senegal): compartments Samira Sarter (ISEM, CIRAD, France), samira.sarter@cirad.fr • p articipatory approaches aimed at • research on antimicrobial supply chains François Roger (DGD-RS, CIRAD, Vietnam), identifying potential changes in livestock farming and on the regulatory and institutional francois.roger@cirad.fr practices to enhance animal disease prevention frameworks for their use. and reduce the use of antimicrobials, while Other authors using them rationally and curbing the negative In Vietnam, for example, a stakeholder analysis and Marion Bordier, Flavie Goutard, Sophie Molia, Alexis health and socioeconomic impacts on the companion modeling generated a conceptual and Delabouglise, Marisa Peyre, Etienne Loire and livelihoods of livestock farmers, particularly in methodological framework for implementing the Éric Cardinale (ASTRE, France) the most vulnerable regions One Health concept in antimicrobial resistance Muriel Figuié (MOISA, France) • r esearch on therapeutic and preventive surveillance. Farmers and other key stakeholders Adrien Rieux (PVBMT, France) alternatives are involved in research and innovation processes • d esign and assessment of integrated to support the transition to safer antimicrobial For further information surveillance systems (One Health) to use. Roger F., Ducrot C., 2017. Antimicrobials in agriculture: detect the emergence of resistance and evaluate reducing their use while limiting health and socioeconomic risks in the countries of the South. Perspective, 39: 1-4. https://doi.org/10.19182/agritrop/00014 Controlling hematophagous flies while curbing insecticide dissemination Development of attractive screens and traps Hematophagous flies (tabanids, Montpellier and Kasetsart University (Bangkok), controlling tsetse flies and in Asia against other Stomoxys spp., tsetse flies) are a major the National Veterinary School of Toulouse hematophagous flies. This major breakthrough scourge for humans and animals (ENVT) and the AtoZ company, has developed cannot, however, be implemented in Europe because of their bites and the transmission blue and blue-and-white polyethylene screens and America due to the widespread pyrethroid of parasitic (trypanosomosis, besnoitiosis), (Photos A and B), which are specifically attractive chemoresistance of flies. The new BioFlyTrap bacterial (anaplasmosis, Q fever) and viral to all hematophagous flies (Photo C). These program (modelled on FlyScreen) set up by diseases (bluetongue, West Nile, African swine FlyScreens—pyrethroid-impregnated CIRAD, IRD, INRAE, ENVT and a private partner, fever). These pests are conventionally controlled in an innovative way (patent pending)— aims to develop simple, light, insecticide-free, through massive insecticide treatments (sprays, enable targeted destruction of pest insects biodegradable and inexpensive capture traps pour-ons), which are not very effective and result without insecticide dissemination in the to be used on farms within a “Multi Targets in insecticide uptake in foods and dissemination environment. A proof of concept of control Method”—a promising project for efficient agro- in the environment. To reduce this pollution, efficacy by the Multi Targets Method (about ecological control, without plastic or insecticide the FlyScreen research program, conducted by 20 screens per farm) (Photo A) has been pollution of the environment. CIRAD in collaboration with the University of reported. FlyScreens will be used in Africa for A Contacts C Marc Desquesnes (INTERTRYP, CIRAD, France), marc.desquesnes@cirad.fr Philippe Solano (INTERTRYP, IRD, France), philippe.solano@ird.fr Philippe Jacquiet (IHAP, INRAE, France), philippe.jacquiet@envt.fr For further information • Onju S., Thaisungnoen K., Masmeatathip R., Duvallet G., Desquesnes M., 2020. Comparison of blue cotton and blue polyester fabrics to attract hematophagous flies in cattle farms in Thailand. J. Vector Ecol., 45(2): 262-268. p Photo A. Multi Targets Method: installation doi: 10.1111/jvec.12397. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33207049/ of 20 attractive FlyScreens for controlling • Desquesnes M., Bouhsira E., Chalermwong P., Drosne L., Duvallet G., Franc M., hematophagous flies. © M. Desquesnes Gimonneau G., Grimaud Y., Guillet P., Himeidan Y., Jacquiet P., Jittapalapong S., t Photo B. A Polyethylene deltamethrin- Karanja W., Liénard E., Onju S., Ouma J., Rayaisse J-B., Masmeatathip R., Salou E., B impregnated screens used in Thailand. Shah V., Shukri S., Thaisungnoen K., 2019. The multi targets method (MTM): an © M. Desquesnes innovative strategy for the control of biting flies as vectors. Ecology and Control p Photo C. A FlyScreen coated with a sticky of Vector-borne Diseases (ECVD), 6. 48 film, illustrating the high attractiveness to www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/epdf/10.3920/978-90-8686-895-7_5 hematophagous flies (here Stomoxys spp., • FlyScreen research program: in Réunion). © Y. Grimaud https://umr-intertryp.cirad.fr/recherche-et-impacts/projets/flyscreen Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Livestock co-grazing A catalyst for the agroecological transition of grassland systems Agroecology, as applied to livestock a dilution effect on the livestock parasite load a 15% increase in stocking density, a clear production, is based on the principle due to the host specificity of most digestive- reduction in feed purchases and in rotary slasher that animal-resource diversity within tract strongyles—during the phase of the cycle use than in specialized equine farms. Parasite livestock farming systems can reduce farmer when infesting larvae are in the sward, these excretion by ewe lambs grazing with heifers was reliance on inputs (drugs and concentrates). parasites may be ingested by an animal from twofold lower compared to monospecific grazing, In grassland-based systems, mixed grazing is the other species, thereby interrupting the and their growth was 40 g/day higher. Parasite assumed to make more efficient use of pastures larval development cycle. More efficient use excretion by young horses grazed with cattle was because of the complementary of cattle, sheep of grass resources was pointed out as being also twofold lower. A reduction in the frequency and horse grazing behaviour. Grazing cattle—and among the main advantages of mixed grazing of anthelmintic treatments would reduce variable even more so horses—create short vegetation by 84% of cattle-sheep farmers surveyed in farm costs and benefit coprophagous insects. patches in pastures, and thereby act as a Auvergne (France) during the new-DEAL project. Our recent research aims to determine pasture facilitator for the other species, which will benefit A bioeconomic optimization model also predicted management methods (species ratios, etc.) that from the subsequent high quality vegetation a 30% reduction in feed concentrate use. would optimize the benefits of mixed grazing. regrowth. Mixed grazing is also assumed to have In beef cattle-saddle horse farms, we observed Controlling hematophagous flies while curbing insecticide dissemination Contacts Development of attractive screens and traps Bertrand Dumont (Herbivores, INRAE, France), bertrand.dumont@inrae.fr Frédéric Joly (Herbivores, INRAE, France), frederic.joly@inrae.fr Géraldine Fleurance (Herbivores INRAE, IFCE, France), geraldine.fleurance@inrae.fr For further information • Dumont B., Fortun-Lamothe L., Jouven M., Thomas M., Tichit M., 2013. Prospects for agroecology and industrial ecology for animal production in the 21st century. Animal, 7: 1028-1043. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731112002418 • Forteau L., Dumont B., Sallé G., Bigot G., Fleurance G., 2020. Horses grazing with cattle have reduced strongyle egg count due to the dilution effect and increased reliance on macrocyclic lactones in mixed farms. Animal, 14: 1076-1082. Ecological intensification in aquaculture Aquaculture is the agricultural production such as formulated feeds, while maximizing the state of Santa Catarina. In Indonesia, sector with the highest growth rate. In outputs by relying on natural productivity and the a combined Pangasius/gourami/duckweed system 2030, it will have to provide more than development of associated ecosystem services. was tested in ponds. This scenario—based 60% of all fish needed for human consumption. on nutrient recycling, water quality This increased production will induce greater Aquaculture practices for ecological management, and diversification of input consumption. The resulting environmental intensification are highly diversified and often produced species—performed better in impacts and the degradation of farm effluents integrated within the ecosystem or territory. In terms of eutrophication and acidification, highlight the need to design new aquaculture Brazil, an ecological intensification scenario that as calculated by life cycle analysis. production systems. In this context, the included lagooning with macrophytes in integrated Nevertheless, adapting scientific knowledge to ecological intensification of aquaculture systems systems called MAPIVI (pigs/tilapia or carp the diverse range of aquaculture operations proposes the use of the ecological processes polyculture) was studied. Effluent quality was and creating a sociocultural environment and functions of the system as a way to boost improved alongside greater acceptability conducive to innovation appropriation remain production, reduce impacts, and enhance the of the system. This validated scenario the key challenges of ecological intensification in ecosystem services of aquaculture. The challenge was thus incorporated in the national aquaculture. is to foster systems requiring few or no inputs, framework for fish farming in the Brazilian Contacts Domenico Caruso (ISEM, IRD, France), domenico.caruso@ird.fr Jean-Michel. Mortillaro (ISEM, CIRAD, France), jean-michel.mortillaro@cirad.fr Maria J. Darias (MARBEC, IRD, France), maria.darias@ird.fr Joël Aubin (SAS, INRAE, France), joel.aubin@inrae.fr For further information Aubin J., et al., 2017 Implementing ecological intensification in fish farming: definition and principles from contrasting experiences. Reviews in Aquaculture, 11(1): 149-167. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12231 t Agro-aquaculture ecosystem in West Java, Indonesia. 49 © D. Caruso/IRD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Chapter 3 Redesigning agroecosystems on the basis of a new set of ecological processes from farm and landscape This chapter focuses on the redesign, implementation and by enhancing natural enemy survival and action by increasing floral management of agroecosystems that differ from current diversity in rice landscapes (Zaidi et al.). On a larger scale, Farming systems. This redesign process is driven by a transformation with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) strategies use marketable habitat commitment (less dependence on pesticides, more efficient in the use enhancement plants consisting (in small areas) of spices, oil seeds or of water, decent work and improved wellbeing, adaptation to climate other vegetables that attract and sustain higher abundance and diversity change, landscape quality and biodiversity preservation, etc.). It may of wild pollinators and natural enemies over time (Christmann). represent a real break with the past while being geared towards long- term change. It draws on certain agroecological principles: diversifying Functions and ecosystem services of agroforestry: Agroforestry varieties/breeds, crop rotations, fostering complementarity between systems—combining woody species and annual crops—are very livestock and crop production, reintroducing trees in farms and diversified. They range from traditional tree monocultures (coffee, landscapes, and reconsidering agroforestry systems in terms of their cocoa, rubber, fruit orchards, etc.), where the challenge is to enhance multifunctionality. Although often having a specific focus, it soon strives diversity within and between species so as to ensure their resilience and to reconsider all agroecosystem functions and services, and their sustainability, to multispecies agroecosystems including bocage systems sustainability and resilience in response to the highly variable nature (trees-crops-livestock), to natural agroforestry parks, which must be of external constraints (climate, prices, etc.). This redesign process preserved in the light of the various pressures exerted on them. The may take place on the farm or in the landscape, within the scope issues and intended redesigns are dealt differently in these systems. In of collective management (watershed, small management area), or traditional cropping systems, research focuses on the functional traits within a broader territorial project involving non-farmer stakeholders of agroforestry systems, particularly in view of the need for better (public authorities, environmental protection or tourism agencies). pest control, but also of the diversity of the ecosystem functions This chapter is devoted to five major themes, the first four of which and services of these systems (Avelino et al.; Penot). The idea is to approach agroecosystem redesign from a specific standpoint, while the optimize natural resource use (a unit of agroforestry area produces last one calls for a review of all agroecosystem functions and services. more than the sum of crops grown in pure stands) and to generate functional synergies (Winowiecki et al.; Rodenburg et al.). An example Enhancing biological interactions: Insight into the importance of regarding cocoa systems illustrates the impacts of the introduction of a biological diversity and biotic interactions in agroecosystems has led mixture of fruit and forest trees chosen for their varied assets (cocoa to the development of strategies based on the introduction of new yield, biological pest control, product diversity, etc.) (Jagoret). The biological diversity, the analysis of its effects and its role in disease contribution of these systems to climate change mitigation through resistance and control, and in pollination. A literature review has carbon sequestration in wood and soil—as illustrated in the case of highlighted interactions between crop protection practices and viral hedges and hedgerows—is a challenge that needs to be accurately and zoonotic diseases, with a One Health vision (Ratnadass & Deguine). spatiotemporally quantified (Viaud & Thenail). Water management is Redesign research regarding banana agroecosystems in the West also important, as demonstrated here in fruit tree-crop intercropping Indies takes the functional traits of plants into account, with the aim systems implemented in Mediterranean and dryland regions to manage of selecting these so-called service plants and combining them as scarce water resources (Wery et al.). Regarding nature parks, the aim is multifunctional cover crops for weed control, while also optimizing to renew interest in tree products, in line with current socioeconomic nitrogen resource acquisition (Dorel et al.). An ecological engineering priorities, while developing forest product value chains and establishing approach promotes biological control for sustainable pest management new governance rules (Cardinael; Seghieri et al.). q Restoration of an agrosylvopastoral production system of the Ouled Sbaihia community located in a semiarid area in Tunisia. © Slim Slim 50 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Enhancing the complementarity of crop and livestock farming: while sometimes preserving certain spaces within the landscape The status of livestock is questioned in this redesign process: animals (Deconchat et al.). The landscape dimension is particularly important enhance the value of certain highly stressed environments (drylands, in agropastoral systems, which use areas that vary according to the mountains, etc.) and enable biogeochemical cycles to be completed by seasons, rainfall and soil moisture conditions (Mekuria & McCartney; enhancing the value of certain resources, returning nutrients to the soil Romero et al.; Strohmeier et al.). and stimulating the soil biological activity (Louhaichi & Hassan; Rekik et al.). Livestock-crop integration can also be an adaptation option Building resilience through ecosystem services: Redesign calls in a climate change setting (products and additional food resources), into question all agroecosystem functions and services. There are yet also a constraint, i.e. providing livestock feed resources even in numerous examples of participatory design approaches—also known drought conditions (stocks, new resources) (Novak et al.). Management as open innovation—to identify acceptable innovative solutions, of the water and soil moisture status is a common focal point. Some drawing on academic and field knowledge to identify agroecosystem examples illustrate this introduction in agroforestry systems and transition scenarios (Scopel; Saj & Demenois; Sourisseau et al.). agropastoral systems requiring water management. The conversion of Conceptual frameworks have been formalized to account for ecosystem mixed crop-livestock systems into organic farming systems can reduce service function value chains (Rakotovao et al.; Lescourret et al.). farm vulnerability through more autonomous nutrient management Many examples derive from India, sub-Saharan Africa (West Africa, (Martin). Mixed fish-rice production systems are also part of this loop Madagascar), France, etc., regarding various systems, illustrating ways mindset, but this time at the field level (Freed et al.). of accounting for GHG emissions, carbon sequestration, soil function conservation, reduction of energy or water consumption (Ruiz & Redesigning landscapes: Agroecosystem redesign initiatives often Sekhar), etc., thereby mitigating the weak aspects of each system. have to take the landscape scale into account, including production Agroecology constitutes a lever for climate change adaptation and and interstitial areas, which can have a regulatory role (specific mitigation (Kebede et al.). It is vital to take agricultural work and the habitat, refuge, etc.), including a broad range of environments (diverse role of the actors, particularly women (Crossland et al.), into account soils, access to water resources according to the hydrological in this innovative concept in order to address and even overturn well- conditions) (Petit-Michaut; Omondi et al.). Closer adaptation of established practices. agroecosystems to their environment, including possible synergies and complementarities between cultivated and natural biodiversity, farmers, landscape management stakeholders and the territory also sometimes have to be considered in this process (Yadav et al.). The territory Kwesi Atta-Krah is a socioecosystem in which environments, activities and societies (IITA, CGIAR) coevolve—ecosystem services such as cultural, memorial and historical Chantal Gascuel amenities are particularly attached to it. (Scientific Directorate for the Environment, INRAE) These different aspects are partly illustrated with regard to the Etienne Hainzelin landscape level and geared towards enhancing the regulatory services (Board of Directors, CIRAD) of the landscape against pests and diseases. This is achieved by Marcela Quintero taking semi-natural spaces and their functions into consideration, (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR) 51 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Enhancing biological interactions Agroecology for crop protection and zoonotic disease control R ecent viral zoonotic outbreaks have efficiency improvement (conventional practices redesign-based practices in the been partially attributed to the negative with agrochemical insecticides and rodenticides), agroecological crop protection (ACP) impact of human activities on ecosystem substitution (physical/mechanical or biopesticide- framework generally resulted in biodiversity. A review of the scientific literature based methods), or redesign (biological control VZ prevention via different processes on interactions between crop protection (CP) via habitat conservation and management, (Figure). Several examples concerned cropping practices and viral zoonoses (VZs) encompassed including some forms of crop-livestock farming systems studied by research units of the over 200 references. This review highlighted integration). CP practices covered in the Occitanie region scientific community, e.g. rice actual or potential interactions between VZ literature review primarily targeted vertebrate cropping-duck rearing integration, the fostering and CP practices based (for the latter) on pests (rodents and bats) and insects, but also of vertebrate predators in oil palm plantations, plant pathogenic microorganisms or of weaver ants in fruit tree orchards. The and weeds. Methods based on literature review also revealed that ACP, while efficiency improvement and helping integrate plant health within the broader substitution (partly), as well as One Health concept, also addresses other major some crop-livestock integration global challenges, given its positive impacts in practices, have shown negative, terms of enhancing climate resilience, animal mixed or conflicting impacts welfare and biodiversity conservation (Figure). on VZ risks. Conversely, Contacts Alain Ratnadass (HortSys, CIRAD, France), alain.ratnadass@cirad.fr Jean-Philippe Deguine (PVBMT, CIRAD, France), jean-philippe.deguine@cirad.fr For further information Ratnadass A., Deguine J.P., 2021. Crop protection practices and viral zoonotic risks within a One Health framework. Science of the Total Environment, 774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145172 t Agroecological crop protection (ACP) (central black triangle): direct or indirect reduction (red arrows) of viral zoonotic risks (VZ), contribution to the One Health concept extended to the four health types (circles), including global climatic resilience, biodiversity conservation and animal welfare challenges. Adapted from Ratnadass & Deguine (2021) Biodiversification enhanced by service plants A lever for the agroecological transition of banana agrosystems In the 1980s, banana agrosystems in the French West Indies were based on intensive monoculture systems with little diversity and heavy use of synthetic pesticides (particularly nematicides and insecticides) and mineral fertilizers. The necessary agroecological transition of these systems first involved prophylactic cropping strategies based on the use of healthy planting materials (micropropagated plantlets) combined with fallowing and crop rotations that had a sanitizing effect against soilborne pests. The plant biodiversity initially introduced in these systems was underpinned by crops or herbaceous plants initially selected for their 52 service plant role to control the endoparasitic nematode Radopholus similis thanks to their non- host status. …cont’d ☞ p A banana-Crotalaria association. © R. Domergue Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems A generic approach was then developed, based enhancement, erosion mitigation, etc. This new conservation agriculture and agroforestry while on the functional traits of these plants, i.e. their pathway has oriented French West Indian seeking functional complementarity with trees. individual features related to their functioning in banana systems towards plurispecific This transition is under way in a partnership the agrosystem. The aim was to select these so- agrosystems spatiotemporally combining framework involving banana growers’ groups and called ‘service plants’ for a supplementary broader plant species with complementary traits. their R&D technical services. It could also concern, range of ecosystem services, and to combine them These banana systems—enriched by this chosen in a contextualized manner, countries of the as multifunctional cover crops for weed control, functional biodiversity—are shifting to an Global South in a quest for banana agrosystem nitrogen resource optimization, soil structure increased extent towards organic agriculture, sustainability. p A banana-Desmodium ovalifolium-Arachis repens Contacts • Risède J.M., Achard R., Brat P., Chabrier C., Damour G., association. © H. Tran Quoc/GECO Marc Dorel (GECO, CIRAD, France), marc.dorel@cirad.fr Guillermet C., De Lapeyre de Bellaire L., Loeillet D., Lakhia S., Meynard C., Tixier P., Tran Quoc H., Salmon F., Gaëlle Damour (GECO, CIRAD, France), Côte F.X., Dorel M., 2019. The agroecological transition gaelle.damour@cirad.fr of Cavendish banana cropping systems in the French Jean-Michel Risède (GECO, CIRAD, France), West Indies. In Côte F.-X. et al. (eds), The agroecological jean-michel.risede@cirad.fr transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. Ed. Quae, Versailles: 107-126. Agricultures et défis du monde. For further information • X International Symposium on Banana: ISHS-ProMusa • Damour G., Dorel M., Tran Quoc H., Meynard C., Symposium on Agroecological Approaches to Promote Risède J.M., 2014. A trait-based characterization of Innovative Banana Production Systems (October 2016): cover plants to assess their potential to provide a set of www.ishs.org/ishs-book/1196 ecological services in banana cropping systems. European Journal of Agronomy, 52: 218-228. Ecological engineering-based interventions for sustainable pest management in rice-based cropping systems Ecological engineering is a habitat management approach aimed at providing shelter and food for natural pest control agents while promoting biodiversity and structural complexity within the agroecosystem. Ecological engineering involves modification to enhance biological control for sustainable pest management. It includes habitat management to foster natural enemy survival and action via increased floral diversity on rice field bunds, for instance. Unlike other flowering plants, rice lacks floral and nectar resources to attract natural enemies. Planting additional floral/nectar- rich flowering plants on rice bunds can ensure year-round resources for natural enemies. Border plants have been shown to increase parasitization of yellow stem borer and leafhopper egg masses(1,2). …cont’d ☞ 53 p Habitat manipulation with marigolds to maintain natural enemies in rice ecosystems. © Chitra Shanker/IIRR, Hyderabad India Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Flowers of five different plant species, i.e. green During 2017-2020, ecological engineering-based gram (Vigna radiata), marigold (Tagetes erecta), pest management interventions were conducted sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), cowpea (Vigna across different agro-climatic zones in Odisha unguiculata) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), state, India. It would be essential to elucidate For further information were tested against a control only or their the compounding effects of eco-engineered (1) Chitra S., Amudhan S., Lydia Ch., Sampathkumar M., effectiveness in attracting predatory mirid bug interventions on cropping systems overall. Scaling Gururaj K., 2012. Effect of flowering plants on longevity (Cyrtorhinus lividipennis) and coccinellid predators of such eco-engineered interventions could and fecundity of the parasitoids of the Green Leafhopper, (Micraspis discolor, Harmonia octomaculata and enhance farmers’ productivity and profitability, Nephotettix virescens on rice. In Gururaj K. et al. (eds.): Coccinella transversalis) in a six-arm olfactometer. thereby boosting their income, livelihoods, while International conference on plant health management for food C. lividipennis attraction was high in sunn hemp, helping restore agroecosystem functioning, security: abstracts of the international conference, held at DRR, Hyderabad, India, Abst. N° OP7: 21-22. followed by cowpea, marigold and okra. All three reducing pest infestations and improving (2) Chitra S., Sampath Kumar M., Jhansirani B., Lydia Ch., predatory coccinellids were attracted more to environmental protection. Amudhan S., Gururaj K., 2015. Impact of ecological cowpea, followed by okra and green gram(3). Contacts engineering on egg parasitisation of the yellow stem The different parasitoids occurring in rice Najam Waris Zaidi (IRRI, CGIAR, India), n.zaidi@irri.org borer, Scirpophaga incertulus (Walker) in rice in the ecosystems include Oligosita sp., Anagrus sp., National meeting on New/safer molecules and biocontrol Sunil Kumar (IRRI, CGIAR, India), sunil.kumarm@irri.org Drynid sp., Charops sp., Tetrastichus shoenobii, technologies for integrated pest management in crops, Chitra Shanker (Indian Institute of Rice Research, IIRR, Xanthopimpla sp. and Gryon sp. An increased Bengaluru, Feb. 23, 2015.India), chitrashanker@gmail.com abundance of natural enemies including (3) Vijayaraghavendra R., Vijaya Lakshmi K., Chitra S., Malathi S., Jagadeeshwar R., Damodar Raju C., 2019. predators and parasitoids was noted, while the Other authors Olfactory response of insect predators of rice brown parasitism rate also increased significantly in Virender Kumar, Sudhanshu Singh and Jon Hellin (IRRI, plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.)) to flower volatiles. eco-engineered plots compared to control plots. CGIAR, Philippines, India and Philippines respectively) Journal of Entomology and zoology studies, 7(1): 1095-1099. Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) increases productivity by sustaining beneficial insects A strategy for ecological transformation of agriculture in low- and middle-income countries Agriculture still threatens pollinators most, plants attract and sustain higher abundance need for chemicals (SDG 3)(4). Higher production but 75% of human food crops, 87% of and diversity of wild pollinators and natural per surface reduces the need for agricultural land flowering plants and all ecosystem enemies over a long period. They markedly expansion. For biodiversity conservation both are services provided by these flowering plants increase the productivity of the main crop and necessary: agroecological intensification in fields depend on pollinators(1). Therefore, pollinator reduce pest abundance, thereby minimizing the and reduced expansion of agricultural areas. In loss can cause interlinked spirals of degradation need to invest in chemicals(2,3,4). Farmers gain dry areas experiencing rapid climate change and impoverishment(1). While Europe invests significantly higher income from the main crop —as in the MENA region—FAP is even more billions to reward farmers for seeding wildflower and additional income from MHEP(2,3). MHEP essential than elsewhere, because: (i) 87% of strips to protect pollinators, low- and middle- provide a buffer against income loss if the main flowering plants need cross-pollination to income countries cannot afford such rewarding crop is attacked by pests or diseases(2,3). Instead adapt to climate change (SDG 13, 15)(4); and schemes(2,3). Farming with Alternative Pollinators of environmentally-unfriendly external inputs, FAP (ii) most pollinator-dependent crops generate (FAP) was developed to address this problem(2,3). uses two ecosystem services for intensification, higher revenue per water unit than pollinator- FAP avoids opportunity costs associated i.e. pollination and pest control. FAP substantially independent crops(4). Landscapes with flowering with wildflower strips by using only increases crop production per surface and thus FAP fields are also attractive for recreation, marketable habitat enhancement plants contributes to food security (SDG 2), while so FAP adoption can further benefit rural (MHEP) and low-cost nesting materials. combating poverty (SDG 1) and promoting communities by offering the possibility of Small areas of spice, oil seed or other vegetable human health and wellbeing due to the reduced generating income from ecotourism (SDG 1)(4). Contact Stefanie Christmann (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), s.christmann@cgiar.org For further information (1) Christmann S., 2019a. Do we realize the full impact of pollinator loss on other ecosystem services and the challenges for any restoration in terrestrial areas? Restor. Ecol., 27(4): 720-725. (2) Christmann S., Aw-Hassan A., Rajabov T., Khamraev A.S., Tsivelikas A., 2017. Farming with alternative pollinators increases yields and incomes of cucumber and sour cherry. Agron. Sust. Dev., 37: 24. doi:10.1007/s13593-017-0433-y (3 ) Christmann S., Aw-Hassan A., Güler Y., Sarisu H.C., Bernard M., Smaili M.C., Tsivelikas A., 2021. Two enabling factors for farmer-driven pollinator protection in low- and middle-income countries. Int. J. Agr. Sustain., doi: 10.1080/14735903.2021.1916254 (4) Christmann S., 2019b. Climate change 54 enforces to look beyond the plant. The example of pollinators. Curr. Opin. Plant. Biol., 56: 162-167. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Functions and ecosystem services of agroforestry Trees are pivotal in the agroecological management of coffee pests and diseases The presence of trees within and in the vicinity of coffee stands impacts pest and disease development. Trees may stimulate three agroecological pathways: (i) they modify the physical environment and directly or indirectly curb pest and disease development by enhancing the development of natural enemies or changing the physiology of crop plants; (ii) they modify the biological environment and favor natural enemies (birds, certain arthropods and microorganisms); and (iii) they create physical barriers that hamper pest and pathogen movement. It is essential to gain insight into these different pathways so as to be able to effectively use trees as a lever in the agroecological management of pests and diseases of coffee or other crops. Some diseases are almost absent in coffee- based agroforestry systems because the trees regulate extreme ambient temperatures (e.g. brown eyespot disease caused by Cercospora p Croton windbreaks in coffee plots under Inga tree shade, Apaneca, Salvador. © J. Avelino coffeicola). Shade trees help regulate fruit load on penetrates coffee leaves via wounds inflicted by Contacts coffee trees, while avoiding imbalances conducive cold winds. Finally, the presence of forest stands Jacques Avelino (PHIM, CIRAD, France), to the development of other diseases such as in coffee landscapes reduces the impact of coffee jacques.avelino@cirad.fr dieback, associated with Colletotrichum spp., or berry borer, probably by making it harder for this Fabienne Ribeyre (PHIM, CIRAD, France), coffee leaf rust caused by Hemileia vastatrix. pest to access resources during non-fruit bearing fabienne.ribeyre@cirad.fr Trees host predators of insect pests, such as periods. Trees can have complex and sometimes Bernard Dufour (PHIM, CIRAD, France), birds and ants, while providing moist and shady unwanted impacts on pests and diseases, some bernard.dufour@cirad.fr conditions that are favorable for fungal natural of which are unstable due to interactions with For further information enemies (Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium the environment. Moreover, not all trees are equivalent. A current research challenge is to • Avelino J., Allinne C., Cerda R., Willocquet L., Savary S., lecanii). In this way, trees enable the regulation of 2018. Multiple-disease system in coffee: from crop loss the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) identify trees with functional traits that will help assessment to sustainable management. Annual Review of and rust. Moreover, tree windbreaks help avoid curb unwanted impacts while maintaining the Phytopathology, 56: 611-635. coffee blight caused by Phoma costarricensis, which sought-after effects. • Avelino J., Ten Hoopen G.M., DeClerck F.A.J., 2011. Ecological mechanisms for pest and disease control in coffee and cacao agroecosystems of the Neotropics. In Rapidel B. et al. (eds): Ecosystem services from agriculture and agroforestry measurement and payment. e Earthscan: 91-117. Rubber agroforestry systems in Kalimantan, Indonesia A survey was conducted by CIRAD in 2019 on the evolution of rubber agroforestry system (RAS) trial plots that had been set up in the 1990s in West Kalimantan as part of the Smallholder Rubber Agroforestry Project(3). In 1994, most farmers relied mainly on jungle rubber, i.e. a seedling- based agroforestry system with low crop productivity (500 kg/ha/year) but high biomass and biodiversity. Most farmers wanted access to clonal rubber planting material to improve land productivity (expected yields of up to 1,800 kg/ha/year) while retaining the advantages of their agroforestry practices. …cont’d ☞ 55 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Farm trials were originally set up with local cultivation due to the low rubber prices prevailing farmers for multiple reasons: (i) to provide clones since 2013—they are now relying on several and generate high rubber yields; (ii) to maintain crops yet have not abandoned rubber definitively. Contact agroforestry practices to benefit from positive Rubber is still planted for income diversification, externalities and ecosystemic services in the Éric Penot (Innovation, CIRAD, France), mainly in monoculture and RAS 2-type systems eric.penot@cirad.fr long run; and (iii) to diversify income via timber, (i.e. with 550 rubber trees/ha, and 250 associated fruit, resin and other forest products. In 1997, oil fruit/timber trees/ha in the inter-rows). Most For further information palm emerged in the landscape through the very local farmers favor agroforestry practices as long (1) Penot E., 2001. Stratégies paysannes et évolution des rapid development of private concessions, which as they do not jeopardize the rubber production savoirs : l’hévéaculture agroforestière indonésienne. Thèse de provided local farmers with an opportunity to potential and can significantly increase their gross doctorat, Faculté des Sciences économiques, Montpellier, gain access to good quality oil palm plots (2 ha) margin/ha (by 30% on average in 2020). The Université Montpellier I, 360 p. in exchange for land for the estate concession long-term sustainability of RAS systems (2) Penot E., Courbet P., Chambon B., Ilahang I., (5 ha, mainly oil palm). Oil palm became the is recognized. The recovery of wood from Komardiwan I., 1999. Les agroforêts à hévéas a2éliorées priority crop for most smallholders in the 2000s. rubber and associated timber trees at the end en Indonésie : mythe ou réalité. Plantations, recherche, All forest and most jungle rubber stands have of rubber lifecycle helps cover replanting costs. développement, 6(6): 400-414. http://agritrop.cirad.fr/476652 disappeared. In 2019, roughly two-thirds of the RAS therefore significantly contributes to the (3) Penot E., Ilahang I., Asgnari A., 2019. Rubber agroforestry systems in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Which changes from 1994 to area was cropped with oil palm and one- agroecological transition and provides a serious 2019 for SRAP/RAS (Smallholder rubber agroforestry project/ third with clonal rubber. Meanwhile, smallholder alternative to oil palm monoculture. Rubber agroforestry systems)? CIRAD//CIFOR. Montpellier, farmers’ interest has shifted away from rubber Bogor, December 2019. Implementing farmer-centered approaches to scale agroecological principles in smallholder systems in Niger and Kenya Smallholder farming is a critical contributor Farmers in Kenya and Niger implemented planned empowering farmers to restore degraded lands. to global food security but is highly on-farm comparisons to test and innovate land Research in Development ensures colearning for threatened by land degradation, loss of management practices able to restore agricultural multiple stakeholders throughout the project soil function/fertility and corresponding low crop productivity and ecosystem health. These planned cycle to ensure adaptive management. Farmers yields. Land degradation must be addressed comparisons—which differ radically from past and local communities compare the performance through active engagement of farmers to integrate development approaches—embed research into of promising practices across differing contexts. restorative agricultural practices on their farms. the development(1) and scaling process, while …cont’d ☞ p Farmer centred planned comparison approach. © S. Chesterman. 56 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems In Kenya, farmers compared different soil water socioeconomic and environmental aspects(2). could be an interesting alternative. Results conservation measures alongside tree planting The combined application of FMNR and obtained in Kenya showed that—relative to and tree management practices. Specifically, they mineral fertilizer microdosing associated farmers’ usual practices—two- to four- tailored different sized planting basins (with and with manure produced the highest yields fold crop yield increases were achieved without manure) for the various crops to meet across all five regions in Niger(3). FMNR in basins with manure, whereas a two- their needs while integrating multipurpose tree involves regenerating native trees within crop fold increase was obtained in unamended species. In Niger, farmers compared farmer fields, thereby contributing wind protection, basins. Furthermore, farmers reported managed natural regeneration (FMNR), crop organic matter from leaf and root decomposition, increased food security and income as well residue composting and integrated management while enhancing the hydrological cycle. Given the as, most notably, decreased reliance on options. Over 10,000 farming households were lack of mineral fertilizer—which is a constraint food aid thanks to the increased yields and monitored for 3 years to track and document for farmers—FMNR application with microdosing diversified products. the impact of land restoration options on of manure in millet/cowpea intercropping systems Contacts For further information Leigh Winowiecki (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), (1) Coe R., Sinclair F., Barrios E., 2014. Scaling up l.a.winowiecki@cgiar.org agroforestry requires research “in” rather than “for” Christine Magaju (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), development. Curr. Opin. Environ. Sustain., 6: 73-77. c.magaju@cgiar.org doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2013.10.013 Vincent Bado (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Niger), v.bado@cgiar.org (2)World Agroforestry, 2020. Restoration of degraded land for food security and poverty reduction in East Africa and the Sahel: employing a farmer-centered approach in Ethiopia, Other authors Kenya, Mali and Niger. World Agroforestry, Nairobi, Kenya. Anthony Whitbread (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Tanzania) www.worldagroforestry.org/output/full-brochure-2020- Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor using-planned-comparisons-east-africa-and-sahel University, UK) (3) Bado B.V., Whitbread A., Sanoussi Manzo M.L., 2021. Improving agricultural productivity using agroforestry systems: performance of millet, cowpea, and ziziphus- based cropping systems in West Africa Sahel. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107175 Agroecological intensification of low yielding rice production systems by integrating trees Integrating trees in rice production systems practice, the average effect of adding trees rostrata, Acacia auriculiformis, Gliricidia sepium, can contribute to agroecological transitions compared to a no-fertilizer and no-tree control Acacia nilotica and Leuceana leucocephala. There by increasing soil health, nutrient cycling was found to be +20%. has been relatively little concerted effort by and economic diversification, but rice is often the international research and development considered as a weak competitor and may When trees were combined with fertilizers, rice community to investigate and promote rice thereby not yield well when grown with trees. yields were on average 24% higher than fertilized agroforestry, particularly in Africa, where a range A literature review distinguished six rice rice without trees, under low yielding conditions of policy and institutional factors may discourage agroforestry practices: long-term rotations, (control < 1.5 t ha-1), but 13% lower under farmers from integrating trees in their fields and hedgerow intercropping, green manuring, higher yielding conditions (control > 1.5 t ha-1) farming landscapes. Accelerated climate change long-term rice–tree intercropping, traditional (Figure). Hedgerow intercropping and biomass and increasing demand on natural resources agroforestry practices, and forest or fallow transfer were the most beneficial practices warrant greater investment in this area. Judicious management, involving 188 tree species(1). Trees in terms of enhancing rice yield. Several tree evidence-based promotion of tree integration provide a range of products and services, but species were identified that combined rice yield in rice-based production systems in the tropics rice yield is the only quantitative performance enhancement (in addition to other products and calls for basic agronomic and farmer-participatory indicator with sufficient reported data to enable services) with wide environmental adaptability research to support local innovation on tailored meta-analysis. Across the types of agroforestry across the African continent, including: Sesbania best practices and tree species. Contact Jonne Rodenburg (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK), j.rodenburg@greenwich.ac.uk Other authors Eefke Mollee (Bangor University, UK) Richard Coe (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya) Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/ Bangor University, UK) p Rice yield with trees plotted against the corresponding yield without trees for observations with and without For further information fertilizer. (1) Rodenburg J., Mollee E., Coe R., Sinclair F. The 1:1 line (black) indicates equality between yield with and without trees. The mean yield with trees conditional on yield (in review). Yield benefits from tree without (blue line) is a smoothing curve with approximate 95% confidence interval (grey band). Different coloured points integration in smallholder rice cropping 57 distinguish observations from different studies. Total of 40 studies. Source: Rodenburg et al., in review. systems. Field Crops Research. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Agroforestry – a viable option for sustainable cocoa production in Africa A ssociations of cocoa trees with other area of cocoa trees calculated from the trees—or so-called cocoa agroforestry measurement of basal area of cocoa trees systems—can contribute to the and that of associated trees. In Cameroon, agroecological transition of this crop in Africa. this indicator is on average 40% in adult Pure cocoa crop stands with little or no shade cocoa agroforestry farms producing 1 t/ha of still prevail, but they are currently showing marketable cocoa. Roughly the same value is their limits. Technical solutions are thus urgently noted in cocoa farms offering the best trade- needed to consolidate the current cocoa-growing off between cocoa yield, carbon storage and areas, reduce the pressure on forests and adapt pest control. This easy-to-use indicator must be to climate change. Farmers have been advised tailored to the cocoa growing area. It could also against agroforestry practices in recent years be adopted for sustainable cocoa production due to possible competition they could generate certification purposes, while the convergence within cocoa farms, yet recent studies conducted between local know-how and scientific results in Cameroon have, conversely, shown that could also facilitate joint drawing up of technical a balance can be struck between cocoa trees recommendations. and fruit and forest trees chosen by farmers for their various uses, while maintaining a good cocoa yield in the long term. This balance, which Contact farmers achieve through careful management of trees associated with cocoa trees, also enables Patrick Jagoret (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), patrick.jagoret@cirad.fr the provision of ecological services such as carbon storage, biodiversity maintenance and For further information p View of a typical cocoa agroforestry system in cocoa pest control. To achieve these trade- Jagoret P., Saj S., Carimentrand A., 2020. Cocoa agroforestry the central Cameroon (Obala). offs, cocoa agroforestry stands can be systems in Africa. The art of reconciling sustainable Cocoa trees are dominated by an intermediate managed using a straightforward indicator, production and ecological services. Perspective, 54. stratum consisting mainly of fruit trees, with the i.e. measurement of the relative basal https://doi.org/10.19182/perspective/31916 whole stand dominated by a canopy of tall forest trees. © P. Jagoret Hedgerows – functions in agroecosystems and contributions to carbon sequestration in France IPCC stresses that the inclusion of trees solely viewed as environmental in agricultural areas is an effective lever elements. Assessments of these for climate change mitigation and boosting environmental functions must now soil carbon stocks. Although hedgerows are be linked to their agroecological widespread throughout the world, there is production functions associated still little data on their contribution to carbon with crops and livestock in farming sequestration, particularly in temperate areas. environments. Recent research in western France (Brittany, Pays de Loire)(1,2) assessed soil carbon stocks in the vicinity of recent (20 year old) and older (40 to 120 year-old) hedgerows. The findings revealed a significant effect of hedgerows on soil carbon stocks in adjacent plots (up to 3 m away). The annual increase in carbon stocks was estimated at between 9 and 13 ‰ in the immediate vicinity of hedgerows, i.e. 2- to 3-fold higher p 15-year-old multistrata hedgerows in the Côtes d’Armor Contacts region (France), composed of chestnut, hazelnut, beech, oak than the 4‰ targeted annual increase Valérie Viaud (SAS, INRAE, France), and hornbeam trees. in soil carbon stocks that could offset valerie.viaud@inrae.fr These hedgerows are planted and managed by the Terres et Bocages human-related CO2 emissions (2). Otherwise, Claudine Thenail (BAGAP, INRAE, France), farmers’ association (http://terresetbocages.org/) in a bocage agroforestry the impact of hedgerows on carbon storage on claudine.thenail@inrae.fr approach, which is based on the integration of hedgerows in a landscape scale was found to be under the agricultural activities while fostering their multifunctionality. © V. Viaud 4‰ objective—in a theoretical landscape For further information consisting of 1 ha square plots, planting (1) Thenail C., Aviron S., Viaud V., hedgerows all around the plots would only boost Guehenneuc T., Menguy C. 2017. annual carbon storage by 1 to 1.5 ‰, which Multi-functional hedgerows in the bocage systems of France. Rejuvenating suggests that such planting should only be viewed a traditional system through farmer-led as a complement to other practices. innovation. AGFORWARD project leaflet. www.agforward.eu/index.php/fr/ Our research—focused on the environmental bocage-agroforestier-bretagne-france. function of hedgerows—is now conducted html?file=files/agforward/documents/ to increasing extent in an interdisciplinary leaflets/09_Multi-functional_hedgerows_ in_thebocage_system_in_France.pdf framework so as to dovetail farmers’ management (2) Viaud V., Kunnemann T., 2021. systems with long-term preservation of multiple Additional soil organic carbon stocks targeted functions (ecological, agronomic), in hedgerows in crop-livestock areas of and with the design of sustainable hedgerow western France. Agriculture Ecosystems and 58 agroforestry systems(1). Yet hedgerows are still Environment, 305. p A 20-year-old hedgerow in Finistère region (France), composed of oak, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107174 hornbeam, hazelnut, chestnut and elder trees. © V. Viaud Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Intercropping fruit trees and field crops in water scarcity conditions for nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient agricultural transformation Intercropping fruit trees and field crops is These results and the research approach provide a traditional practice in Mediterranean and a solid basis for designing and managing dryland regions, yet this practice has been agroforestry systems under water scarcity, disappearing with the advent of agricultural cereals and pulses providing income and mechanization and intensification. However, food during the first unproductive orchard in Europe it is increasingly promoted as a plantation years (3-10 years) while creating For further information component in the agroecological transformation the good conditions for positive field crops (1) Bertrand N., Roux S., Forey O., Guinet M., Wery J., of agrifood systems. Selecting, designing and and trees interactions once the orchard 2018. Simulating plant water stress dynamics in a wide managing the crop-tree combination in has reached maturity. range of bi-specific agrosystems in a region using the line with the prevailing water availability BISWAT model. Eur. J. Agron., 99: 116-128. and product value chain conditions offers (2) Forey O., Metay A., Wery J., 2016. Differential effect of an opportunity for nutrition-sensitive and regulated deficit irrigation on growth and photosynthesis climate-resilient dryland agriculture. Contacts in young peach trees intercropped with grass. Eur. J. Agron., Jacques Wery (Institut Agro, France), 81: 106-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2016.09.006 On-farm assessment, field experiments and jacques.wery@institut-agro.fr (3) Forey O., Temani F., Wery J., Jourdan C., Metay A., 2017. modelling(1) were used to analyze competition Karim Barkaoui (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), Effect of combined deficit irrigation and grass competition at plantation on peach tree root distribution. Eur. J. Agron., and facilitation between crops and trees to k.barkaoui@cirad.fr 91: 16-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2017.08.008 define the conditions required for intercrop Vinay Nangia (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), v.nangia@cgiar.org (4)Temani F., Bouaziz A., Daoui K., Wery J., Barkaoui K., system success when water supplies are scarce. 2021. Olive agroforestry can improve land productivity In Morocco, intercropping barley-faba bean even under low water availability in the South rotations with mature olive trees increased Other authors Mediterranean. Agriculture. Ecosystems and Environment, the total land productivity compared to sole Aurelie Metay, Fida Temani and Oswaldo Forey (ABSYS, 307(Oct. 2020): 107234. cropping, but reduced crop production by 50% Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro, France) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107234 over a water availability gradient. The negative effects of mature trees on the crop vegetative stage was not fully offset by the positive effects during the reproductive phase(4). However, in peach orchards in southern France, when the association was set up at the tree plantation stage with regulated deficit drip irrigation, it was possible to stimulate tree and crop root system separation in different soil horizons, thereby limiting water–nutrient competition while ensuring early leaf and branch growth(2,3). In central India, guava trees planted in pea-mung bean rotation led to a 12.5 kg/tree fruit yield 3 years after plantation, and yield increased with subsequent flowering. Compared to conventional rainfed wheat-soybean rotation, the economic water productivity of the system increased p Experimental intercropped young peach orchards managed with drip regulated deficit irrigation in Montpellier by 41% in the guava/pea-mung bean system. (southern France). © O. Forey 59 p Comparison of olive orchards and barley-faba bean rotation as sole crops or intercropped in Morocco. © F. Temani Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Preserving and restoring soil functioning via agroforestry P roper soil functioning is directly linked take nutrients from deep soil horizons that are to the organic matter content of this inaccessible to crops and cycle them to the substrate, 58% of which is organic surface. The so-called hydraulic lift also facilitates carbon—a food source for a wealth of diverse nocturnal soil water redistribution from wet organisms. This carbon enables recycling and to drier horizons, which is crucial for crops, Contact enhances the supply of essential plant nutrients. especially in drylands. The presence of trees Rémi Cardinael (AIDA, CIRAD, France), Yet a third of the world’s soils are considered in agricultural plots enhances soil biodiversity, remi.cardinael@cirad.fr to be degraded. The 4 per 1000: Soils for including macrofauna (especially earthworms) Food Security and Climate Initiative launched and microfauna, such as mycorrhizae. A recent For further information at COP21 (2015) has highlighted that soils publication by CIRAD and FAO(2) on carbon (1) Cardinael R., Mao Z., Chenu C. Hinsinger P., 2020. are a pivotal element of global challenges. storage in agroforestry systems and its role Belowground functioning of agroforestry systems: recent Various agricultural practices can restore in climate change mitigation has helped the advances and perspectives. Plant Soil, 453:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04633-x soil fertility and functioning, including Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agroforestry, or associations of trees and (IPCC) take this practice into greater account. (2) Cardinael R., Umulisa V., Toudert A., Olivier A., Bockel L., Bernoux M., 2018. Revisiting IPCC Tier 1 coefficients for crops. A recent report by CIRAD and INRAE(1) IRD, CIRAD and INRAE are currently working soil organic and biomass carbon storage in agroforestry provides an updated review on the topic: leaf on the topic, particularly in the framework of systems. Environ. Res. Lett., 13: 124020. litterfall and tree root turnover boost the soil the DSCATT ‘Agricultural intensification and https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aaeb5f carbon content, while tree roots increase the dynamics of soil carbon sequestration’ in tropical • DSCATT Project, Soil carbon sequestration in farming soil porosity, promote water infiltration, and and temperate farming systems project. systems: https://dscatt.net/ p Agroforestry system with hybrid walnut trees and durum wheat, France. © R. Cardinael/CIRAD 60 p Study of soil and root profiles in a 4 m deep pit in an agroforestry system with hybrid walnut trees and durum wheat, France. © R. Cardinael/CIRAD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems How to revive social and economic interest in agroforestry parklands in West Africa? Parklands represent the archetypical agricultural landscape in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Africa. Some trees growing in cultivated and grazed areas are selected and spared during land clearing (crop/fallow rotations) and then utilized for the multiple services they provide. Under suitable demographic thresholds, different types of parklands had been set up in accordance with the prevailing agroecological and socioeconomic contexts. Most of these parklands are now degrading. The causes are complex, multifactorial and contextual. Fallow land is gradually disappearing due to population growth, land pressure and the expansion of crop farming. The increase in tree harvesting and agricultural mechanization impedes tree cover regeneration. Finally, traditional land governance systems that underpinned the management of these parklands have been eroded by socioeconomic changes. p Faidherbia albida parkland in an area inhabited by Serer communities, Senegal. © C. Clermont-Dauphin It would be pointless to try to reverse this should—in a single negotiation process—pool for tree products in which women are trend solely through local technical innovations. all stakeholders, including those with sometimes key actors, consultation on new rules for A system-based multiscale approach seems antagonistic (farmers and herders) or often the governance of these areas, and the necessary to foster the renewal of parklands by overlooked (women and youth) interests, as well promotion of approaches that combine promoting the services provided by trees within as agricultural and forestry technical services and technical innovations and local know-how an agroecological intensification framework(1,2). representatives of customary and administrative to foster appropriation and dissemination. Participatory approaches geared towards authorities. Some promising avenues Assisted natural regeneration approaches have designing viable pathways for change while taking include the joint design of projects to thus now been successfully adopted in several current socioeconomic priorities into account support the development of value chains West African countries. p Women, children and deforestation. Niger. © H.A. Issoufou Contacts For further information Josiane Seghieri (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), (1) Seghieri J., Brouwers J., Bidou J.E., Ingram V., Droy I., josiane.seghieri@ird.fr Bastide B., Sanogo D., 2020. Research and development Jean-Etienne Bidou (LAM, CNRS, France), challenges in scaling innovation: a case study of the LEAP- jean-etienne.bidou@wanadoo.fr Agri RAMSES II project. Agroforestry Systems. doi: 10.1007/s10457-020-00532-3 Isabelle Droy (UMI Résiliences, IRD, France), isabelle.droy@ird.fr (2) Smith M.S., Mbow C., 2014. Editorial overview: sustainability challenges. Agroforestry from the past into Maud Loireau (ESPACE-DEV, IRD, France), the future. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 61 maud.loireau@ird.fr 6:134-137. doi: 10.1016/j.cosust.2013.11.017 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Enhancing the complementarity of crop and livestock farming Promoting cactus pear as a drought resilient multi-purpose crop in low rainfall agrosylvopastoral systems in MENA and South Asia Semi-arid agrosylvopastoral systems are at the farm level. Cactus can make use of characterized by limited or erratic rainfall, marginal lands (so it does not compete with poor soils and high temperatures. Yet these other crops requiring good cropland soil) and Contacts systems—when appropriately managed—have produce livestock forage. However, cactus Mounir Louhaichi (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia), great potential to increase production, diversify should not be grazed directly (cut and carry) or m.louhaichi@cgiar.org income and support rural livelihoods. Under fed alone, it must be mixed with other fiber- and Sawsan Hassan (ICARDA, CGIAR, Jordan), these conditions, certain neglected species, protein-rich feed resources available on farms s.hassan@cgiar.org such as spineless cactus pear (Opuntia ficus- or purchased. In addition, the portfolio included indica L.), which is a promising multipurpose social studies in South Asia to investigate farmers’ For further information species with a Crassulacean acid viewpoints with regard to adapting cactus pear • Acharya P., Biradar C., Louhaichi M., Ghosh S., Moyo H., metabolism, can grow well and help farmers cultivation. It also promoted capacity building on Sarker A., 2019. Finding a suitable niche for cultivating cactus cope with environmental and climatic appropriate agronomic practices for maximizing pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as an integrated crop in resilient variability. Besides its tasty fruit and fodder cactus pear yield and quality, conducting feeding dryland agroecosystems of India. Sustainability, 11: 5897. value, cactus pear plays an important economic trials for better cactus use with locally available https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/10737 role as a subsistence agriculture option with feed resources, and mapping suitable agricultural • Inglese P. et al. (eds), 2017. Crop ecology, cultivation and uses of cactus pear. FAO-ICARDA, Rome. 244 p. minimal agronomic inputs and drought resistance. zonation for cactus pear plantations. An outreach https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/8263 Moreover, it has proven potential to alleviate programme was implemented to boost awareness • Louhaichi M., Kumar S., Tiwari S., Islam M., Hassan S., soil erosion, increase carbon sequestration and and inform decision makers, government officials Yadav O.P., Dayal D., Moyo H.P., Dev R., Sarker A., 2018. minimize livestock watering during hot summers. and farmers beyond the CGIAR sphere of Adoption and utilization of cactus pear in South Asia. influence about the importance of growing cactus Smallholder farmers’ perceptions. Sustainability, 10: 3625. Over a decade ago, ICARDA initiated an ambitious pear as a low-input income generating activity. https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/10737 program in collaboration with NARS, development All of these activities were conducted under the • Louhaichi M., Hassan S., 2021. Cactus pear, a drought- agencies, cactus research networks, NGOs, etc., umbrella of efficient partnership with the national tolerant crop grown by millions of farmers in dry areas for to evaluate the performance of various cactus systems, thereby resulting in attracting the interest nutritional and income generating purposes. Panorama Solutions portal: https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/ pear accessions across different agroecological of more stakeholders and generating further cactus-pear-drought-tolerant-crop-grown-millions-farmers- sites, to conserve and multiply the most adapted demand for cactus pear planting materials. dry-areas-nutritional-and-income ones, and promote cactus pear establishment 62 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Crop-livestock integration from an agroecological perspective Conceptual framework and case study from a cereal-livestock production system in low-rainfall areas of North Africa The agroecological transition of agrifood CLS under CA in the fragile livestock- * CLCA initiative: https://mel.cgiar.org/projects/clca2 systems requires a holistic approach cereal belt of semiarid North Africa. throughout the food system, combining Crop-livestock integration options (CLIOs)(4) Contacts agroecological and socioeconomic interventions. in these dry areas encompass forage inclusion Mourad Rekik (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia), Promoting gradual and contextual agriculture- in cereal rotation systems, crop management m.rekik@cgiar.org animal husbandry integration practices through improvement to enhance grain and straw Aymen Frija (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia), a.frija@cgiar.org resource-oriented and financially viable yield, dual-purpose crops and varieties, forage Véronique Alary (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia), agroecological principles would allow better combinations for livestock, stubble management v.alary@cgiar.org adhesion and transition, especially in small, mixed- for mulching, feed and soil cover crops, herd sized farms where short-term viability prevails. health management, feed alternatives during Other authors the summer gap(1) and mechanization for Zied Idoudi and Mina Devkota (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia In a case study in Algeria and Tunisia, the crop- alternative feed production. Not all CLIOs and Morocco respectively) livestock under conservation agriculture (CLCA) —ranging from pure productivism to conservative initiative* addresses this conceptual dilemma practices—have an agroecological basis. Filtering For further information by promoting conservation agriculture (CA) CLIOs using agroecological attributes and their (1) Abidi S., Ben Youssef S., Ben Salem H., 2021. Foraging under semiarid crop-livestock systems (CLS). short-term impacts on farmer livelihoods is behaviour, digestion and growth performance of CA is not widely accepted because of critical needed for successful agroecological transitioning, sheep grazing on dried vetch pasture cropped under tradeoffs related to biomass and soil resource while channeling agroecological CLIOs through conservation agriculture. Journal of Animal Physiology and use. Crop-livestock farmers experience an existing CLCA initiative delivery systems. Animal Nutrition, 105:51-58. acute shortage of biomass and would therefore Furthermore, some agroecological CLIOs are (2) Bahri H., Annabi M., Cheikh M’Hamed H., Frija A., 2019. rely on grazing crop residues after harvest, relevant at the farm household level, while Assessing the long-term impact of conservation agriculture on wheat-based systems in Tunisia using APSIM simulations hence not adopting stubble retention which others are at the landscape/regional level under a climate change context. Science of The Total is a CA mainstay. Moreover, farmers prefer to —involving more collective action but also wider Environment, 692: 1223-1233. use land for growing wheat, a market secure ecosystem services(3). Hence, interventions (3) Louhaichi M., Slim S., Jilali K., 2020. Field day on commodity, thereby limiting forage space. to strengthen farmers’ organizations may sulla cultivation using a participatory community-based The CLCA initiative promotes smart ensure the successful implementation of approach. Agricultural Research Knowledge, ICARDA. livestock/crop management practices agroecological CLIOs. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/12367 for climate-resilience and integrated (4) Rekik M., Idoudi Z., López Ridaura S., Frija A., 2020. Use of conservation agriculture in crop-livestock systems (CLCA) in the drylands for enhanced water use efficiency, soil fertility and productivity in NEN and LAC Countries. Progress Highlights: Year II - April 2019 to March 2020. ICARDA, Lebanon. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/11022 p Clustering crop-livestock integration options (CLIO’s) based on scale of implementation and resource-orientations. 63 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems OasYs – an agroecological dairy farming system adapted to climate change in Northern Europe Dairy farming, like all agricultural sectors, farming strategy seeks to meet livestock needs to climatic hazards. The system is thus being has to cope with the new challenges of by grazing them on available forage, while limiting evaluated in terms of its production performance, the 21st century, particularly the need unproductive periods and health problems over as well as its environmental and socioeconomic to adapt to climate change while remaining the cow’s milk production lifespan. This has been performance. The initial results are promising: energy efficient and preserving natural resources. achieved by implementing two calving periods the diversity of grazing resources enables The so-called OasYs dairy farming system, in spring and autumn, while extending lactation extension of the grazing period; the based on agroecological principles, has been to 16 months and introducing a three-breed increased fat and protein contents offsets entirely designed in collaboration with multiple rotational crossing (Holstein, Scandinavian Red, the decrease in milk production; and agricultural partners to meet these challenges. Jersiaise). This new system has been tested at under this system 1.5 labor units may be It aims to help Northern European farmers full scale (72 dairy cows, 90 ha) since late 2013 remunerated at a rate equivalent to the earn a living from their dairy farming system, in in Lusignan (Vienne department, France)*. We income of two minimum wage earners a context of climate constraints and hazards, by study the extent to which greater diversity of (2018 data)**. saving water and fossil energy resources, while farming system components and their functions, contributing to sustainable agriculture. The combined with their optimal spatiotemporal forage system is based on year-round grazing, management, could reconcile a high production * Test carried out by the INRAE Fourrages, ruminants et environnement diversified forage resources (including trees) level with high environmental performance, (FERLUS) experimental unit. ** Growth-indexed minimum wage, calculated on the basis of the and widespread use of legumes. The livestock and enhance the resilience of the agrosystem gross hourly minimum wage of €9.88 (2018 value). Contacts Sandra Novak (FERLUS, INRAE, France), sandra.novak@inrae.fr Franck Chargelègue (FERLUS, INRAE, France), franck.chargelegue@inrae.fr Guillaume Audebert (FERLUS, INRAE, France), guillaume.audebert@inrae.fr For further information • Novak S., Audebert G., Chargelègue F., Emile J.-C., 2018. Sécuriser un système laitier avec des fourrages économes en eau et en énergie fossile. Fourrages, 233: 27-34. https://afpf-asso.fr/revue/securiser-son-systeme-d-elevage- avec-des-fourrages-complementaires-meteils-derobees- cruciferes-i?a=2154 • Novak S., Chargelègue F., Chargelègue J., Audebert G., Liagre F., Fichet S., 2020. Premiers retours d’expérience sur les dispositifs agroforestiers intégrés dans le système laitier expérimental OasYs. Fourrages, 242: 71-78. • Novak S., Barre P., Delagarde R., Mahieu S., Niderkorn V., Emile J.C., 2020. Composition chimique et digestibilité in vitro des feuilles d’arbre, d’arbuste et de liane des milieux tempérés en été. Fourrages, 242: 35-47. t OasYs, a diversity-based agroecological dairy farming system adapted to climate change. © S. Novak/FERLUS Evolution in the vulnerability of dairy farms upon conversion to organic farming In the context of the European crisis in (milk productivity allowed by feed resources conventional milk production following produced on the farm, economic efficiency, net the end of the milk quota system, many profitability per worker and independence from conventional farms converted to organic farming. European Common Agricultural Policy subsidies) This raised the issue of farm vulnerability during and farmers’ satisfaction. We used partial least and after the conversion, i.e. the ability of farms squares regressions to relate these vulnerability to respond to the effects of technical, climatic variables to explanatory variables illustrating farm and economic risks. Our objective was to show exposure to climatic and economic variability whether and how dairy farm vulnerability can (e.g. milk prices, daily mean difference between decrease during and after conversion to organic rainfall and evapotranspiration) and changes in farming. In partnership with local chambers of farming practices (e.g. land use, grazing time, feed agriculture and organic farmers’ associations, supplementation level). …cont’d ☞ we surveyed dairy farms in Brittany and Aveyron regions (France) from their last year of conventional production to the first full year of organic production. We considered farm vulnerability as a function of the initial level of and p Portraits of farmers, advisors and researchers 64 trends in farm technical and economic variables involved in the project. © M. Bouttes, A. Mansat Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The results revealed that in most cases organic farming. We conclude that changing converting to organic farming improved farming practices by converting to organic farm economic efficiency, milk productivity farming can be a powerful mechanism for allowed by feed resources produced on the reducing farm vulnerability. farm and profitability per worker. Overall, all farmers were satisfied after organic conversion. Contact All observed conversion strategies were oriented Guillaume Martin (AGIR, INRAE, France), towards pasture-based systems and a reduction guillaume.martin@inrae.fr in land-use and herd-management intensity. Conventional farms based on maize cropping For further information for silage and on feed concentrate purchases • Bouttes M., Bancarel A., Doumayzel S., Viguié S., • Bouttes M., Darnhofer I, Martin G., 2019. Converting changed drastically and benefited most from San Cristobal M., Martin G., 2020. Conversion to organic to organic farming as a way to enhance adaptive capacity. the conversion process, while also showing the farming increases dairy farmers’ satisfaction independently Organic Agriculture, 9: 235-247. greatest decrease in vulnerability. In showing the of the strategies implemented. Agronomy for Sustainable • Bouttes M., Mansat A., Martin G., 2019. Portraits of dairy marked increase in farmers’ satisfaction during Development, 40: 12. farmers in conversion to organic agriculture. the organic conversion process, our results • Bouttes M., Bize N., Maréchal G., Michel G., San www.psdr-occitanie.fr/PSDR4-Occitanie/Le-projet-ATA- strongly contrasted with previous studies that Cristobal M., Martin G., 2020. Conversion to organic RI-accompagnement-de-la-transition-agroecologique/ farming decreases the vulnerability of dairy farms. Productions-operationnelles/Autour-de-la-conversion-a-l- highlighted the multiple risks of converting to Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 39: 19. AB/Temoignages-d-eleveurs-en-conversion-a-l-AB Agroecological dimensions in rice-fish production towards food system adaptability R ice and fish are preferred foods, critical rice field fisheries that rely on natural processes the Green Revolution in Bangladesh, Cambodia, for healthy and nutritious diets, while prevail in up to 80% of rice-growing areas and Vietnam and Myanmar showed that integrated providing the foundations of local and include at least 150 aquatic species, whereas production practices continue to fulfil a range national economies across Asia. Agriculture and more input- and infrastructure-dependent rice- of objectives to varying degrees, including: food aquaculture over the past half-century have shrimp culture is increasingly popular in rice- and nutrition security, diversified livelihoods, increasingly become intensified monocultures growing areas of Vietnam. A novel typology higher income and biodiversity conservation(1). solely focused on increasing rice and fish differentiates integrated production practices We recommend regional policy shifts that production. However, agroecological approaches by the nature and degree of application of recognize and support diverse, place-based that support biodiversity and utilize natural agroecological principles (e.g. recycling, input and agroecological approaches to food processes can contribute to the transformation reduction, biodiversity, synergy and natural production. Successful implementation of these of food systems with more inclusive, nutrition- resource governance) applied to: (i) fish stocking; policy shifts should accelerate progress towards sensitive and ecologically sound outcomes. Rice (ii) water management; (iii) use of synthetic achieving SDG 2 – Zero Hunger by ensuring and fish production are frequently integrated inputs; and (iv) institutions that control access ecosystem maintenance, sustainable food within the same physical, temporal, and social to fish (Figure). A review of how integrated rice- production and resilient agricultural practices spaces, with variations in terms of production fish production practices have evolved in line with a capacity to adapt to global change. practices and their prevalence. In Cambodia, with changes to food systems associated with Contacts Sarah Freed (WorldFish, CGIAR, Cambodia), s.freed@cgiar.org Matthew McCartney (IWMI, CGIAR, Sri Lanka), m.mccartney@cgiar.org Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor University, UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org For further information (1) Freed S., Barman B., Dubois M., Flor R., Funge-Smith S., Gregory R., Hadi B., Halwart M., Haque M., Jagadish K., Joffre O., Karim M., Kura Y., McCartney M., Mondal M., Nguyen V.K., Sinclair F., Stuart A.M., Tezzo X., Yadav S., Cohen P.J., 2020. Maintaining diversity of integrated rice and fish production confers adaptability of food systems to global change. Front. Sustain. Food Syst, 4:576179. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.576179 p Typology of rice-fish production practices. A. Illustrations and photos that depict each of four exemplars (3–6) and their monoculture reference points (1,2). B. Types distinguished by use of agroecological attributes along a continuum of (high to low) control and substitution of natural processes. *May include some naturally present. **May include some stocking. 65 ^Water control is low during monsoon season and fish production, but irrigation is used during dry season for rice cultivation. ×May include privatization of fish remaining in ponds within rice fields after flood recession. ××Commons for small wild fish harvest, contractual shared access for cultured and wild fish. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning landscapes Landscape levers to enhance natural pest control services in France The natural pest control service stems monitoring while explicitly taking the properties when seminatural habitats are abundant, from trophic interactions between often of the landscape surrounding monitored plots when the annual crops are more diversified mobile organisms in the landscape. The into account. Data collected on 120 annual or when there is a higher proportion of intensity of this control in a plot at a given and perennial crop plots located in five French organic farming in the landscape. These time depends on local management initiatives, regions over several years on different types of impacts tend to be greater when pesticide as well as those carried out in other parts of pests (sentinel prey) have highlighted a generic treatments in the target plot are limited. the agricultural area over the same period or effect of landscape levers on observed control In the light of these results, scenarios of practical on different time scales. Levers for boosting levels. The analyses have also revealed that the changes at the landscape level are currently being this service must therefore be considered at impacts of these landscape levers vary developed with stakeholders in each studied several spatiotemporal scales. This principle depending on the agricultural management area. They will be used to determine landscape has underpinned research on the pest control strategy implemented in the monitored management options that could enhance natural service since 2014 in France, involving long-term plot. The control service is more efficient pest control. Contact Sandrine Petit (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), sandrine.petit-michaut@inrae.fr For further information • Petit S., Muneret L., Carbonne B., Hannachi M., Ricci B., Rusch A., Lavigne C., 2020. Landscape-scale expansion of agroecology to enhance natural pest control: a systematic review. Advances in Ecological Research, 63. p Landscapes. © INRAE https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aecr.2020.09.001 t Lepidoptera egg sentinel prey on wheat. • Ricci B., Lavigne C., Alignier A., Aviron S., Biju-Duval © INRAE Bouvier J. C., Choisis J.-P., Franck P., Joannon A., Ladet S., t Poecilus cupreus beetle preying on aphids. Mezerette F., Plantegenest M., Savary G., Thomas C., © INRAE Vialatte A., Petit S., 2019. Local pesticide use intensity conditions landscape effects on biological pest control. Proc. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci., 286. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.2898 • Sebiopag national network (Réseau pour l’étude des services écosystémiques assurés par la biodiversité dans les paysages agricoles): https://sebiopag.inrae.fr Leveraging ecological processes and knowledge to recover banana production in BBTD-affected areas in sub-Saharan Africa Guidelines and new scientific challenges Rural communities in 14 sub-Saharan African countries are abandoning banana production due to banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) caused by the BBTV virus. BBTD is efficiently transmitted by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) and spreads in asymptomatic infected suckers. No sources of resistance are known for potential use in cultivar substitution or breeding. However, the well- documented ecology of banana aphids provided a Contacts production in banana bunchy top-affected areas in sub- Saharan Africa: developing gender-responsive approaches. starting point to test an agroecological approach Aman Omondi (Alliance of Bioversity International and Acta Horticulturae, 1196: 219-228. to recover banana production lost to BBTD. CIAT, Benin), b.a.omondi@cgiar.org First, aphids feed almost exclusively on banana Marie-Line Iskra-Caruana (DGD-RS, Office of the Director • Lepoint P., 2016. Recovering banana production in BBTD General in charge of Research and Strategy, CIRAD, affected areas: Strengthening cross-site learning tools in mats, suggesting that area-wide mat eradication France), marie-line.caruana@cirad.fr epidemiology, gender and social relations, and participatory for 2-3 months where BBTD is present could experimentation approaches. CGIAR Research Program C. Staver (Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico), minimize local sources of new infection. Second, on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB). RTB End of Project stavercp.ecolint@gmail.com the use of BBTV-free planting material would Workshop Report 2016. Lima: CGIAR. avoid the introduction of new infections. Third, • Omondi B.A., Soko M.M., Nduwimana I. et al., 2020. The aphid movement sharply falls from 50-100 m, so For further information effectiveness of consistent roguing in managing banana a banana-free buffer zone of this width around • Ajambo S., Rietveld A., Nkengla L.W., Omondi B.A., bunchy top disease in smallholder production in Africa. Niyongere C., Dhed’a B.D. et al., 2018. Recovering banana Plant Patholology, 1754-176600:1-13. fields to replant would minimize aphid invasions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ ppa.1325 …cont’d 66 ☞ Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Since 2014, scientists from Bioversity infection rates, increased banana yields and more for seed cultivar diversity; and (iv) rigorous early International and IITA (CGIAR centers), CIRAD, BBTD-free suckers; (ii) community and household detection of initial BBTD symptoms and roguing and national institutes in 8 sub-Saharan countries engagement—both men and women and different in replanted fields contributed to very low have worked with pilot communities on three generations—and understanding of ecological disease levels and availability of low-risk suckers banana systems—perennial gardens and rotations management led to more effective peer pressure, for further planting. Further studies are needed with bush fallow or forest fallow with over more rigorous monitoring and more effective on early symptom expression and detection in 50 different cultivars in cultivation. Four results BBTD control; (iii) different seed production local cultivars, ecological intensification strategies for application in banana recovery projects have options—tissue culture and macropropagation for greater productivity to support the field emerged to serve as guidelines: (i) rigorous with virus-free source material, sucker sourcing recovery process and landscape diversity to implementation of the complete banana aphid from BBTD-free areas and from recovered fields boost the effectiveness of buffer zones and curb ecology-based model led to reduced field re- were useful to address the community demand BBTD and aphid build-up. p The incidence (%) of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) increased from 2% to total plot infestation in 3 years in an unmanaged experimental field (Fig A). Under farmer cooperative roguing, an initial disease rate of 5% was reduced and maintained below 2% for 3 years (Fig. B). Source: Omondi et al. (2020) Characterizing landscape and diversity of food systems in Myanmar to analyze trade-offs and guide the agrifood system transition Economic growth, land-use and livelihoods In collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Farmers cultivated up to 31 different species, form a close-knit nexus. Myanmar—with Development and Cooperation, we characterized thereby exemplifying potential diversification 28.5 million ha of forest, representing the food system landscape and diversity, analyzed opportunities. Most farmers identified food approximately 42% of its total land area— synergies among ecosystem functions, and provision (food-61%, medicinal-20%, livestock-3%) is one of the largest countries in Southeast developed pathways for food system transition. as a major ecosystem benefit, yet they also Asia untapped for agricultural intensification. We monitored a watershed to gain insight into listed cultural (9%), and regulating (5%) With agriculture and agroforestry practices as the cropping intensity, land cover, proximity to services. Substantial food was sourced from dominant livelihood activities among smallholder trees, and community perceptions on ecosystem trees. Achieving greater diversification within farmers, the country is at a crossroads of services. Maps (covering ~ 339 ha) highlighting agrifood systems will require changes across land-use transition, agricultural intensification the proximity of crop production areas to trees value chains, supported by novel institutional and environmental degradation. While many showed that 13%, 25%, 49% and 89% of the arrangements and policies. This will enable countries have lost significant forest areas and area came within a proximity zone of 5, 10, 20, Myanmar to increase the resilience of biodiversity, Myanmar could achieve a balance and 50 m, respectively. The cropping intensity its farming communities. Taken together, between human and ecosystem wellbeing by (138%, mainly based on cereal, oilseed and this assessment provides a framework to adopting an agroecological approach to guide the vegetable crops) was low in 2019-2020. However, guide decisions on diversification towards agrifood system transition. a survey of 210 farmers highlighted 13 functional a successful agroecological transition in plant groups and six functional groups of Myanmar. animal species that farmers deemed beneficial. Contacts Sudhir Yadav (IRRI, CGIAR, Philippines), s.yadav@irri.org Rica Joy Flor (IRRI, CGIAR, Cambodia), r.flor@irri.org Arnel Rala (IRRI, CGIAR, Philippines), a.rala@irri.org Other authors Amy Thein and Jon Hellin (IRRI, CGIAR, Myanmar and Philippines respectively) Delia Catacutan (ICRAF, CGIAR, Philippines) For further information • FAO, 2018. The 10 Elements of agroecology guiding the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems. Food p Maps showing the proximity (20 m) of production and Agriculture Organization, Rome. areas to trees/shrubs (20 m) in an irrigation scheme • MOALI, 2018. Myanmar agriculture development strategy 67 and highlighting various potential benefits of and investment plan 2018-2023. Ministry of Agriculture, combined tree-crop systems. Livestock and Irrigation, Nay Pyi Daw. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Enhanced collective management of ecosystem services in semi-natural parts of rural landscapes in southern France The DYNAFOR interdisciplinary joint indirect effects on yields. These indirect Contactsresearch unit—through studies effects of conventional farming practices Marc Deconchat (DYNAFOR, INRAE, France), conducted over several decades in on yields may reduce the direct beneficial marc.deconchat@inrae.fr the Coteaux de Gascogne region (ZA PYGAR, effects by half. Moreover, the measured Aude Vialatte (DYNAFOR, INRAE, France), Pyrénées-Garonne, France)—has highlighted biodiversity did not solely depend on aude.vialatte@inrae.fr some key roles of semi-natural spaces (hedges, practices applied in the plot, but also on woods, permanent grasslands, etc.) and of the the landscape spatial organization. It has Other authors diverse range of crops on biodiversity in farming favored by the proportion of semi-natural Cécile Barnaud, Annie Ouin, David Sheeren, landscapes. Some of this so-called ‘beneficial’ habitats, reduced plot size and greater Diane Esquerré and Clélia Sirami (DYNAFOR, France) biodiversity also provides services to farmers, crop diversity. For further information such as pest control and pollination. • Barnaud C., Corbera E., Muradian R., Salliou N., Sirami C., Collective supervision of crop rotations and Vialatte A., Choisis J.P., Dendoncker N., Mathevet R., The direct and indirect impacts of intensive semi-natural areas could enhance management Moreau C., Reyes-García V., Boada M., Deconchat M., Cibien C., Garnier S., Maneja R., Antona M., 2018. Ecosystem conventional agricultural practices and the of these factors and ecosystem services that services, social interdependencies, and collective action: a landscape setting on several biodiversity can be harnessed for agroecological production. conceptual framework. Ecology and Society, 23. indicators and ecosystem services (biological This requires collaborative processes between • Duflot R., San-Cristobal M., Andrieu E., Choisis J.-P., control, pollination), as well as on crop yield, operators who shape these landscapes. Social Esquerré D., Ladet L., Ouin A., Rivers-Moore J., Sheeren D., were recently analyzed in 54 field crop plots. science research is under way in partnership with Sirami C., Fauvel M., Vialatte A., (submitted). Indirect negative While pesticide use and tillage directly bolstered these stakeholders to identify the barriers and effects of conventional farming practices on crop yields yields, they were found to have negative impacts levers of such processes. Remote sensing tools highlight the value of nature-based solutions. Ecological Applications. on biodiversity and ecosystem services measured also generate very useful data at these extended in these plots, thereby resulting in negative organizational levels. • Sirami C., Gross N., Baillod A.B., et al., 2019. Increasing crop heterogeneity enhances multitrophic diversity across t Agricultural landscapes in the Vallées et Coteaux de agricultural regions. PNAS, 116: 16442-16447. Gascogne region (ZA PYGAR) are made up of a mosaic of • Vialatte A., Barnaud C., Blanco J., Ouin A., Choisis J.-P., field crops, meadows, hedges and small forests. Andrieu E., Sheeren D., Ladet S., Deconchat M., Clément F., The topography dictates a landscape gradient ranging from valleys Esquerré D., Sirami C., 2019. A conceptual framework with the largest plots to hillsides with smaller plots more associated for the governance of multiple ecosystem services in with woods and permanent grasslands. agricultural landscapes. Landscape Ecology, 34: 1653-1673. p Semi-experimental methods were used to assess levels of biological pest control and pollination in agricultural plots —(a) predation maps and (b) phytometers—related to the agricultural practices carried out on these plots and the landscape setting. Workshops were organized with farmers and farm advisors on the issue of landscape organization (plot size, crop diversity, grasslands and semi-natural habitats) and the impacts in terms of ecosystem services (c). © DYNAFOR Exclosures for landscape restoration in Ethiopia R estoring degraded ecosystems by located downslope of exclosures (Photo Balancing immediate short-term economic setting up exclosures is an increasingly next page), thereby helping boost agricultural losses with longer-term economic and common practice in the Ethiopian productivity over the medium to long term. environmental gains is a challenge for Highlands. Exclosures are communal areas that Overall, due to the cumulative benefits of many agroecological activities. The adoption were traditionally ‘open access’, but where wood exclosures in an agroecological setting, of a business model approach whereby potential cutting, grazing and other agricultural activities they can contribute to both environmental economic opportunities are identified to enhance are now forbidden or strictly limited to promote and community resilience by strengthening the immediate benefits of exclosures (e.g. by restoration and natural regeneration (Photo next agricultural production at landscape levels*. integrating beekeeping, livestock fattening, etc.) page). The overall area covered by exclosures The major agroecological transition fostered by could be effective in bridging the gap between is currently increasing by 2%/year and could setting up exclosures in degraded ecosystems is landscape restoration and ecosystem services in reach 5-7 million ha by the early 2030s. Similar the shift from a free grazing system (i.e. natural) the long term and local economic losses in the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands has been to a cut-and-carry system (i.e. knowledge/labor short term. …cont’d ☞ fostered by establishing exclosures in in different intensive agroecological system). parts of Africa and Asia. This trend in exclosure expansion is attributable to their many benefits: Although beneficial in the long term and at restoring degraded landscapes, increasing carbon landscape scales, exclosures hamper poor sequestration, and improving other ecosystem households and communities from continuing services. This can provide opportunities for their existing activities, including livestock grazing, livelihood diversification, and thus enhancement, and the loss of short-term economic benefits decrease soil erosion and seed loss in farmlands hence puts the success of exclosures at risk. 68 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Initiatives that boost revenue flow to smallholder Contacts farmers managing exclosures (e.g. mobilizing Wolde Mekuria (IWMI, CGIAR, Ethiopia), financial resources for purchasing inputs and w.bori@cgiar.org meaningful local community participation), and Matthew McCartney (IWMI, CGIAR, Ethiopia), ensure the sustainability of small-scale businesses m.mccartney@cgiar.org (e.g. regular follow-up and technical support; facilitating market opportunities in the value For further information chain) are critical for the success of this approach. • HLPE, 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on * As defined by the HLPE (2019), exclosures pertain primarily to World Food Security, Rome. agroecological principles 3-7 (i.e. soil health, animal health, biodiversity, synergy and livelihood diversification), but importantly they also • Mekuria W., Gebregziabher G., Lefore N., 2020. Exclosures for landscape restoration in Ethiopia: business model scenarios and pertain to principles 8 (co-creation of knowledge) and 12 (land and suitability. IWMI, Colombo, 62 p. (IWMI Research Report 175). https://doi.org/10.5337/2020.201 natural resource governance). p Exclosure-based landscape restoration—the vegetated upper slope represents exclosures. © W. Mekuria Silvopastoral systems for restoring ecosystem services and improving livelihoods in Amazonian landscapes (case of Colombia) The Amazon is one of the world’s richest regions in plant and animal species, yet fast changes in land use have led to the degradation of important ecosystem services. The main challenge in the Amazon landscape is how to generate opportunities for sustainable development that contribute to food security and wellbeing, while safeguarding the natural capital that is required to sustainably manage deforested landscapes. The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT has led the establishment of silvopastoral systems (SPS), codesigned with farmers, combining scientific and local knowledge, and farmers’ assets, needs and preferences. SPS implementation helps improve land productivity and fertilizer use efficiency, while releasing land area for conservation and restoration. …cont’d ☞ 69 p Sustainable Amazonian production system. © N. Palmer Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems SPS improve resilience by promoting agricultural practices(1,2). By validating SPS on the ground crop diversification using local crop and forage and assessing the potential of SPS to deliver For further information varieties and increasing water availability at the multiple benefits, the findings of these studies (1) Aynekulu E., Suber M., van Noordwijk M., Arango J., Roshetko J.M., Rosenstock T.S., 2020. Carbon storage regional level, which contributes to reducing have contributed to public and international potential of silvopastoral systems of Colombia. Land, 9(9): vulnerability to eventual extreme climatic cooperation initiatives (e.g. NAMA*, NAPA*, 309. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9090309 events. Moreover, improved forage-based NDC*, Sustainable Bovine Livestock Policy) aimed (2) Landholm D., Pradhan P., Wegmann P., Romero M., SPS stimulate soil macrofauna and biogenic at enhancing the sustainable use of deforested Suárez J., Kropp J., 2019. Reducing deforestation and soil macroaggregation while contributing to areas in the Amazon while reducing pressure improving livestock productivity: greenhouse gas mitigation biodiversity conservation(3,4). on forests, GHG emissions and improving potential of silvopastoral systems in Caquetá. Environ. Res. smallholder resilience and livelihoods. Lett., 14(2019): 114007. SPS has proven to improve socioeconomic https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab3db6 indicators at the farm level by increasing *Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions, National Adaptation (3) Rodriguez L., Suárez J.C., Pulleman M., Guaca L., Programmes of Action, Nationally Determined Contributions. Rico A., Romero M., Quintero M., Lavelle P., 2021. milk production by up to 20%, resulting Agroforestry systems in the Colombian Amazon improve in a 1 to 1.31 increase in the cost-benefit the provision of soil ecosystem services. Applied Soil ratio compared to traditional grazing. Even Contacts Ecology, 164: 103933 with moderate tree planting densities, the https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2021.103933 Miguel Romero (Alliance of Bioversity International and carbon sequestration potential of SPS was CIAT, CGIAR, Colombia), m.a.romero@cgiar.org (4)Vazquez E., Teutscherova N., Lojka B., Arango J., estimated at 5.8 Mg CO ha-1 yr-1 which, in Pulleman M., 2020. Pasture diversification affects soil 2 Jacobo Arango (Alliance of Bioversity International and addition to the reduction of enteric methane macrofauna and soil biophysical properties in tropical CIAT, CGIAR, Colombia), j.arango@cgiar.org (silvo)pastoral systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & emissions, can mitigate GHG emissions by Marcela Quintero (Alliance of Bioversity International and Environment, 302: 107083. 2.6 Mg CO −1 −12e ha yr compared to current CIAT, CGIAR, Colombia), m.quintero@cgiar.org https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107083 Greening marginal agrosylvopastoral drylands in the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa R ecurrent droughts and unsustainable individual farm-level focus to an integrated resting periods, and facilitated successions of natural resource management practices landscape-farming systems approach, while key choice species. The combined measures accelerate land degradation and desert fostering changes in local perceptions and reduce agricultural input use and increase livestock/ encroachment in vulnerable dry agroecological ecosystem service value appreciation. soil health and biodiversity. They also generally areas. Middle East, North Africa and the Horn In a watershed approach, multiple floodwater enhance local farmers’ knowledge and ability to of Africa are among the most affected regions, harvesting interventions are conducted to: earn income from resilient and diverse ecosystem and projected climate change patterns will likely (i) intercept excess (flood) water for in situ services. Community involvement and governance worsen the situation through increased heat storage in water-stressed soils, thereby boosting are key to sustain ongoing rehabilitation stress and prolonged dryness. Meanwhile, native and cultivated vegetation growth; and interventions. The socioecological conditions erratic extreme rainfall and subsequent flooding (ii) mitigate land degradation on-site and in largely differ across areas potentially suitable for may occur more frequently, which could downstream areas. Community-based upland- community-based watershed approaches. Current further aggravate the conditions but also be watershed rehabilitation strategies through ex ante scaling procedures provide knowledge a potential driver of solutions in the dryland mechanized micro water harvesting(2)* and the on the potential implementation scale/impact degradation context. establishment of well adapted species through the technology might achieve across landscapes. reseeding and/or shrub transplantation enhance This can in turn foster discussion among relevant ICARDA, in collaboration with international land cover, productivity and resilience. Local stakeholders towards strengthening community- and national partners and target dryland downstream floodwater-irrigated agriculture, or based concepts for enhanced local benefits, communities, developed agrosylvopastoral so-called marabs, is well-integrated in community- while combating desertification via greening vast watershed rehabilitation and sustainable based watershed management and enhances vulnerable dryland buffer zones. management packages that capitalize on the cereal/legume production while generating dry * See: https://qcat.wocat.net/en/wocat/technologies/view/ upsides of the overall threatening conditions to livestock feed. Upland management revives technologies_5860/ foster agroecological transition. Community- traditional grazing systems involving herd mobility Contacts based interventions bridge scales from an and accounting for vegetation physiological stages, Stefan Strohmeier (ICARDA, CGIAR, Jordan), s.strohmeier@cgiar.org Mounir Louhaichi (ICARDA, CGIAR, Tunisia), m.louhaichi@cgiar.org Mira Haddad (ICARDA, CGIAR, Jordan), m.haddad@cgiar.org For further information (1) Sarcinella M., Strohmeier S., Haddad M., Yamamoto S., Evett S., Sterk G., 2020. Suitability of arid land rehabilitation technologies: simulation of water harvesting based solutions in Middle Eastern agro-pastures. Third Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geoscience (CAJG). Sousse, Tunisia, Nov 2-5, 2020 (Proceedings in print). (2) Strohmeier S., Fukai S., Haddad M., Al Nsour M., Mudabber M., Akimoto K., Yamamoto S., Evett S., Oweis T., 2021. Rehabilitation of degraded rangelands in Jordan: the effects of mechanized micro water harvesting on hill-slope scale soil water and vegetation dynamics. Journal of Arid Environments, 185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104338 (3) Slim S., Louhaichi M., Gamoun M., Ates S., Hassan S., Ben Romdhane O., Ouled Belgacem A., 2021. Assessment of soil surface scarification and reseeding with sulla 70 (Hedysarum coronarium L.) of degraded Mediterranean p Community-based management (livestock grazing) of rehabilitated agrosylvopastoral areas at the ICARDA semi-arid rangelands. African Journal of Range & Forage Badia Research Site (BRS) in the vicinity of Al-Majidyya village (Jordan). Science. www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/10220119. © K. Ibrahim Al Masardeh, from the Al-Majidyya community 2020.1838608 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building resilience through ecosystem services Transition to biodiversified agroecosystems From process analysis to multiscale codesign with stakeholders Functional plant biodiversity could be to be key levers for maximizing services. The enhance learning and joint knowledge production, a way to enhance the agroecological quality of these services also depended on the and ultimately to give farmers more freedom transition of agroecosystems in tropical long-term effects when plant biodiversity was in these adaptive approaches. At the regional regions. A group of researchers studied the introduced in rotations (e.g. weed control). level, stakeholders having an influence on the effectiveness of mobilizing and managing this A generic analysis framework was drawn conditions required for implementing these biodiversity at different sites encompassing a up to systemically unravel the direct or changes have been involved in co-innovation broad range of conditions and types of systems*. indirect impacts of plant biodiversity on platforms. The aim is to give farmers more say The holistic approach developed has led agrosystem functioning and ultimately on and to ensure that all institutional actors are to the identification and hierarchical ecosystem service provision. aware of their potential role in the transition ranking of the main mechanisms linking process. Economic (for their market links) biodiversity and ecosystem services. At the village community level, farmers and political (for their policymaking weight) The recycling function was thereby identified should be supported in implementing specific stakeholders are crucial in facilitating farmers’ as predominant with regard to complex design/adaptation mechanisms to modify adoption of biodiversified agroecological systems. agroforestry systems on relatively poor soils their systems in favor of biodiversification. in Cameroon, whereas pest control prevailed Participatory experimental approaches have * STRADIV project, System approach for the transition to bio-diversified agroecosystems: www.agropolis-fondation.fr/STRADIV on rich Andosols in Central America. The plot been developed—sometimes using facilitation spatial organization and biodiversity were found tools (foresight analysis, serious games)—to Contact Éric Scopel (AIDA, CIRAD, France), eric.scopel@cirad.fr For further information • Andreotti F., Speelman E.N., Van den Meersche K., Allinne C., 2020. Combining participatory games and backcasting to support collective scenario evaluation: an action research approach for sustainable agroforestry landscape management. Sustainability Science, 15(5): 1383- 1399. • Resque A.G., Coudel E., Piketty M.G., Cialdella N., Sá T., Piraux M., ..., Le Page C., 2019. Agrobiodiversity and public food procurement programs in Brazil: influence of local stakeholders in configuring green mediated markets. Sustainability, 11(5): 1425. • Sauvadet M., den Meersche K.V., Allinne C., Gay F., de Melo Virginio Filho E., Chauvat M., Becquer T., Tixier P., Harmand J.-M., 2019. Shade trees have higher impact on soil nutrient availability and food web in organic than conventional coffee agroforestry. Science of the Total Environment, 649: 1065-1074. p Rotational rainfed rice cropping systems under legume cover (Stylosanthes guianensis) in Madagascar. © E. Scopel The challenge of codesigning technically sound and polyefficient agroecosystems Agroecosystem design (AED) currently has to take up the triple challenge of diversification, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food security(1), while accounting for: (i) the multiple processes supporting ecosystem services (ES) at different scales—from field to landscape; and (ii) the diverse range of people involved— from farmers to regional stakeholders(2). Such complexification calls for key paradigm changes in the way the R&D sector has been working so far. …cont’d ☞ 71 u @ S. Saj/CIRAD u @ Nijmeijer/CIRAD u @ Notaro/CIRAD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems AED should be systematically built on the voids, increased difficulty in conducting Contacts characterization of biophysical processes, fieldwork, or risk handling and social pressure(4). Stéphane Saj (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), with a focus on their interactions at relevant Step-by-step, R&D is striving to tackle these stephane.saj@cirad.fr scales, e.g. product types and quantities, pest lock-ins and open the way to inclusive local Julien Demenois (AIDA, CIRAD, France), and disease regulation, and nutrient cycling. knowledge, (co)innovation support and on-field julien.demenois@cirad.fr Moreover, AED also should account for experimental setup. This involves rethinking both management processes at field and farm agroecosystem modeling and its integration at For further information scales, e.g. available time, space and money, field multiple scales, while developing new multicriteria (1) Saj S., Torquebiau E., Hainzelin E., Pages J., Maraux F., techniques, end-product types and qualities and assessment approaches. Such approaches are 2017. The way forward: an agroecological perspective their links to value chains. Integrating this data currently being implemented in a wide range of for climate-smart agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & constitutes a wager and often a lock-in that projects*. Environment, 250: 20-24. hampers optimum sustainable use of available (2) Corbeels M., Cardinael R., Naudin K., Guibert H., resources (biophysical or managerial). Yet such *Projects Torquebiau E., 2019. The 4 per 1000 goal and soil carbon COCOA4FUTURE, Putting people and the environment back at the storage under agroforestry and conservation agriculture characterizations—beyond their complexity— heart of cocoa growing: www.cirad.fr/en/news/all-news-items/press- systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Soil and Tillage Research, 188: very often underline trade-offs between releases/2021/cocoa-growing-agroforestry-west-africa 16-26. these processes(3). These trade-offs should DSCATT, Agricultural intensification and dynamics of soil carbon sequestration in tropical and temperate agricultural systems: (3) Andreotti F., Mao Z., Jagoret P., Speelman E.N., systematically be discussed with stakeholders https://dscatt.net/ Gary C., Saj S., 2018. Exploring management strategies to and, when agroecological management initiatives BOOST, Collaborative platform on agroecological transition: enhance the provision of ecosystem services in complex www.boost-ae.net/en/1/home.html are implemented, stakeholders’ goals and FAIR, L’intensification agroécologique pour la résilience des exploitations smallholder agroforestry systems. Ecological Indicators, 94: perceptions of sustainable/ecofriendly dans le Sahel: www.fair-sahel.org/ 257-265. another set STRADIV, System approach for the transition to biodiversified agricultural management reveal (4) Demenois J., Torquebiau E., Arnoult M.H., Eglin T., agrosystems: https://stradiv.cirad.fr/ of lock-ins. For instance, when implementing Masse D., Assouma M.H., Blanfort V., Chenu C., Chapuis-ASSET, Agroecology and safe food system transitions in Southeast practices to boost soil carbon sequestration, it Asia: https://ur-aida.cirad.fr/en/our-research/research-projects-and- Lardy L., Medoc J.-M., Sall S.N., 2020. Barriers and expertises/asset strategies to boost soil carbon sequestration in agriculture. is essential to address challenges like knowledge Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4. Promises and limits of agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa An illustration in the Hautes Terres region of Madagascar There are three recognized ways of or not at all impacted by the Green Revolution. activities—in order to have an impact in the best-greening agriculture. Agroecology ‘of Finally, integral agroecology, i.e. systemic and off family farms. Yet these innovations will not practices’ aims to transform ‘conventional’ territorial, is more political and advocates be sufficient unless accompanied by economic systems but without affecting agrifood system a break with industrialization while striving to diversification within the the region. In the Moyen governance or the priority of maximizing optimize a set of services in a balanced system. Ouest du Vakinankaratra, i.e. a less saturated region, volumes and profits. Ecological intensification of The prospects of these different approaches agricultural development is hampered by the lack of practices concerns systems that have been barely are presented with regard to their application elementary services, in quantity and quality (health, in the Hautes Terres region education, roads, market equipment and, above all, of Madagascar. Despite security). Technical responses are therefore the real potential for ineffective levers. Structural bottlenecks development, agricultural stand in the way of positive change without policies focused on massive and coordinated public action at conventional intensification the farm, sectorial and territorial levels. (widely promoted) or on Agroecological strategies must therefore be ecological intensification of integral, jointly oriented towards systemic farming practices have had and territorial approaches. Technical solutions little impact in this region. will only be able to offer real leverage to families in the Hautes Terres region when a favorable The Analamanga, Itasy and socioeconomic environment prevails. Vakinankaratra regions of Madagascar hosted more than 800,000 farms Contacts in 2018, compared to Jean-Michel Sourisseau (ART-DEV, CIRAD, France), 540,000 in 2005. This jean-michel.sourisseau@cirad.fr led to an almost twofold Tahina Raharison (Professionnels de l’agroécologie, GSDM decrease in the average size Madagascar, Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro, France), of family farms (currently tahinarison@yahoo.fr less than 1 ha). Resources Other authors and production capacities are so limited that Jean-François Bélières (ART-DEV, CIRAD-FOFIFA, Madagascar) agricultural innovations in the form of simple technical Paulo Salgado (SELMET, CIRAD, Senegal) packages have little impact. For further information Innovations must apply to the overall and yet • Sourisseau J.-M., Bélières J.-F., Marzin J., Salgado P., Maraux F., 2019. The drivers of agroecology in sub-Saharan quite diversified activity Africa: an illustration from the Malagasy Highlands. In Côte system—including off-farm F.-X. et al. (eds): The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. Ed. Quae, Versailles: 179-197. www.quae-open.com/produit/114/9782759230570/the- agroecological-transition-of-agricultural-systems-in-the- global-south • Rakotoarisoa J., Bélières J.F., Salgado P., 2016. Intensification agricole à Madagascar : politiques publiques et trajectoires 72 d’exploitations agricoles du Vakinankaratra. Summary report. p Along the road. © V. Lebourgeois/CIRAD CIRAD-FOFIFA, Antananarivo, 135 p. https://agritrop.cirad.fr/583105/ Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Agroecological practices that benefit society and farmers An example in Itasy region, Madagascar p A rural landscape in Madagascar: crop and livestock farming. Imerintsiatosika, Itasy region, Madagascar. © T. Chevallier/IRD R ural development projects should be TropiC Farm Tool and the EX-Ante Carbon- Contactsassessed before large-scale farmer balance Tool. GHG emissions were reduced Narindra Rakotovao (Université d’Antananarivo, involvement. Scant data are available under both scenarios compared to baseline: Madagascar), nanaharisoa2@yahoo.fr in African countries on the sustainability of -5.2 to -13.6 tCO eq farm- 12 year - 1 for Tiphaine Chevallier (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), farming systems to produce food, enhance scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. The tiphaine.chevallier@ird.fr smallholder incomes, and reduce greenhouse amount of carbon saved per euro invested Tantely Razafimbelo (Université d’Antananarivo, gas (GHG) emissions. This study* was based on was estimated at -0.25 tCO2eq euro - 1 Madagascar), tantely.razafimbelo@gmail.com a rural development project in Madagascar that and -0.41 tCO - 12eq euro (or 4 to Other authors promoted agroecological practices—agroforestry, 2.5 euros tCO -12eq ) under scenarios 1 compost and systems of rice intensification and 2. Agricultural production and Lydie Chapuis-Lardy and Alain Albrecht (Eco&Sols, IRD, France) (SRI). The potential benefits of the project were farmers’ cash flow increased over the quantified by three indicators: GHG balance, course of 20 years. This study highlighted Sylvain Deffontaines (Agrisud International, Madagascar) economic benefits to farmers and effectiveness the potential of agroecological practices to Syndhia Mathe (Innovation, CIRAD, France) of economic GHG mitigation investments. These improve the productivity and profitability of Mamonjiniaina Andriamirajo Ramarofidy, Tsifera Henintsoa indicators were projected over a 20-year period smallholder farming systems, while contributing Rakotoniamonjy and Adrien Lepage (Agrisud International, Madagascar) according to three scenarios, i.e. two that differed to climate change mitigation. The findings should in terms of two agroecological practice adoption fuel current international discussions on the Cargele Masso (IITA, CGIAR) levels were compared to a baseline scenario with relevance of family farming in the climate change For further information no project intervention. Socioeconomic, crop mitigation agenda. Rakotovao N.H., Chevallier T., Chapuis-Lardy L., yield and soil data were collected on 192 farms Deffontaines S., Mathé S., Ramarofidy M.A., over five crop seasons (2013-2018). The GHG *This study was conducted with the support of the SoCa project Rakotoniamonjy T.H., Lepage A., Masso C., Albrecht A., funded by the Fondation BNP Paribas. balance was estimated with 2 calculators: the Razafimbelo T.M., 2020. Impacts on greenhouse gas balance and rural economy after agroecology development in Itasy Madagascar. J. Clean. Prod., 291: 125220. q Soil fertilization via composting. Composting workshop, Imerintsiatosika, Itasy region, Madagascar. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125220 © T. Chevallier/IRD 73 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems A conceptual framework for multiservice agroecosystem management In order to foster research on ecosystem compartments, including both domesticated and (landscape, farming systems, seminatural habitats, services in agroecosystems, the INRAE wild biodiversity. The functional components and natural resources) to enable service EcoServ Metaprogram has proposed a are biophysical processes (soil, water and regulation. Third, the framework proposes a conceptual framework at the agricultural nutrient cycles) and biological processes, dynamic iterative representation of territory scale for the purpose of developing involving individuals and populations, while also interactions between the social system, socioecological approaches to facilitate encompassing metacommunity dynamics. The ecosystem and agricultural practices, implementation of multiservice management in social system structural components take the regardless of the entry chosen at the outset. agroecosystems. We designed this framework diversity of individual stakeholders (e.g. farmers, The relevance of this dynamic conceptual on three fundamental bases. First, we defined foresters), organizations and institutions into framework was illustrated by its application to a novel symmetrical representation account, thereby incorporating the diverse range the reanalysis of two case studies published of the ecosystem and social system via of beneficiaries of the bundle of interacting elsewhere: the dynamics triggered by each of their structural and functional services. The functional components correspond environmental certification in the coffee value components in order to broaden the to diverse socioeconomic processes. Second, an chain in Central America (Figure), and the set- scope of possible interactions between these explicit management-oriented feature is up of collective management in a French cereal systems. The ecosystem structural components included in the framework that specifies growing area to reconcile agricultural production are its physical, geochemical and biological potential management targets and levels and biodiversity. Contacts Françoise Lescourret (PSH, INRAE, France), francoise.lescourret@inrae.fr Danièle Magda (AGIR, INRAE, France), daniele.magda@inrae.fr Guy Richard (Directorate for Expertise, Foresight and Advanced Studies, INRAE, France), guy.richard@inrae.fr For further information Lescourret F., Magda D., Richard G., et al., 2015. A social-ecological approach to managing multiple agro- ecosystem services. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 14: 68-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2015.04.001 t Use of the EcoServ conceptual framework to represent the dynamics of coffee certification in Central America and its consequences on agroecosystem service management. Source: Fabrice DeClerk et al., 2011. Ecosystem Services from Agriculture and Agroforestry Measurement and Payment. Earthscan, London. Redesigning agrosystems in southern India to optimize water resource use In India, the excesses of the Green Revolution led to an agrarian crisis that has impacted food security, energy consumption, water and soil resources, and even the survival of farms. Alternative models based on agroecological principles are currently being fostered, but the tools to adapt them locally are lacking. A multidisciplinary consortium of Indian and French researchers is monitoring and modeling the hydrological, geochemical, agronomic and socioeconomic functioning of an experimental watershed in southern India (Berambadi, an Indian site of the National Observation Service ‘Multiscale Tropical Catchments’, SNO M-Tropics), where excessive groundwater tapping for irrigation is undermining farm sustainability. Scenarios are being jointly developed with local stakeholders to come up with ways to improve the situation. …cont’d ☞ u Individual borehole in Berambadi. 74 This photo shows the small size of the crop plots. © M Sekhar Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The first scenarios proposed by stakeholders require a deep redesign of the systems Contacts essentially had a technological bent, i.e. improving so as to tailor them to the local soil- Laurent Ruiz (SAS, GET, INRAE, France), irrigation productivity (e.g. microirrigation) climate conditions and to ensure optimal laurent.ruiz@inrae.fr and increasing available water resources agricultural production while preserving Muddu Sekhar (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, (e.g. artificial groundwater replenishment, hillside water resources. For example, crop rotations India), muddu@iisc.ac.in reservoirs). An integrated model developed could be modified (complementarity between on the RECORD platform (see page 136) irrigated and rainfed crops) while discouraging For further information indicates that these solutions are insufficient, the planting of high water-consuming crops • Robert M., Thomas A., Sekhar M., Badiger S., Ruiz L., and may even accelerate groundwater depletion during the hot and dry season, which are Raynal H., Bergez J.E., 2016. Adaptive and dynamic by spurring the extension of irrigated areas primarily responsible for the annual water deficit. decision-making processes: a conceptual model of production systems on Indian farms. Agricultural Systems. (rebound effect). Moreover, irrigation pricing Generic diagnostic and assessment tools https://10,1016/j.agsy.2016.08.001 would make it possible to consolidate water developed in this framework could help • Sekhar M., Riotte J., Ruiz L., Jouquet P, Braun J.J., 2016. resources but would wipe out many vulnerable devise solutions under a wide range of soil- Influences of climate and agriculture on water and farms. The new scenarios proposed climate conditions. biogeochemical cycles: Kabini critical zone observatory. Proc. Ind. Nat. Sci. Acad., 82: 833-846. http://dx.doi.org/10.16943/ptinsa/2016/48488 Agroecology as a lever for climate change adaptation and mitigation A review of the evidence Agroecology is to an increasing extent climate change adaptation, mitigation, and scaling fertility(3). Soil carbon sequestration was the being showcased as a means to transform (representing over 10,212 studies). We also most frequently observed form of mitigation. food systems and achieve global food reviewed 15,674 articles regarding agroecological Farmers’ co-creation and knowledge sharing and nutrition security in the current climate approaches related to nutrient management underpinned their capacity to adapt to local change setting. However, scientific evidence and climate change outcomes, in addition to conditions(1), improving both adaptation and supporting this strategy is modest. We conducted 5,498 articles on agroecological approaches mitigation to climate change. Evidence gaps a rapid evidence-based review to gain insight related to pests and diseases and climate change were noted for agroecological approaches: into the impacts of agroecological practices on outcomes. We identified 138 papers that also (i) involving livestock integration; (ii) landscape climate change adaptation and mitigation(2). considered some aspects of scaling, adoption, scale redesign; and (iii) response to extreme We focused on: (i) the impact of agroecological and farmer innovation. Substantial evidence weather events. Data on greenhouse gas approaches on climate change mitigation and is available on the impacts of agroecology emissions in the tropics is also very limited. adaptation in low- and middle-income countries; on climate change adaptation, as well Scaling evidence is sparse, except regarding and (ii) programming approaches and conditions as on climate change mitigation to a approaches that support agricultural diversity supporting large-scale agroecological transitions. lesser extent. This included positive impacts and enhance the local adaptive capacity (use of We reviewed 18 synthesis and meta-analysis of diversification on pollination, pest control, participatory and farmer-to-farmer processes) papers on agroecological approaches and nutrient cycling, water regulation and soil and the role of policy. p Percentage of papers reporting evidence on co-benefits and production (100 papers) regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation of agroecological nutrient and pest management for agroecology practices and systems. Source: Snapp et al. (2021) Contacts For further information agroecological approaches in low- and middle- income Yodit Kebede (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), yodit.kebede@ird.fr (1) Mier y Terán Giménez Cacho M., Giraldo O.F., countries. Wageningen, the Netherlands: CGIAR Research Aldasoro M., Morales H., Ferguson B.G., Rosset P., Khadse Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Lini Wollenberg (Climate Change Agriculture and Food A., Campos C., 2018. Bringing agroecology to scale: key Security (CCAFS). https://ccafs.cgiar.org/news/agroecology- Security CRP, University of Vermont, USA), drivers and emblematic cases. Agroecology and sustainable key-piece-climate-adaptation-mitigation lini.wollenberg@uvm.edu food systems, 42(6): 637-665. (3) Tamburini G., Bommarco R., Wanger T.C., Kremen C., Sieglinde Snapp (Michigan University, USA), doi: 10.1080/21683565.2018.1443313 van der Heijden M.G., Liebman M., Hallin S., 2020. snapp@msu.edu (2) Snapp S, Kebede Y, Wollenberg E, Dittmer KM, Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem 75 Brickman S, Egler C, Shelton S., 2021. Agroecology and services without compromising yield. Science advances, climate change rapid evidence review: performance of 6(45). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba1715 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Redesigning agroecosystems Uptake of agroecological practices is conditioned by intrahousehold dynamics and changes in women’s labor profiles P lanting basins (pits dug in crop fields control of household resources, intersect labor investment, especially when rainfall was to hold water in which crops are then to shape men’s and women’s interest in, sparse. Intrahousehold relations were planted) are an effective agroecological contribution to and benefits from different shaped by women’s increased participation response to increased drought frequency and practices(2). The adoption of basins shifted the in innovation processes, such as training severity but their creation and maintenance are labor task from men to women because, before events, as well as broader societal changes, labour intensive(1). The research reported here taking up the basins, women had been less particularly the outmigration of many rural men. examined intrahousehold decisions and gender involved in land preparation (Figure). Despite the The uptake of on-farm restoration practices in relations surrounding the use of planting basins fact that basins increased the land preparation eastern Kenya is likely to be enhanced by the by over 2,500 farmers in the eastern drylands time, many farmers reported they reduced the explicit consideration of intrahousehold roles of Kenya. The results reveal that decisions overall amount of time spent working on their and relations when designing and disseminating regarding the uptake of agroecological farm because less weeding was required. Many agroecological innovations. In many contexts, practices, although initiated by women also noted that the use of basins spread the achieving inclusive and gender-equitable who attend agricultural workshops, are labor demand more evenly throughout the year. outcomes, also requires deliberate action to often made on the basis of discussions Men and women reported that basins were shift gender relations so that women will have between husbands and wives and that more productive because of their ability to increased voice in farming decisions. multiple social dimensions, including capture runoff, control erosion and increase soil gender norms surrounding the use and fertility, and so they were worth the required Contact Mary Crossland (School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, UK), marycrossland@gmail.com Other authors Ana Maria Paez Valencia (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya) Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/Bangor University, UK) For further information (1) https://forestsnews.cifor.org/65320/agroforestry-basins- stir-up-big-benefits-for-women-in-kenya-drylands?fnl=en (2) Crossland M., Paez Valencia A.M., Pagella T., Magaju C., Kiura E., Winowiecki L., Sinclair F., 2021. Onto the farm, into the home: how intrahousehold gender dynamics shape 76 p Gender of those involved in (fig. A) digging planting basins, and (fig. B) preparing land using farmers’ land restoration in Eastern Kenya. Ecological Restoration, usual cultivation practices, at six locations across three semiarid counties in Kenya. 39 (1&2): 90-102. Source: Crossland et al., (2021) Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 77 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 78 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems PART 2 Food systems 79 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Chapter 4 Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems to achieve agroecological transitions at scale – reconnecting producers and consumers The development, implementation and scaling of agroecological chains that need to be overcome? Can local value chains play a role, as practices (see chapters 1, 2 and 3) requires an appropriate shown by Faye for camels? Can industrial business models be tweaked enabling environment. This often means overcoming structural to integrate smallholder production systems, as shown by Miccolis et al. constraints that hamper conventional agricultural improvement models, with regard to oilpalm agroforestry in the Brazilian Amazon? How can thereby necessitating fundamental shifts in the way food systems are markets be transformed to work for agroecology at larger scales to, organized and function. This chapter addresses the issue of identifying for instance, reach large populations in megacities with agroecological and surmounting constraints within agricultural, food and land systems products, including supplying big trade volumes? Can national policies to achieve agroecological transitions at scale. The research presented be put in place to enable all this, as Rizvi et al. show for agroforestry here is organized around five main issues: (i) the economic environment around farms, linked to value chains, markets and regulations; (ii) the in India? innovation environment around farms and farming systems; (iii) the role of markets in re-establishing a more direct connection between Another set of issues is linked to the way the knowledge and producers and consumers; (iv) leveraging nutrition objectives and innovation environment around farms function. What is the food traditions for agroecology; and (v) designing territorial food role of farmer advisory services and how can they help? Are current systems. These issues are in line with Gliesmann’s transition level #4 local farm innovations and knowledge exchange platforms conducive (“Re-establish a more direct connection between those who grow our to agroecological transitions? How do value chain innovations enhance food and those who consume it”), while fulfilling the requirements of the transition potential at the farm level (as shown by Jeuffroy & an overall enabling environment that favors agroecological transitions. Meynard)? How can agricultural research fit into this scheme in new ways with new roles, from a traditional ‘off farm piloting and Some of these constraints are found in the economic on farm upscaling’ model, towards a new model of on-farm research environment around farms and in the way production and experimentation at scale to embrace the wider range of context- value chains are currently organized and regulated. First, specific and farmer-tailored transitions (as shown by Coe & Sinclair), are there farm, land or tree tenure related constraints that need while ensuring that innovations are demand-driven (Yila et al.)? This is to be overcome and how? Then, what are the key constraints and exemplified with regard to the co-design of dairy systems in Burkina bottlenecks for change at scale in systems beyond the farm? How does Faso (Vall et al.), and by new scientific platforms working together with farm and household labor play a role (e.g. as shown by Agazhi et al. in actors, as shown by Bertrand and Rapidel for coffee agroforestry, or legume intercropping)? How is land and tree tenure a constraint and in France by Cerf and Jeuffroy. Are there gender-specific issues that how can it be overcome (as shown by Chomba et al.)? What are the may hinder or accelerate the agroecological transition (as shown by social and economic forces and factors, that generally favor uniformity, Yila and Sylla)? standardization and concentration along food value chains, that hinder agroecological transitions, and how can they be addressed? What is the An important dimension of agroecology is to reconstruct links role of input markets, cooperatives, output and standardization, quality between producers and consumers. Are emerging market types control, constraints linked to transformation, and to market regulation? (e.g. local markets, local procurement, but also more distant markets Can specific institutions such as rural resource centers play a role as for agroecological produce, etc.) conducive to this, what are these shown by Carsan et al.? Are there specific constraints for specific value markets, can they be favored and how? How can distant markets work q A kiosk-type food shop. © Y. Kameli/IRD/MOISA 80 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems to enable this connection, when food needs to be sourced from greater including croplands and forests (Ickowitz et al.). How can this be best distances (e.g. megacities, or for internationally traded commodities preserved and leveraged? like coffee, cocoa, etc.)? Can quality labels, certification or other schemes be made to work for agroecology, as for quality peanuts in Finally, a key way to ensure that enabling environments will be favorable Kenya (Hauser & Edel) or cocoa certification in Cameroon (Lescuyer)? for agroecology is to better link food value chains, food system actors How is it possible to ensure that the information on key attributes of and territorial or landscape scale development. What forms products and the way they have been produced (e.g. production modes, of organization are conducive to local innovation systems, and what social footprints, nutritional values, biodiversity, energy intensity, etc.) examples are available? Is there a role of jurisdictions in landscapes to will be transmitted from farm-to-fork and thereby influence consumer construct territorial food systems that bring together all stakeholders preferences and inform their choices, as shown by Cuong and Nelson in a participatory way to structure the food system/environment for rice? And conversely, can consumers’ sustainable consumption organization in a given landscape, while tackling issues of rural, choices bring rewards to producers, and if so, how? periurban and urban land tenure for production, markets, sales and distribution channels, etc.? What is the role of local food systems and Better nutrition is a fundamental objective for food system to what extent and how can they provide some form of self-sufficiency transitions, but nutrition is not only an end, it can also be a means. (e.g. Sanz-Sanz et al.)? How can we better understand and connect A better understanding, consideration, and integration of nutritional human and environmental health issues around cities, as exemplified dimensions into farming, marketing and consumption decisions can by Le Bars and Kameli with regard to pesticide reductions in Bamako be conducive to agroecology. How can this work in practice? (Mali)? What forms of social organizations in cities can enhance rural- For instance, can we gain insight into and promote the benefits of urban connections? Territorial food projects represent an innovative underutilized crops to improve nutrition and fight under/malnutrition solution developed in Mirecourt, France (Barataud & Coquil). Can (Termote & Meldrum)? Can farm production systems be devised these channels leverage the opportunity of recycling waste and the to ensure a portfolio of products that year-round could provide a nutrients they contain to benefit agroecological production, and how balanced supply of diverse nutritious foods, harness the diversity of (e.g. Wassenaar and Feder for Réunion)? Resilience to shocks and crop and tree harvesting calendars (as shown by Dury et al. in Mali and crises such as COVID-19 must be enhanced to cope with issues Burkina-Faso, and by McMullin et al. concerning fruit tree portfolios in regarding rural, urban and territorial development, social, economic East Africa)? Manners and Remans show that farm-scale crop diversity and physical infrastructures to link with food systems (as shown by can be managed to meet nutritional objectives without tradeoffs with Homann-Kee Tui et al. in Zimbabwe). Moreover, longer time horizons regarding total yield or income in the Central African Great Lakes should be taken into consideration in policy making, such as by region. Knowledge on the nutritional value of native food plant species mobilizing foresight approaches (see Dorin in India). can enhance interventions and policies (Borelli & Hunter). Food culture and traditions are key dimensions of agroecology but are often at risk of being lost, therefore it is important to ensure a continued transmission Vincent Gitz (CIFOR, CGIAR) of knowledge around local, nutritious foods, their cultivation and use Bernard Hubert (Agropolis International, INRAE) including traditional cooking methods. This includes the protection, use and management of wild food plant species across mosaic landscapes, Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR) 81 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems Economic environment around farms and farming systems Impact of introducing food legumes in cereal-based monocropping systems – inter- and intra-household analyses Agroecological diversification strengthens dominated crop production systems. The introducing legume crops in monocropping ecological and socioeconomic resilience, binary treatment effect model results showed systems dominated by wheat can generate often by creating new market that adopters generate 25% higher income interesting opportunities and that gender opportunities(1). Empirical studies have shown from their crop farming than non-adopters. differentials need to be focused on to take that farms with high agrobiodiversity, food The generalized propensity score matching full advantage of the potential benefits security and social engagement can be considered model results also indicated that the adoption from introducing legumes. as more advanced in the agroecological transition intensity has a positive effect on income and process and to have a presumably high potential calorie intake. However, the daily consumption for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem expenditure was found to decrease as the services(3). The introduction of legumes in cereal adoption intensity increased. An age and sex dominated monocropping systems is among disaggregated analysis revealed that households the most common strategies farmers use to with a higher productive labor force benefit from increase the efficiency and productivity of their better causal effects while they are less beneficial farms. There is limited empirical information for those with a higher number of economically on the economic impacts of introducing food dependent female members. This implies that the legume crops in cereal dominated monocropping impact of the adoption of improved food legume systems in Ethiopia. Based on a random sample varieties varies among households according to of 600 farm households and using different their intra-household dynamics. The adoption of specifications of the propensity score matching improved food legume varieties has a promising model (PSM)*, this study investigated the welfare impact, yet this significantly differs * PSM is a treatment effects model based on the propensity score impact of the intensity of adoption of newly among household members due to age and concept. Propensity score is the conditional probability of assignment introduced food legume technologies in wheat sex variations. The evidence highlights that to a particular treatment given a vector of observed covariates(2). Contacts Zenaye Degefu Agazhi (Oromia State University, Ethiopia), zizusgs.agroeco@gmail.com Girma Tesfahun Kassie (ICARDA, CGIAR, Morocco), g.tesfahun@cgiar.org Degye Goshu (Ethiopian Economics Association, Ethiopia), degyeabgos@gmail.com Other author Mulugeta Yitayih (ILRI, CGIAR, Ethiopia) For further information (1) FAO, 2021. Agroecology knowledge hub. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. www.fao.org/agroecology/ knowledge/10-elements/diversity/en/ (accessed: 22 April 2021). (2) Rosenbaum P.R., Rubin D.B., 1983. The central role of the propensity score in observational studies for causal effects. Biometrika, 70(1): 14. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0006- 3444%28198304%2970%3A1%3C41%3 ATCROTP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q (3) Teixeira, H.M. et al., 2018. Understanding farm diversity to promote agroecological transitions. 82 Sustainability (Switzerland). MDPI AG, p Faba beans growing in the predominantly cereal crop Bale administrative zone, Southern Ethiopia. 10(12). doi: 10.3390/su10124337 © G.T. Kassie/ICARDA Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems How land and tree tenure condition agroecological transitions at scale Land and tree tenure are critical for the landowners had a guaranteed third share and maintain or establish agroforestry stands on adoption and scaling of agroecological project costs were met before the remainder at least 20% of their land, while implementing approaches that ensure sustainable, was allocated to communities who had been soil and water conservation measures. Different socially just and secure global food systems. In previously dispossessed of tenure rights and agroecological approaches were identified many regions, land and tree tenure remain weak, access to resources, including people excluded —consistent with current farmer livelihoods and contentious and insecure, thereby hampering from economic activity on land as it became part land/tree conservation strategies—that could be smallholder farmer adoption of agroecological of the scheme (such as charcoal makers, grazers carried out by farmers on their securely held practices, sustainable investment and equitable and squatters on abandoned ranches evicted as land. These include forest cover restoration, benefit sharing mechanisms. Where land land ownners rights were re-asserted). Weak and promotion of successions in fallows, agroforestry ownership is skewed in favor of a few individuals, insecure tenure is disproportionately affecting and enrichment of fallows in areas devoted to food system transitions—long-term by nature— women, indigenous people and the poorest crop production(2). This provision could provide risk entrenching inequalities in production and landless members of society. These people land acquisition rights to tens of thousands benefit-acquisition from agroecology (Figure). In often do not have an opportunity to engage in of farmers, pending their implementation of the Kasigau project (Kenya), three equal shares productive agroecological approaches, to defend agroecological practices(3). of benefits were expected amongst groups, but their agroecology-friendly sociocultural norms Contacts or to benefit equitably. Targeted institutional Susan Chomba (World Resources Institute, WRI), mechanisms are required to remediate these susan.chomba@wri.org structural factors(1). Small land holding sizes Valentina Robiglio, (ICRAF, CGIAR, Peru), could require disproportionate agroecological v.robiglio@cgiar.org transition costs, with smallholder farmers Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/ Bangor University, disadvantaged over large-scale producers through UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org Land owners economies of scale. 33% For further information Project costs Innovative land tenure arrangements (1) Chomba S., Kariuki J., Lund J.F., Sinclair F., 2016. Roots that make land available to women and of inequity: how the implementation of REDD+ reinforces 53% the underprivileged, ensure security for past injustices. Land Use Policy, 50: 202-213. indigenous people and support aggregation (2) Robiglio V., Reyes M., 2016. Restoration through Communities and collective marketing, can help formalization? Assessing the potential of Peru’s overcome some of these challenges(1). In the agroforestry concessions scheme to contribute to 14% restoration in agricultural frontiers in the Amazon region. Peruvian Amazon, the government has granted World Development Perspectives, 3: 42-46. formal land titles (40-year renewable leases) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2016.11.013 to farmers who had encroached on forest (3) Sinclair F., Wezel A., Mbow C., Chomba S., Robiglio V., p Average distribution of revenues from carbon sales land prior to passing of the law, provided that Harrison R., 2019. The contribution of agroecological in 2010 and 2011 from the Kasigau Corridor REDD they commit to conserving forest remnants, approaches to realizing climate-resilient agriculture. GCA: Project in Kenya. Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Rural resource centers provide extension support for diversified food production options Declined investment in agricultural and dissemination hubs—set up on a need or local ideally established via projects and including local forestry extension services in Africa resource availability basis to promote the use community ownership plans, provide farmers is negatively affecting the ability of of agroforestry technologies in some West and and local extension staff with peer learning farmers to adopt novel food production practices East African areas—provides new opportunities opportunities, training, links with input suppliers, that involve perennial trees, since they are to improve farmer access to new knowledge, demonstrations and planting material exchange knowledge intensive. The use of rural resource improved germplasm, nursery practices, grafting possibilities that help improve and diversify local centers (RRC) as local- or farmer-oriented skills and tree management practices. RRC, food production options. …cont’d ☞ t Illustration on the contribution of rural resource centers (RRC) to improved food systems. ATCS: agricultural training centres CBO: community-based organization EC: European Commission FLR-ACIAR: Forest and Landscape Restoration - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research IFAD: International Fund for Agricultural Development NGO: non-governmental organization NTSC: National Tree Seed Centre RAB MinAgri: Rwanda Agriculture Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources RWAFA: Rwanda Water and 83 Forest AuthoritySource: own compilation. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems They complement traditional forestry nurseries production options with fruits and leafy Contact focused on timber seedlings by helping farmers vegetables. Marshalling knowledge and Sammy Carsan (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), s.carsan@cgiar.org produce diverse food trees of their choice for materials on local food genetic resources boosts on-farm planting or sale to other community appreciation of diverse local foods, while also Other authors members. Members can also diversify tree helping to fill hunger gaps caused by over reliance Catherine Dembele (Institut de l’Environnement et de production with leafy vegetables at the hub or on a few staple crops prone to drought problems Recherches Agricoles, INERA, Burkina Faso) produce planting materials for home gardening. that arise in Africa. Athanase Mukuralinda (ICRAF, CGIAR, Rwanda) This often creates opportunities that especially Catherine Muthuri (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya) benefit youth and women through income generating activities. These activities may involve For further information marketing tree seedlings, supplying fruit scions • Takoutsing B., Tchoundjeu Z., Degrande A., Asaah E., and providing skills such as fruit grafting for a fee. Tsobeng A., 2014. Scaling-up sustainable land management In sum, RRC serve complementary rural practices through the concept of the rural resource advisory roles, helping local communities centre: reconciling farmers’ interests with research to better: (i) diversify food tree planting agendas. International Journal of Agricultural Extension Education, 20(5): 463-483. materials; (ii) multiply and disseminate http://dx.doi.org/1 0.1080/1389224X.2014.913984 diverse food trees; (iii) secure income • Major impacts and outcomes of RRC: generation activities; and (iv) scale food www.worldagroforestry.org/node/105018 Innovative camel production systems and insertion in local value chains Camel rearing has long been associated exclusive rangeland grazing to rational feeding Chloris gayana, which may grow on plots irrigated with low-input mobile herding. However, with fodder sourced mainly from irrigated areas with otherwise unusable brackish water. When this livestock sector has been undergoing in regions markedly impacted by water shortages. associated with forage shrubs such as Moringa a marked change towards intensified milk and The pressure of this feeding system on water oleifera, these halophytic crops could provide meat production and sports performances (camel resources is not comparable to that exerted by sufficient feed for camels. races) in many parts of the world (Middle Holstein dairy cattle farming in desert regions, East, Central Asia, China and North Africa). but the use of irrigated fodder crops still seems This change is reflected in the modernization of hard to maintain in the dryland conditions production practices (mechanical milking, feed- that generally prevail in ‘camel countries’. lots), the use of reproductive biotechnologies A potential alternative could include the (artificial insemination, embryo transfer) and systematic use of by-products of oasis enhanced integration in local or national markets, agriculture (date and olive waste), as well thereby substantially boosting the value of camel as the development of salt-tolerant forage products (milk, meat) that were not previously crops. Indeed, camels very well tolerate salt- marketed. There have also been major changes rich rations and some more or less halophytic in feeding methods, with a clear shift away from forage species such as Sporobolus virginicus and Contact Bernard Faye (SELMET, CIRAD, France), bjfaye50@gmail.com For further information • El-Shaer H.M., 2010. Halophytes and salt-tolerant plants as potential forage for ruminants in the Near East region. Small Rumin. Res., 91(1): 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2010.01.010 • Faye B., 2016. The camel, new challenges for a sustainable development. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 48: 689-692. https://doi:10.1007/s11250-016-0995-8 84 p Signboard for pasteurized camel milk on El-Oued market (Algeria). p Mechanical milking of dairy camels in the Kharj farm (Saudi Arabia). © B. Faye © B. Faye Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Scaling up oil palm agroforestry in the Brazilian Amazon Tailoring production systems and business models to the context of family farmers in Tomé Açu (Pará State) G lobally, oil palm is mainly produced to the vast majority of AFS: cocoa, açaí palm in monocrop plantations, which (Euterpe oleracea) and black pepper, which have can be highly productive but have solid marketing pathways. Key motivations for Contact been historically associated with negative adopting AFS included resilience to market environmental and mixed livelihood impacts. risks, price fluctuations and extreme Andrew Miccolis (ICRAF, CGIAR, Brazil), a.miccolis@cgiar.org Oil palm agroforestry (AFS) can provide an climate events, and the well-established agroecological pathway for palm oil production. markets for agroforestry products. Other authors We studied key factors underlying the expansion The main constraints for upscaling biodiverse Helen Ramos, Jimi Amaral, Daniel Braga, Liliane Cunha, Laís of AFS in northeastern Pará State, in the Brazilian oil palm agroforestry among family farmers Sousa, Frederico Brandão and Henrique Marques (ICRAF, Amazon, and highlighted pathways to achieving were: negative perceptions about oil palm, i.e. CGIAR, Brazil) more socioenvironmentally sustainable oil palm viewed as a poor companion crop; resistance production. The methodology involved: an to the prevailing business model/technological For further information analysis of secondary socioeconomic and land- package practiced by companies; and low access • Batistella M., Bolfe É.L., Moran E.F., 2013. Agroforestry use data; and a household survey (203 farms) to technical assistance, rural credit, inputs and in Tomé-Açu: an alternative to pasture in the Amazon. In focused on livelihoods, value chains, agroforestry processing facilities for some agroforestry Brondízio E., Moran E. (eds): Human-environment interactions, types and practices (152 plots). The preliminary products, especially açai palm and cassava. vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. findings showed ample interest in expanding The potential expansion of mixed oil palm https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4780-7_14 AFS, as compared to a very low interest agroforestry in this context could thus be • Brandão F., Schoneveld G., 2015. The state of oil palm development in the Brazilian Amazon: trends, value chain in oil palm. AFS represent a key component hinged on more flexible contracts by including dynamics, and business models. CIFOR Working Paper, 45 p. of livelihoods, as measured by the area provisions that take into account farmers’ https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor/005861 occupied, income, and wellbeing. Family aspirations, available land and labor, agroforestry • Khasanah N., van Noordwijk M., Slingerland M., farmers had highly heterogeneous livelihoods species management, input use, and technical Sofiyudin M., Stomph D., Migeon A.F., Hairiah K., 2020. and land-use strategies, averaging 9 ±5 land uses assistance geared not just to oil palm but also Oil palm agroforestry can achieve economic and per farm. Despite high overall species diversity to agroforestry and agroecological practices environmental gains as indicated by multifunctional land across farms, a few key species were common overall. equivalent ratios. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 3 (January): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00122 • Miccolis A., Robiglio V., Cornelius J.P., Blare T., Castellani D., 2019. Oil palm agroforestry: fostering socially inclusive and sustainable production in Brazil. In Jezeer R., Pasiecznik N. (eds.): Exploring inclusive palm oil production. Tropenbos International: Wageningen, the Netherlands: 55-62. www.etfrn.org/publications/exploring+inclusive+pal m+oil+production p Oil palm agroforestry in Tomé Açu, Pará, Brazil. © H. Marques 85 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems National agroforestry policy design and implementation in India and beyond Agroforestry is immensely beneficial, Some major practical impacts of NAP include: yet unfavorable national policies an estimated 70% timber requirement of the hamper realization of its full country is being met through agroforestry socioeconomic and environmental benefit (valued at about $20 billion); and ‘out of potential. India implemented the world’s first forest’ tree cover increased by 1.8% over the National Agroforestry Policy (NAP) in 2014(1). 2015-2019 period, 86% of which was credited to Besides assisting in policy formulation, World agroforestry (Figure). Such successes have caused Agroforestry (also called ICRAF) continues ripple effects in the region and beyond. The to be part of the high level Inter-Ministerial Government of Nepal, with support from ICRAF Contacts Committee overseeing policy implementation. and the Climate Technology Centre and Network The latter has: led to the establishment of (CTCN), developed and launched its NAP in Javed Rizvi (ICRAF, CGIAR, India), j.rizvi@cgiar.org a sub-mission on agroforestry with a 2019(2) (Photo). FTA evaluated the Nepalese NAP Yogendra Karki (Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (3) Development, Nepal), ykkarkee@hotmail.com $146.3 million allocation to facilitate NAP as a high impact initiative . ICRAF has supported implementation; removed bottlenecks the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Other authors on growing, felling and transporting (ASEAN)(4) and Rwanda to develop agroforestry 650 agroforestry species in 25 Indian strategies; and it is currently working with Shiv K. Dhyani and Sunil Londhe (ICRAF, CGIAR, India) states; facilitated upgrading of a national Maldives and some other countries for the same Keshab Adhikari (ICRAF, CGIAR, Nepal) research institute of agroforestry*; and purpose. The ripple effect has even reached creation of a national bamboo mission with Belize, in Central America, which is currently For further information a $197 million allocation. Further, inclusion developing its own NAP. (1) Singh V.P., Sinha R.B., Nayak D., Neufeldt H., van of agroforestry in the Indian corporate social Noordwijk M., Rizvi J., 2016. The national agroforestry policy of India: experiential learning in development and responsibility (CSR) portfolio has opened a new delivery phases. ICRAF Working Paper. window of investment. More than 260 Indian www.worldagroforestry.org/publication/national- companies invested around $1.59 billion * ICRA-Central Agroforestry Research Institute: http://cafri.res.in agroforestry-policy-india-experiential-learning- in 2020. development-and-delivery (2) Climate Technology Centre and Network, Technical support to formulate a National Agroforestry Policy for Nepal (2019). www.ctc-n.org/technical-assistance/projects/technical- support-formulate-national-agroforestry-policy-nepal (3) CAS Secretariat (CGIAR Advisory Services Shared Secretariat), 2020. CGIAR Research Program 2020 Reviews: Forests, Trees and Agroforestry. Rome: CAS Secretariat Evaluation Function: 22-23. https://cas.cgiar.org/sites/default/files/images/FTA%20 CRP%20Review%202020%20Report.pdf (4) ICRAF, 2018. ASEAN Guidelines for Agroforestry Development. Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Jakarta. www.recoftc.org/sites/default/files/publications/ resources/recoftc-0000330-0002-en.pdf p Launch of the National Agroforestry Policy. Left to right: Honourable minister, Chakra P. Khanal, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD); Secretary of Agriculture, Yubak Dhoj GC; Member, Nepal Planning Commission, DB Gurung; and Javed Rizvi, Director South Asia Program, ICRAF. © Abiar Rahman/ICRAF 86 p Direct and mediated impacts of the National Agroforestry Policy (NAP) in India. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Innovation environment around farms and farming systems Reconnecting innovation dynamics in agriculture and food sectors Rather than striving to enhance the waters. Yet research on the bread-making process use and greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and N2O). sustainability of the agriculture and food has shown how to make bread with low-protein The potential comeback of legumes in crop fields sectors separately, reconnecting the wheat. This bread-making innovation would enhance and on consumers’ plates requires a combination innovation dynamics in these two fields is essential. the sustainability of agriculture while reducing its of various innovations: cropping systems that The idea is to solve an agricultural problem by negative environmental impacts. incorporate legumes in rotations, mixtures or building a change at the food processing step cover crops; precooked preparations facilitating of the value chain, and vice versa. For instance, The transition of agrifood systems can only be their use in cooking; organizational innovations for to make high-quality bread, the milling industry managed collectively, with close involvement of collection and distribution in short supply chains; currently requires wheat grain with a high protein public authorities. Another example concerns the and productive stress-resistant varieties. These content. To achieve this, the wheat crop must be development of grain legumes in crop rotations two examples(1,2) demonstrate that it is essential supplied with high quantities of nitrogen fertilizer, in France, with a view to increasing the availability to design clusters of coupled innovations a part of which is not used by the crop, is lost of plant proteins for human consumption, and to (i.e. mutually coordinated) involving the and likely to pollute the air, surface and ground reducing (due to symbiotic fixation) fossil energy different chain links, but also to support the reorganization of stakeholder networks, learning, along with changes in standards and regulations that will facilitate the operational rollout of these innovations. Contacts Marie-Hélène Jeuffroy (Agronomie, INRAE, France), marie-helene.jeuffroy@inrae.fr Jean-Marc Meynard (Agronomie, SAD-APT, INRAE, France), jean-marc.meynard@inrae.fr For further information (1) Meynard J.M., Jeuffroy M.H., Le Bail M., Lefèvre A., Magrini M.B., Michon C., 2017. Designing coupled innovations for the sustainability transition of agrifood systems. Agricultural Systems, 157: 330-339. (2) Brun J., Jeuffroy M.H., Pénicaud C., Cerf M., Meynard J.M., 2021. Designing a research agenda for coupled innovation towards sustainable agrifood systems. Agricultural Systems, 191(2021): 103143. Using the options by context approach to support local agroecological innovation Innovation by large numbers of smallholder farmers will need to accelerate if global commitments to end hunger are to be achieved in the face of climate change and other global changes that are caused by and impact agriculture. Conventional agronomic research and development have involved a research process t Distribution of maize yield differences (t ha-1) between four that produces technologies, which are then agroforestry options (different promoted for adoption by large numbers of fertilizer trees in crop fields) farmers through extension—these research and and a no tree control, in real extension phases are more or less participatory. farm conditions across Malawi, The performance of agroecological practices, for a sample of farmers (n) who had adopted the practice for at which rely on natural processes rather than least 4 years. making the environment more uniform through Vertical lines at yield differences forcing monocultures with chemical inputs, varies of 0 and 2 t ha−1 are provided for hugely across the geographical spectrum covered reference, showing that while by development programmes, depending on the the majority of farmers obtained social, economic and ecological context. up to a 2 t ha -1 yield advantage some experienced a yield penalty 87 …cont’d ☞ or advantage of > 2 t ha-1 (up to 4 t ha-1 with Gliricidia). Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems We illustrate this with an example showing providers have been pooled in a special Contacts the cumulative proportion of farmers in issue of Experimental Agriculture, revealing the Richard Coe (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), r.coe@cgiar.org Malawi achieving yield penalty or benefit from nature and implications of such interactions, Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, Kenya/Bangor University, UK), incorporating different fertilizer tree species while suggesting that participatory research is f.sinclair@cgiar.org in their crop fields (Figure, previous page)(1). needed in multiple contexts to support locally This performance variability limits the relevant innovation which is both novel and For further information viability of recommendations generated challenging(4). A paradigm shift is underway, (1) Coe, R., Njoloma, J., Sinclair, F., 2019. Loading the dice for large areas and numbers of farmers. with researchers embracing new modes in favour of the farmer: reducing the risk of adopting It also highlights the need for new ways of thinking and action to address agronomic innovations. Experimental Agriculture, 55(SI): of supporting innovation based on the OxC interactions, but these also need 67-83. real-world heterogeneity of farmers’ to be taken up and further developed by (2) Sinclair F., Coe R., 2019. The options by context approach: a paradigm shift in agronomy. Experimental circumstances by exploring the contexts in public and private sector extension and Agriculture, 55(S1): 1-13. which particular practices perform well(2). change agents. It is only through continued https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479719000139 Addressing this widespread options by context co-development of methods involving both of (3) Coe R., Sinclair F., Barrios E., 2014. Scaling up interaction (OxC) phenomenon has profound these constituents, while working closely with agroforestry requires research ‘in’ rather than ‘for’ implications for how agronomic research and farmers, that it will be possible to ascertain development. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, development are organized(3). Sixteen papers which agroecological practices work where and 6: 73-77. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ from a wide range of agricultural research for whom. S1877343513001437 (4) Cambridge University Press (eds), 2019. Experimental Agriculture, 55(S1). www.cambridge. org/core/journals/experimental-agriculture/issue/ B7FAFD0A37A4177E37CD9C5062528DEA Learning, opportunities and agronomic constraints of smallholder sorghum and groundnut production systems in Mali The multifaceted climate change, depend on, while enhancing agroecosystem and sorghum varieties with traits that can population pressure and natural management efficiency. be tailored to and mitigate key production resource degradation crises underway constraints while boosting agroecological in West Africa are challenging agroecosystem Constraints and opportunities in sorghum and system resilience. The sensitivity of sustainability, in turn leading to reductions in groundnut production systems in Mali were varieties to weeds, drought, shorter rainfall crop yields and biodiversity, with implications examined alongside how this learning may seasons and low soil fertility was identified for food and ecosystem security. Two major influence demand-driven breeding to improve as a major production constraint. approaches for enhancing food production have food security and sustainable socioecological Growing crop varieties that thrive in such been focused on increasing the ‘area under crops’ outcomes. The studies were conducted marginal environments could lower the need for and ‘production per unit area’. Plant breeding in 2019 and 2020 among 449 groundnut environmentally disruptive chemical fertilizers innovations are geared towards promoting (224 women/225 men) and 352 sorghum and herbicides that threaten production system higher yields and efficient resource management (97 women/255 men) growers randomly selected sustainability. If farmers’ preference for high- (e.g. soil and water). In Mali, groundnut and in Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso and Segou regions. yielding varieties with low fertilizer requirements, sorghum are cash and food crops grown under The studies aimed to assess farmers’ preferences weed and drought resistance traits were to marginal conditions where farming activities rely of cultivar traits suitable for the production be considered in breeding pipelines, crop primarily on manual labour because of a very environment of men and women involved in productivity, genetic gain and sustainability could low mechanization level. Identifying cultivars with the production, processing, marketing and be simultaneously enhanced. climate-smart traits that farmers like can support consumption of these crops (Figure). The findings sustainable production of foods that households revealed that farmers preferred groundnut Contacts Jummai O. Yila (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Mali), j.o.yila@cgiar.org Benoît Govoeyi (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin), benoit2govoeyi@gmail.com Sekou Traore (Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée, IPR/ IFRA, Mali), traoresekou696@gmail.com For further information • Nair P.K.R., 2014. Grand challenges in agroecology and land use systems. Front. Environ. Sci., 2: 1. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2014.00001 • Nyadzi E., Nyamekye A.B., Werners S.E., Biesbroek R.G., Dewulf A., van Slobbe E., Long H.P., Termeer C.J.A.M., Ludwig F., 2018. Diagnosing the potential of hydro- climatic information services to support rice farming in northern Ghana. Journal of Life Sciences, 86: 51-63. • Shepard D., 2019. De graves répercussions du réchauffement 88 climatique pour l’Afrique. Afrique Renouveau, décembre 2018-mars 2019. p Opportunities and challenges of value chain actors in groundnut and sorghum production systems in Mali. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Step-by-step co-design of agroecological innovations in dairy farming systems in Burkina Faso In West Africa, the demand for dairy products in technical and organizational ‘steps’ geared of collection (efficient and inclusive collection is growing rapidly, but local value chains are towards redesigning the production system, scenarios), and in the pursuit of new outlets struggling to emerge due to competition while also fostering the emergence of an (Wagashi cheese). These different interventions from imported powdered milk. Agroecology enabling environment for local production. This also gave rise to the Bobo-Dioulasso Dairy offers a promising option for strengthening the approach is based on discussion forums involving Innovation Platform initiated in September 2020. competitiveness of local dairy chains by reducing researchers and local sector stakeholders, and on One of the lessons learned from these on-farm production costs and promoting the an in situ action research process. At the dairy 15 years of research is that the art of inclusion of actors, especially women, in emerging production systems scale, techniques for the step-by-step co-design lies in the ability chains. Since 2005, we have been conducting conservation of crop co-products, multipurpose to link initiatives aimed at developing step-by-step co-design work with milk producers, forage crops, shrub fodder banks, a rationing promising agricultural systems and to build collectors and processors in the Bobo-Dioulasso tool for female dairy cattle tailored for pastoral an enabling environment that includes region (Burkina Faso) to support them in a systems and manure management methods were policymakers and economic stakeholders change process driven by agroecological values. tested. We have assisted dairy sector actors in driven by the determination to develop Our approach involves supporting these actors initiating innovations concerning the organization local dairy sectors. Contacts Éric Vall (SELMET, CIRAD, France), eric.vall@cirad.fr Ollo Sib (SELMET, CIRAD, France), ollo.sib@cirad.fr Mélanie Blanchard (SELMET, CIRAD, Vietnam), melanie.blanchard@cirad.fr For further information • Blanchard M., Vall E., Tingueri Loumbana B., Meynard J.M., 2017. Identification, caractérisation et évaluation des pratiques atypiques de gestion des fumures organiques au Burkina Faso : sources d’innovation ? Autrepart, 2017/1(81): 115-134. doi: 10.3917/autr.081.0115 • Vall E., Blanchard M., Coulibaly K., Ouédraogo S., Dabiré D., Douzet J.M., Kouakou P.K., Andrieu N., Havard M., Chia E., Bougouma Y.B., Koutou, M., Marambiri M.S., Delma J.D., Sib O, 2019. Co-design of innovative mixed crop-livestock farming systems in the cotton zone of Burkina Faso. In: Côte F.-X. et al. (éd.): The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. Agricultures et défis du monde collection, AFD, CIRAD, Éditions Quæ, Versailles: 17-37. • Sib O., González-García E., Bougouma-Yameogo V.M.C., Blanchard M., Vall E., 2020. Co-development, establishment and assessment of shrub fodder banks for dairy cow p During a training session on yogurt production with a group of Fulani women (2012, Koumbia, Burkina Faso). feeding in Western Burkina Faso. Rev. Elev. Med. Vet. Pays © E. Vall Trop., 73(1): 27-35. doi: 10.19182/remvt.31841 Designing innovative coffee agroforestry systems Increased pest pressure, global warming, biodiversity loss and pesticide overuse are major challenges facing world coffee cultivation. Agroecological development of the system must therefore be favoured, while not losing sight of the profitability for producers. Strategies to ensure adaptive management of coffee agroforestry systems have been implemented through an agroforestry-oriented scientific platform(1). This involves adapting plantations (coffee varieties, shade tree species) and management practices (e.g. coffee pruning and/or shade tree pollarding). Plantation fertilization and shade management can be tailored to the prevailing coffee price situation, i.e. when prices are high, shading is reduced and fertilization is increased, but when prices drop, denser shading is promoted to increase nutrient recycling while reducing production and production costs. Selection of the best suited coffee varieties is a further strategic tool. …cont’d ☞ 89 p C. arabica F1 hybrids planted in agroforestry systems (Matagalpa, Nicaragua). © B. Bertrand/CIRAD Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems Coffee varieties have until now been selected roasters that are fully compliant with Contacts for very low shading conditions or full sun environmental and agronomic standards Benoît Bertrand (PHIM, CIRAD, France), cultivation. New coffee breeding programs have while meeting traceablity standards. benoit.bertrand@cirad.fr been geared towards offering varieties specifically Coffee production quality and quantity levels Bruno Rapidel (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), adapted to agroforestry system conditions are set according to the requirements of the bruno.rapidel@cirad.fr (www.breedcafs.eu). A new F1 hybrid coffee coffee company, which in return commits to a variety called Starmaya(2) has dramatically minimum price. Moreover, agroforestry clusters For further information enhanced coffee productivity, disease-resistance comply with shade tree planting specifications. (1) Mesoamerican Scientific Platform For Agroforestry: and bean quality in agroforestry systems. A ‘business driven’ agroforestry cluster is: www.pcpagroforestry.com/pcp-researchers.html a terroir + agroforestry practices (Rainforest (2) Georget F., Marie L., Alpizar E., Courtel P., Bordeaux M., A new concept has been developed to promote certified) + fully controlled postharvest Hidalgo J.M., Marraccini P., Breitler J.-C., Déchamp E., Poncon C., Etienne H., Bertrand B., 2019. Starmaya: the these innovations, i.e. the creation of clusters processing + 100% traceability. first Arabica F1 coffee hybrid produced using genetic male of growers to jointly produce coffee for sterility. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 1344. doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.01344 (3) https://dailycoffeenews.com/2017/03/13/new-starmaya- hybrid-could-reshape-the-industry-says-world-coffee- research/ (4) www.cirad.fr/en/news/all-news-items/articles/2019/ science/agroforestry-clusters-a-model-to-complement- fair-trade IDEAS platform Supporting actors and researchers in designing innovations enhancing the agroecological transition The much-needed agroecological well handled by agrifood system actors. Based workshops); (ii) facilitate the dialogue regarding transition of agrifood systems, which on a network of scientists focusing research on desired and possible achievements from the are now facing multiple challenges, calls and for design, through interdisciplinary projects actors’ standpoint (diagnosis of uses, step- for unprecedented changes: (i) systemic and (agronomy, food sciences, social sciences), the by-step design, prototype testing under real-life disruptive innovations; (ii) involvement of actors IDEAS platform, supported by INRAE and conditions); (iii) produce, hybridize and formalize from the entire agrifood system in designing and AgroParisTech, aims to raise awareness disseminated expert and scientific knowledge assessing solutions, and, most often; (iii) revamped and provide training in innovative design (digital design-support tools); (iv) imagine new coordination of activities and relationships and its use in research and innovation modes of production or processing, and changes between these actors, including researchers. activities, while supporting agrifood system in activity, required to implement them (e.g. land- Innovative design, in open innovation systems, actors in implementing the approach in use scenarios); and (v) analyze actors’ strategies, has proven to be a relevant approach to combine renewed innovation ecosystems. It offers networks and knowledge (diagnosis of the these three objectives and foster innovation to researchers and socioeconomic actors methods sociotechnical system) in order to enhance new feed transitions towards greater sustainability, to: (i) spur the creativity of agrifood system design organization strategies fostering systemic even if this approach is still uncommon and not stakeholders (innovation tracking, co-design and disruptive innovations. Contacts Marianne Cerf (SAD-APT, INRAE, France), marianne.cerf@inrae.fr Marie-Hélène Jeuffroy (Agronomie, INRAE, France), marie-helene.jeuffroy@inrae.fr Other authors Laura Le Du and Thibault Lefeuvre (Innovation, AgroParisTech, France) Jean-Marc Meynard (SAD-APT, INRAE, France) p Designing coupled innovations for legume- For further information based crop and food. • IDEAS platform, Initiative for Design in Agrifood Systems: © C. Gallagher and B. Schugt, 2012 www6.inrae.fr/ideas-agrifood • Meynard J.M., Jeuffroy M.H., Le Bail M., Lefèvre A., Magrini M.B., Michon C., 2017. Designing coupled innovations for the sustainability transition of agrifood systems? Agricultural Systems, 157: 330-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.08.002 • Cerf M., Jeuffroy M.H., Prost L., Meynard J.M., 2012. Participatory design of agricultural decision support tools: q Designing innovative farming systems targeting taking account of the use situations. Agron. Sustain. Dev., improved water quality management. © R. Reau 32(4): 899-910. 90 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Gender sensitivity and responsiveness to accelerate innovation adoption in crop improvement programs Sorghum is a highly valued income- With growing concern regarding the low adoption these decisions can influence breeding product generating food security crop that of new improved varieties, this study examined adoption. The study identified preferred supports the livelihoods of many people the trait preferences of men and women actors crop traits important for male and female in Mali and other West African countries. More in key sorghum value chains and, on the basis value chain actors and which could be than 50% of the farming population are involved of the findings, generated evidence based reflected and prioritized when designing in sorghum production, constituting up to 5-7% of information that could support gender-sensitive new sorghum cultivars. The findings revealed all full-time jobs. Despite its importance, sorghum and demand-driven breeding initiatives. Using that, while the traits were almost identical is produced under marginal and unpredictable the value chain approach and mixed methods between men and women in terms of marketing, climate conditions, with institutional regulations (semi-structured surveys, focus group discussions processing and consumption preferences, there and norms that control women’s and men’s (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs), data was clear trait differentiation at the production participation in the crop value chain. Gender- was collected from the main sorghum production level, i.e. women preferred traits related to food specific crop trait preferences are seldom areas in Mali (Koulikoro, Sikasso and Ségou) preparation and quality while men preferred high studied, understood or prioritized in from 343 producers, 34 traders, 139 processors, yield, early maturity, drought resistance, pest and breeding programs. Given that farmers are 57 consumers, and 224 FGD and KII participants, disease resistance. Hence, varietal choice is the main beneficiaries of the breeding products, for a total sample size of 797 respondents. related to resources and responsibilities there is a growing need to understand their The aim was to gain insight into why and differentially shared by men and women needs and preferences in order to develop how different groups and value chain actors involved in sorghum production. varieties that meet end-users’ needs/demands. make decisions on sorghum varieties and how Contacts Jummai O. Yila (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Mali), j.o.yila@cgiar.org Almamy Sylla (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Mali), a.sylla@cgiar.org For further information CGIAR Gender and Breeding Initiative. Gender-Responsive product profile development tool. Workshop Report. November 12-13, 2018. Ithaca, USA. https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/99094 t Women processors working in a cereal processing mill in Karangana, Sikasso region of Mali, (29 November 2019). © A. Sylla/ICRISAT-Mali Sorghum VC Three most important traits Segments Driver Agro-zones Female Male Yield (77%) Yield stability (90%) 600 mm-1400 mm Productivity Adaptable to low fertilizer Yield (51%) (Sudanese and Sahelian requirement s (92%) Early maturity (91%) agrozones) Resistance to weeds (94%) Biotic stress - Resistance to striga (87%) 600 mm-1400 mm resistance Resistance to diseases/ (Sudanese and Sahelian pests (94%) agrozones)Farmers Grain quality & food Easy for threshing (93%) 600 mm-1400 mm quality Food consistency (92%) Grain quality (77%) (Sudanese and Sahelian Food yield (91%) agrozones) Abiotic stress 600 mm-1400 mm resistance Drought resistance (92%) Drought resistance (82%) (Sudanese and Sahelian agrozones) Large grain size (98%) Large grain size (100%) 600 mm-1400 mm Grain quality White grain color (96%) White grain color (100%) (Sudanese and Sahelian Absence of testa (100%) Absence of testa (100%) agrozones) 600 mm-1400 mm Traders Architecture Glume openness (96%) Glume openness (100%) (Sudanese and Sahelian agro- zones) 600 mm-1400 mm Storability Grain storability (90%) Grain storability (95%) (Sudanese and Sahelian agrozones) Food yield (89%) Food yield (95%) 600 mm-1400 mm Processors End-product quality Consistency (88%) Consistency (95%) (Sudanese and Sahelian Grain diverse utilization (74%) Grain diverse utilization (94%) agrozones) p Proposed gender sensitive sorghum customer product profile based on trait preferences data collected from regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso and Segou (Mali), 91 November-December 2019. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Role of markets to re-establish a more direct connection between producers and consumers Linking urban consumers with rural producers through social businesses in Nairobi Mathare, while ICRISAT supports Greenforest with expertise in agroecology, aflatoxin testing and quality management. Greenforest supports farmers in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties transitioning towards agroecology-compliant peanut production, e.g. effective seed selection, organic soil management, crop rotations while reducing external inputs. In 2021, we conducted market studies in Mathare and the results revealed low awareness of aflatoxin among consumers and vendors/retailers. This highlights the need for increased awareness on food safety to reduce the risk of aflatoxin exposure through informal markets. We also explore ways for establishing direct connections between consumers and producers via a participatory guarantee system (PGS) while helping co-create sustainable linkages between producers and consumers. PGS creates trust between all value-chain actors. Although limited to one slum, the scheme will potentially deliver safe peanuts to 10,000 consumers. This case study should provide p Peanut stands in an informal street market in Mathare, Nairobi. © I. Edel stepping stones for scaling the impact pathway to accessible, high quality, nutritious, healthy peanuts Just about everyone eats peanuts in Kenya. food vendors and small shops) are an integral to other low-income markets across Kenya. They are used to make sauces and peanut component of the foodscape in slums. We co-butter, and are also a popular snack. create ways to streamline relations between Contacts These legumes are rich in protein, essential producers and urban consumers in Kenya minerals, fat and are therefore key sources through an agroecological lens. Michael Hauser (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Kenya), m.hauser@cgiar.org of energy. However, depending on the season, aflatoxins may develop on the outside and As part of a partnership with Greenforest Immaculate Edel (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Kenya), i.edel@cgiar.org inside of the kernels. Aflatoxin prevalence on Foods Limited, a Kenyan peanut processor, peanuts is high in the slums, which are home to ICRISAT is developing a business-to-sales 60-70% of the total urban population. Aflatoxins model for aflatoxin-tested peanuts. The goal is For further information are carcinogenic and contribute to stunting in to supply affordable safe peanuts to Mathare • African Population and Health Research Center children. In Kenyan slums, stunting levels remain —a Nairobi slum with over 400,000 inhabitants— (APHRC), 2014. Population and health dynamics in Nairobi’s informal settlements: report of the Nairobi cross-sectional slums higher than the national average. How would whilst maintaining distribution systems involving survey (NCSS) 2012. APHRC, Nairobi. it be possible to offer quality peanuts to low- street food vendors, hawkers and small shops. • Mupunga I., Mngqawa P., Katerere D.R., 2017. Peanuts, income consumers on informal markets? Informal Inspired by the solidarity economy, Greenforest aflatoxins and undernutrition in children in Sub-Saharan markets (i.e. unregulated and unprotected street builds value chains linking rural Kenya and Africa. Nutrients, 9(12): 1287. Towards hybrid governance of the cocoa sector in Cameroon to enhance economic and environmental sustainability The cocoa sector is facing a growing Three production systems for smallholder cocoa The monetarization of certain costs lowers demand—mainly from European farmers were compared: the net profit rate, which amounts to 15%, markets—to demonstrate the legality of 1. Non-certified small producers have a but reinforces the added value, which stands its production, its sustainability and the neutrality net profit rate of 4% and an added value at FCFA660,544/t. of its impact on tropical forests. In Cameroon, of FCFA471,984/t. This mode of cocoa the certification of cocoa according to private production is a low profit-making activity and Certification can therefore be highly standards could be an effective way to facilitate weakened by an increase in production costs. advantageous for smallholders by offering the production of legal, sustainable and zero- 2. P roducers in shaded agroforests involved in a higher purchase price for cocoa and deforestation cocoa. We tested this hypothesis certification receive support from purchasing above all by improving production through by studying the impact of cocoa certification companies of around FCFA80,000/year, thereby targeted support in terms of training, (UTZ-Rainforest Alliance, sustainable agriculture enhancing their financial performance. Their equipment and inputs. Overall, it has standard for farm and producer groups, v1.2, net profit rate is 24%. The added value is superseded the State in providing actual 2017) on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers estimated at FCFA486,102/t. support to small producers. …cont’d ☞ (owning a cocoa plantation of 0.5-5 ha), who 3. Grassland farmers in the Mbam region involved contribute to almost 90% of Cameroon’s in certification have much higher production 92 production. costs than cocoa farmers in forest areas. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Contact Final destination Final consumption Export of Export of Export of chocolate products certified beans beans (bulk) Guillaume Lescuyer (F&S, CIRAD/ CIFOR, CGIAR, France), 2,300 t 53,200 t 55,000 t 151,000 t guillaume.lescuyer@cirad.fr Processing Processors Exporter of beans For further information • Camargo M.C., Hogarth N.J., Certified Non-certified Pacheco P., Nhantumbo I., Kanninen M., 2019. Greening the dark side of chocolate: Certified Non-certified a qualitative assessment to Trade Middlemen inform sustainable supply chains. Cooperatives Environmental Conservation, 46: 9-16. • Lescuyer G., Boutinot L., Goglio P., Bassanaga S., 2020. Analysis of the cacao value chain of Production Small-scale farmers Small-scale farmers Medium-scale Large-scale Cameroon. European Commission in the forest in the savannah farmers farmers Report, DG-DEVCO, Value Chain Without support With support Analysis for Development project, Brussels, 121 p. + annexes. • Nlend Nkott A.L., Mathé S., Temple L., 2019. Analyse multi- Support services Public sector, private sector (inputs, certification) niveaux des freins à l’adoption de la certification du cacao au Cameroun. Économie rurale, 370: p The main flows of the cocoa value chain in Cameroon in 2019. Source: Lescuyer et al. (2020) 81-99. Consumer preference for rice with ecological, social and health certification labels Agroecological food production seeks to We conducted a choice experiment with agroecological principles helps ensure optimize interactions between humans 410 supermarket patrons to analyze Vietnamese economic sustainability for producers, in and the environment, with consideration consumers’ relative preferences and willingness- turn prompting them to adopt practices of social aspects that create a sustainable and to-pay for four rice certification labels: low- that have widespread collective social fair food system. In Vietnam, the rice sector is emission, eco-friendly, ethically produced, and and environmental benefits. The results characterized by a high carbon footprint, pesticide low glycemic index (Figures A and B). The of this study could be used to gain further overuse and low farm labor wages(1). Reducing results showed that consumers were willing insight into the consumer value of different these negative impacts while also ensuring food to pay a price premium for all certification certification labels and to guide future policy sovereignty is essential to agroecological rice labels, with the highest added value being a and market recommendations promoting production. The importance of conveying these, 66% increase in price for the low glycemic sustainably produced and healthier food, which is along with health attributes, to rice consumers index trait in rice. The findings for eco- a crucial step in shifting food systems towards an through food labels has been well documented(2). friendly and ethical production labels were agroecology paradigm. However, these components are often treated similar, with a price premium of just over 50%, as a single sustainability attribute and relatively while low-emission rice had a comparatively little research has been conducted to unravel lower, yet still positive, value for consumers, the relative weight consumers place on individual with a 28% price increase. Garnering a Contacts traits driving their purchasing decisions. premium for rice produced according to Ong Quoc Cuong (School of Economics, Can Tho Alternative A Alternative B Status Quo University, Vietnam), oqcuong@ctu.edu.vn Low-emission Low-emission • Low-emission Katherine M. Nelson (IRRI, CGIAR, Hanoi, Vietnam), k.nelson@irri.org Eco-friendly Eco-friendly • Eco-friendly Ethically produced • Ethically produced Ethically produced For further information Low glycemic index • Low glycemic index Low glycemic index (1) Stuart A.M., Devkota K.P., Sato T., Pame A.R.P., Price (VND/kg) 24,000 Price (VND/kg) 22,000 Price (VND/kg) 20,000 Balingbing C., Phung N.T.M., Kieu N.T., Hieu P.T.M., - Ethical production meets - Low-emission has a Long T.H., Beebout S., Singleton G.R., 2018. On-farm safe and fair working reduced carbon footprint assessment of different rice crop management practices in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using sustainability conditions - Eco-friendly meets strict performance indicators. Field Crops Research, 229: 103-114. - Low glycemic index ensures pesticide regulations (2) My N.H., Demont M., Van Loo E.J., de Guia A., a slower release of energy Rutsaert P., Tuan T.H., Verbeke W., 2018. What is the value of sustainably-produced rice? Consumer evidence from experimental auctions in Vietnam. Food Policy, 79: 283-296. p Figure A. Examples of certification labels representing, from left to right: ethical, low-emission, eco-friendly, and low-glycemic index rice. p Figure B. Cards showing alternative choices between rice labeled with different combinations of sustainability 93 and health certifications at different price points and status quo rice with no certification labels. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Leveraging nutrition objectives and food traditions for agroecology Benefits of underutilized crop species to improve nutrition Despite progress in mainstream Agroecology offers a holistic approach such as organoleptic qualities, recipes and health agriculture, roughly 800 thousand to help promote NUS production, benefits; (c) dissemination of general information people remain hungry and 2 billion marketing and consumption. Based on the on healthy diets; (iv) agroecology promotes suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, while 13 agroecological principles and focused on networks and alternative inclusive markets for overweight and obesity rates are increasing. NUS consumption and nutrition: (i) agroecology nutritious NUS products to reach consumers in Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) often fosters traditional knowledge, while substantial an equitable and safe way; and finally (v) in a study have better nutrient content than generally NUS production, harvesting, preservation, in Ecuador, agroecology fostered consumption adopted imported, counterparts and contain preparation and consumption knowledge remains of self-grown produce, thereby reducing health-protective secondary metabolites which confined to local populations(3); (ii) agroecology purchases of ultra-processed unhealthy foods in other crops might have lost during breeding. promotes production diversity, including NUS convenience stores(2). A highly diverse range of traditional foods can production, which contributes to dietary be considered NUS, including nutritious fruits, diversity and thus quality; e.g. diversifying vegetables, nuts and pulses or whole grains that with traditional leafy vegetables, legumes and are currently consumed in insufficient quantities poultry in a community-led project significantly by populations to ensure protection against diet- increased young child dietary diversity in Contacts related chronic diseases. Diet modelling studies Kenya(1); (iii) agroecology—through its movement Céline Termote (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, have shown that integrating NUS in local diets function—promotes social capital which in turn CGIAR, Kenya), c.termote@cgiar.org could contribute to closing nutrient gaps and fosters: (a) exchange of NUS seeds and foods; Gennifer Meldrum (Alliance of Bioversity International and reduce the cost of nutritious diets(4). (b) sharing of knowledge on NUS characteristics CIAT, CGIAR, Canada), g.meldrum@cgiar.org For further information (1) Boedecker J., Oduor F, Lachat C., Van Damme P., Kennedy G., Termote C., 2019. Participatory farm diversification and nutrition education increase dietary diversity in Western Kenya. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 15(3): e12803. (2) Deaconu A., Berti P.R., Cole D.C., Mercille G., Batal M., 2021. Agroecology and nutritional health: a comparison of agroecological farmers and their neighbors in the Ecuadorian highlands. Food Policy (in press). (3) Padulosi S., Thompson J., Rudebjer P., 2013. Fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition with neglected and underutilized species (NUS): needs, challenges and the way forward. Bioversity International, Rome. (4) Sarfo J., Keding G.B., Boedecker J., Pawelzik E., Termote C., 2020. The impact of local agrobiodiversity and food interventions on cost, nutritional adequacy, and affordability of women and children’s diet in northern Kenya: a modeling exercise. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7: 129. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00129 p Display of food agrobiodiversity from the Cachilaya community, Bolivia. © G. Meldrum/Bioversity International Diversifying crop and livestock production and arboriculture to foster varied diets and ensure food and nutrition security A frican farm households are often hampered by food and nutrition insecurity, even in regions with relatively high agricultural production levels. This is the case in the cotton and cereal growing areas of Mali and Burkina Faso, where food systems do not provide enough quality food for farmers to stay healthy(1). This situation—which is surprising at first glance—could be explained by: (i) the increase in women’s farming work, which comes with new responsibilities without any direct benefits because of their subordinate status in the household; (ii) the reduction in the amount of space available for new cropfields and the limited rights of access to natural areas where food may be harvested; (iii) the specialization of production systems; and (iv) the lack of healthy food products with a sufficiently high nutrient content while remaining affordable on rural 94 consumer markets(2). …cont’d ☞ p Women farmers in a cashew orchard, Burkina Faso. © A. Lourme-Ruiz, 2014 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems These different factors are conducive to a poorly For instance, market garden crops should be diversified diet. Two recent studies conducted promoted when water supplies are available, For further information in western Burkina Faso revealed that the daily trees bearing highly nutritional seeds could be (1) Dury, S., Bocoum, I., 2012. Le paradoxe de Sikasso diet of 80% of women does not meet their planted, and leguminous crops such as cowpeas (Mali) : pourquoi « produire plus » ne suffit-il pas pour micronutrient needs(3). Women living on farms could be produced in the light of their many bien nourrir les enfants des familles d’agriculteurs ? Cahiers with more nutritionally diversified production agronomic benefits (atmospheric nitrogen Agricultures, 21(5): 324-336. (including crops and agroforestry trees) generally sequestration, animal feed). More generally, (2) Lourme-Ruiz A., Maugérard E., 2014. Le paradoxe have a more varied diet (self-consumption). agricultural biodiversity has nutritional, agronomic des Hauts Bassins : produire plus pour nourrir mieux ? Film documentaire (41 min), CIRAD, Montpellier, France. Yet since access to markets or to natural and ecological benefits, but systems for assessing https://vimeo.com/120670833 areas cannot offset the lack of crop diversity, the services provided by this agrobiodiversity are (3) Lourme-Ruiz A., Dury S., Martin-Prével Y., 2016. women on specialized farms (cotton) have a still siloed and would warrant interdisciplinary Consomme-t-on ce que l’on sème ? Relations entre less diversified diet(4). In these regions, it is dialogue (agronomy, nutrition, ecology)(4). diversité de la production, revenu agricole et diversité recommended that—to develop farming alimentaire au Burkina Faso. Cahiers Agricultures, 25(6): 11. Contacts systems that are ‘nutrition-sensitive’ or RELAX project, Promoting resilience in African rural at least likely to adequately feed women Sandrine Dury (MOISA, CIRAD, France), households: Food systems at a crossroads: sandrine.dury@cirad.fr farmers—crops should be diversified https://relax.cirad.fr/le-projet/presentation according to their nutritional features. Yves Martin-Prével (MOISA, IRD, France), (4) Lourme-Ruiz A., Dury S., Martin-Prével Y., 2021. yves.martin-prevel@ird.fr Linkages between dietary diversity and indicators of Alissia Lourme-Ruiz (MOISA, IRD, France), agricultural biodiversity in Burkina Faso. Food Security. alissia.lourme-ruiz@ird.fr https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-020-01137-5 Delivering diversified diets year-round with customized food tree portfolios Smallholder food production in sub-Saharan Africa is dominated by starchy staple crops. The availability of micronutrient-rich crops like fruits and vegetables is highly season- dependent, which is one reason for the low consumption. Limited value chain infrastructure, issues of affordability and lack of consumer awareness also hamper adequate consumption. Trees provide almost 60% of fruits globally, constituting an important supplier, particularly in local food systems. When considering production seasonality, tree food portfolios could be promoted to ensure year-round harvests and deliver key micronutrients for diets(1). Through an iterative process, portfolios are codeveloped with local communities based on their species preferences, food priorities, income and other uses, and are customized for site suitability. Standardized tools, including surveys, are used to gather information on farm production diversity and food consumption, in addition to focus group discussions conducted to determine species for inclusion, their months of availability and nutritional value. This agroecological approach helps generate tailored recommendations for the cultivation of a diverse range of food tree species (including underutilized species), along with vegetables, pulses and staple crops. In addition to filling harvest gaps, certain nutrient gaps are addressed by mapping the nutritional value of selected species using food composition data. …cont’d ☞ p Customized food tree portfolio for Igambe Ngombe, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. 95 A diversity of food tree species, along with complementary vegetable, pulse and staple crops are prioritized with local communities, and mapped for their months of seasonal availability, and micronutrient values to address seasonal food harvest and micronutrient gaps in local diets. © ICRAF Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems Key micronutrients, vitamins A and C, iron essential for successful production, with attention and folate are prioritized to address public focused on delivery systems for planting material health concerns on the basis of their supportive being a key success factor for mainstreaming functions and natural high quantity in tree foods. underutilized or ‘orphan crops’(2). The For further information To simplify nutrition information, a scoring customized portfolios enhance seasonal system accompanies the customized portfolios to food resilience and diversified diets in local (1) McMullin S., Njogu, Wekesa B., Gachuiri A., Ngethe E., Stadlmayr B., Jamnadass R., Kehlenbeck K., 2019. support the species selection. However, this data food systems. Developing fruit tree portfolios that link agriculture more is limited with regard to underutilized species Contact effectively with nutrition and health: a new approach —a knowledge gap due to inadequate Stepha McMullin (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), for providing year-round micronutrients to smallholder investment and hence research is hampering a s.mcmullin@cgiar.org farmers. Food Security, 11: 1355-1372. full contribution of these species in local food https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-019-00970-7 systems. Portfolios are promoted to communities Other authors (2) McMullin S., Stadlmayr B., Mausch K., Revoredo- through innovation hubs and school programmes Giha C., Burnett F., Guarino L., Brouwer I.D, Jamnadass R., Barbara Stadlmayr (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/University of Graudal L., Powell W., Dawson I., 2021. Determining in which agronomic and nutrition information Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria) appropriate interventions to mainstream nutritious orphan is shared and access to quality planting material Erick Ngethe, Roeland Kindt and Ramni Jamnadass (ICRAF, crops into African food systems. Global Food Security, 28. is facilitated. Quality seed and seedlings are CGIAR, Kenya) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100465 Synergies and tradeoffs between crop diversity, nutritional yield and farm income in the Central Africa Great Lakes Region Managing biodiversity and economic research in Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic and nutritional yield, for nine macro- and diversification are two key principles Republic of Congo as part of the Consortium micronutrients. Here we found an ‘n’ trend of of agroecology(1). Diversified farming for Improving Agricultural Livelihoods in Central farm-scale crop diversity and nutrient yields, systems aim to integrate ecological and economic Africa (CIALCA)* which contains household with nutritional yields being highest on farms benefits for sustainable agriculture(2). However, it and agricultural information from more cultivating three to four crops and lowest on is sometimes hypothesized that there might be a than 4,000 agricultural households those cultivating one or six crops (Figure C). tradeoff between crop diversity and productivity in Rwanda, Burundi and DRC(4). When The outputs of this work suggest that or income(2,3). Ecological-economic performance analyzing the CIALCA-Base at the farm scale, managing farm-scale crop diversity could of farming diversification practices are highly no tradeoffs between crop diversity and be beneficial for nutritional yields without context dependent(2). Using data from the income or between crop diversity and a tradeoff on total yield or income. CIALCA-Base(4), we assessed this hypothesis for total productivity were identified (Figures A the African Great Lakes context. The CIALCA- and B). To complement this, we also analyzed the Base is a dataset developed over 10 years of relationship between farm-scale crop diversity * CIALCA: www.cialca.org Contacts Rhys Manners (IITA, CGIAR, Rwanda), r.manners@cgiar.org Roseline Remans (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Belgium), r.remans@cgiar.org For further information (1) HLPE, 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome. (2) Rosa-Schleich J., Loos J., Mußhoff O., Tscharntke T., 2019. Ecological-economic trade-offs of diversified farming systems – A review. Ecological Economics, 160: 251-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecolecon.2019.03.002 (3) Mugwanya N., 2019. Why agroecology is a dead end for Africa. Outlook on Agriculture, 48(2): 113-116. doi:10.1177/0030727019854761 (4) CIALCA-Base indicators: https://cialca.shinyapps.io/cialca_base_2files t The relationships in the CIALCA Great Lakes context between: income log USD (international 2019) (fig. A) and crop diversity, total farm production log ton and crop diversity (fig. B), nutritional yields (number of adults who obtain 100% of their RDA/ha/year) and crop diversity (fig. C). The figure was designed by the authors based on data from the CIALCA-base, containing >4,000 smallholder farms 96 in the Great Lakes Region in DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Reconnecting consumers and producers through information on alternative food networks R econnecting consumers and producers countries have determined the nutritional recognizing culturally relevant foods in national through alternative food networks is a key value of almost 200 native food plant food-based dietary guidelines. In Kenya, schools stage in the transition towards sustainable species, while making this data available were identified as new emerging markets for food systems based on localness, equity and through national databases and the global smallholder farmers using agroecological practices justice(2). Interventions which: strengthen the FAO/INFOODS database. This knowledge to supply biodiverse foods for school meals. evidence-base on the nutritional value of diverse has been used in many novel ways. The first Collaboration with celebrity chefs, education, foods; establish supportive enabling policies and official Brazilian Native Food Species of Nutritional school gardens and public awareness and food markets that incentivize family farmers and their Value list was recently compiled—this ordinance fairs, such as the Alaçatı Festival in Turkey and agroecological products; and creatively use and officially defines and recognizes over 100 native Helabojun food outlets in Sri Lanka that enhance celebrate food diversity that is nutritious, tasty and food species. This has helped target already women’s livelihoods, have all helped raise the culturally relevant, help bring this reconnection existing supportive policies for agroecology and profile of food diversity, reconnect producers and closer. The Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition procurement markets (e.g. the National School consumers and promote healthy sustainable diets. (BFN) project*, using a stakeholder-inclusive and Feeding Programme), which provide incentives cross-sectoral approach in Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka for family farmers and agroecological products. * BFN project: www.cgiar.org/innovations/biodiversity-for-food-and-nutrition/ and Turkey, demonstrates how countries can fast The ordinance also supports the development track this transition through recent achievements of quality labels recognizing family farming Contacts and lessons learned(1,3). Collectively, the four and Quilombos do Brasil food products, while Teresa Borelli (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Italy), t.borelli@cgiar.org Danny Hunter (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Australia), d.hunter@cgiar.org For further information (1) Gee E., Borelli T., Beltrame D.M.O., Oliveira C.N.S., Coradin L., Wasike V., Manjella A., Samarasinghe G., Güner B., Tan A., et al., 2020. The ABC of mainstreaming biodiversity for food and nutrition. Concepts, theory and practice. In Hunter D., et al. (eds): Biodiversity food and nutrition. A new agenda for sustainable food systems. Routledge: Abingdon, UK. (2) Gliessman S.R., 2007. The ecology of sustainable food systems. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis New York, US. (3) Hunter D., Borelli T., Beltrame D., Oliveira C., Coradin L., Wasike V., Mwai J., Manjella A., Samarasinghe G., Madhujith T., Nadeeshani H., Tan A., Tugrul Ay S., Güzelsoy N., Lauridsen N., Gee E., Tartanac F., 2019. The potential of neglected and underutilized species for improving diets and nutrition. Planta, 250(3): 709-729. (4) Hunter D., Borelli T., Gee E., 2020. Biodiversity, food and nutrition: a new agenda for sustainable food systems. p Working with nutritionists and celebrity chefs to develop novel recipes using traditional foods has renewed Routledge, UK. interest in forgotten foods. © S. Landersz/BFN Project/Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/108172 Wild fruit from forests in Zambia Many people collect and consume wild agroecology can contribute to this objective. five areas encompassing all agroecological zones foods from forests all over the world. Quantifying the degree to which wild foods are of the country. We found that, in a sample Collection of wild foods can be seen harvested, managed and consumed can inform of 209 households, wild fruits from forests as part of a continuum with agroecology as many both agroecological policies and national food contributed approximately 80% to total fruit wild food sources are managed by communities security and nutrition programs. intake and to about 25% of recommended in their natural habitats (especially forests), while fruit intake, i.e. Zambians are very far from agroecology-oriented farmers manage natural In 2019, CIFOR in collaboration with the Food meeting nutritional recommendations on fruit processes in their cultivated fields. In addition, and Agriculture Organization of the United consumption (see figure). This highlights the many wild food sources can be domesticated, Nations (FAO), carried out a research project importance of conserving and sustainably and form part of agroecology’s on-farm portfolio. to measure the collection and consumption managing forests and agroecosystems that However, quantitative data on wild foods, of wild foods across Zambia. The study used can produce these foods. including variations in collection patterns within a 1-year recall period to capture the countries, are seldom accounted for in national seasonal nature of most wild foods, and or international statistics. The sustainable an innovative method to ensure that management of the forest and agricultural land household collecting units were quantified resources that supply these foods is key, and correctly. The project was carried out in Contacts For further information Amy Ickowitz (CIFOR, CGIAR, Indonesia), • Bélanger J., Pilling D. (eds.), 2019. The state of a.ickowitz@cgiar.org the World’s biodiversity for food and agriculture. E. Ashley Steel (FAO, Italy), ashley.steel@fao.org FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Assessments. FAO, Rome, 572 p. Lubomba Bwembelo (CIFOR, CGIAR, Zambia), www.fao.org/3/CA3129EN/CA3129EN.pdf lubombabwembelo@gmail.com • Rowland D., Ickowitz A., Powell B., Nasi R., Sunderland T., Wild Fruit (45.2g) 2017. Forest foods and healthy diets: quantifying the Other authors contributions. Environmental Conservation, 44(2): 102-114. 97 Akatama Mulani, Alice Likando Masheke Siamutondo, Total Fruit Other (10.8g) Penias Banda, Davison Gumbo and Kaala Moombe (CIFOR, Intake (56g) CGIAR, Zambia) Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Designing territorial food systems Agroecological transitions and local food self-sufficiency assessment From the isotropic circle to the archipelago foodshed R egionalization of food systems for complex of complementary components, i.e. the (e.g. periurban agricultural diagnostic tool shortening supply chains and developing so-called foodshed archipelago (Figure). This developed in collaboration with land development local agriculture to feed city regions methodology is particularly promising in and rural settlement public societies (SAFER). raises specific food planning and policy challenges. the context of agroecological transitions * DIVERCROP project (2017/21, Arimnet2), Land system dynamics in Existing foodshed approaches assess the towards sustainable food systems because the Mediterranean Basin across scales as relevant indicator for species theoretical capacity of food self-sufficiency of it highlights mechanisms that connect diversity and local food systems: https://divercropblog.wordpress.com** Aliville research-action project (2016/19, Fondation de France), a given region, but they fall short in taking the global to local aspects. It can then be used Participative foresight for the re-location of urban agri-food diversity of existing crops and food chains in a participatory approach to build a collective system and supply of Avignon public canteens with local products; H2020 FoodSHIFT 2030 project (2020-24, H2020-SFS-2018-2020), into account. This results in the target area shared vision of the transformation based on local Food system hubs innovating towards fast transition by 2030: being mapped as an isotropic circle around stakeholder and expert knowledge connecting https://foodshift2030.eu the city without regard for the site-specific the environment, economy and society. pedoclimatic, geographical and socioeconomic conditions. Furthermore, the multilevel aspect In this perspective, in the living labs framework**, of food systems remains a remarkable scientific we specifically analyze the role of public school challenge to integrate stakeholders’ local vision food procurement as a driver to improve the and global statistical data and thus tailor regional capacity of cities to green their food system, and Contacts food security-oriented policies. To help fill this notably local farming. We highlight its crucial role Esther Sanz Sanz (Ecodéveloppement, INRAE, gap, we have developed a comprehensive to boost strategic alliances among territorial France/Leibniz Centre for Agricultural methodology using mixed methods in a actors and analyze the conditions required to Landscape Research, Germany), participatory modelling approach linking extend the farm-to-fork transition from school esther.sanz-sanz@inrae.fr different spatial levels (Mediterranean, catering to the territorial food system (scale Claude Napoléone (Ecodéveloppement, INRAE, regional, local)*. Significantly, our findings up) to benefit all consumers(2). Beyond the France), claude.napoleone@inrae.fr revealed that the analysis must be shifted from methodological contribution (e.g. modelling Michel Mouléry (Ecodéveloppement, INRAE, foodshed size assessment to a commodity- approach(1)), findings are used to support urban France), michel.moulery@inrae.fr group specific spatial configuration based on food strategies (e.g. the implementation of green For further information biophysical and socioeconomic features— home-grown school feeding programs) and the foodshed assessment thereby becomes a inform public decisions on land-use planning (1) Boussougou G., Sanz Sanz E., Napoléone C., Martinetti D., 2021. Identifying agricultural areas with potential for city connections: a regional- scale methodology for urban planning. Land Use Policy, 103: 105321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105321 (2) Sanz Sanz E. (in press), Public procurement as a booster of medium-scale food supply chains. The case of Avignon, France. In Swensson L., et al. (eds): Public food procurement for sustainable food systems and healthy diets. FAO, UFRGS and Bioversity International. (3) Vicente-Vicente J.L., Sanz-Sanz E., Napoléone C., Moulery M., Piorr A., 2021. Foodshed, agricultural diversification and self- sufficiency assessment: beyond the isotropic circle foodshed. A case study from Avignon p Three-step methodological approach used to shift the focus of a foodshed analysis from an assessment of its size (isotropic (France). Agriculture, 11: 143. circle) to its assessment as a complex of complementary pieces (foodshed archipelago). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11020143 Urban agriculture and nutritional, health and environmental impacts in Bamako (Mali) Large African metropolitan cities like Bamako (Mali) are facing high population growth and environmental changes that are prompting changes in people’s lifestyles, particularly in their food consumption patterns, in addition to uncontrolled urban and periurban agriculture development. Given these food and environmental challenges, it is essential to accurately assess the food and health situation in Bamako. The AGRISAN* project, funded by the French Embassy in Mali, aims to characterize household food consumption patterns and their impacts in terms of public health, sanitary and environmental risks, as well as urban and periurban agricultural practices. …cont’d ☞ 98 p A kiosk-type food shop. © Y. Kameli/IRD/MOISA Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Recommendations will then and profenofos). The direct beneficiaries of this be drawn up regarding the project are the District of Bamako, the Ministries implementation of suitable of Health and Environment, NGOs, the higher prevention policies on the basis education and research sector, the Institute of the findings. Specific emphasis of Rural Economy (IER), as well as the urban is placed on the food consumption population. Farmers are also key beneficiaries patterns of urban communities and as they could benefit from better productivity their impact on health, particularly and improved quality of the products marketed, with regard to non-communicable as well as consumers who will thus have access diseases, and the nutritional status to healthy foods from short food supply chains. of women and children. *AGRISAN project (Urban agriculture, food and nutritional security) in Mali (video): Agricultural practices have been www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hB7gqQi5Yk&pbjreload=101 monitored in terms of pesticide use in market gardening and the impacts Contacts on water quality. An analysis of Marjorie Le Bars (SENS, IRD, France), pesticide residue levels in irrigation marjorie.le-bars@ird.fr water for market gardening is Yves Kameli (MOISA, IRD, France), yves.kameli@ird.fr underway using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) For further information p An unprotected farmer conducting a herbicide at the Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology (LBMA) in Bamako. We have Kameli Y., Meunier J., Besancon S., Savy M., Martin-Prevel Y., treatment in his field. © M. Le Bars/IRD/SENS selected 14 active ingredients from pesticide 2020. Alarming rates of obesity and diabetes in urban Africa: a case study in Bamako, Mali. Current Developments products used in market gardening that present in Nutrition, 4(2): 215. environmental risks (e.g. acetochlor, paraquat https://doi. org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_066 Transition to healthy, sustainable local food in rural areas TEASER-lab in Mirecourt (France) The French rural area around Mirecourt The transition under way in the Mirecourt area and implementation of actions. This (Vosges plain) is experiencing the harsh is based on the premise that societal transition collective project has triggered a territorial reality of social decline due to the current requires high involvement of diverse people agroecological transition around Mirecourt in ongoing urbanization trend: negative population commited to jointly defining a future in a process various ways(4): collective action and the creation growth, the ‘job drain’, increased unemployment facilitated by a range of different modalities of of common goods contributes to the political and poverty, highly specialized agriculture engagement(2). Actors are thus cooperating in empowerment of those involved; agricultural producing raw materials for the food industry this project via different actions (growing produce and culinary choices giving rise to organic (milk, beef and cereals), in conventional farming in community gardens and vegetable plots, farming products, thereby enhancing ecological systems, but also often in certified organic farms. providing market outlets for organic and local production; the inclusion of disadvantaged people In 2016, a mutual desire for change prompted commodities(3), and offering meals at recreational (migrants, disabled people, people requiring food meetings and exchanges between associative sites that are prepared with local and organic aid) are involved in the project and thus socially and institutional organizations (including INRAE ingredients, etc.), and shared values (cooperation, reintegrated in the area. Mirecourt(1)) in the area, in turn leading to the trust, education, mutual respect for others and emergence of a common project aimed at jointly the environment). Different forms of project contributing to a territorial transition towards participation are pivotal to this action- job-friendly, healthy, sustainable local food. based approach: reflection, management Contacts Fabienne Barataud (ASTER, INRAE, France), fabienne.barataud@inrae.fr Xavier Coquil (Territoires, INRAE, France), xavier.coquil@inrae.fr For further information (1) Coquil X., Anglade J., Barataud F., Brunet L., Durpoix A., Godfroy M., 2019. TEASER-lab : concevoir un territoire pour une alimentation saine, localisée et créatrice d’emplois à partir de la polyculture-polyélevage autonome et économe. La diversification des productions sur le dispositif expérimental Aster-Mirecourt. Innovations Agronomiques, 72: 61-75. (2) Gamache G., Anglade J., Fèche R., Barataud F., Mignolet C., Coquil X., 2020. Can living labs offer a pathway to support local agri-food sustainability transitions? Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 37: 93-107. (3) Fèche R., Barataud F., 2019. Agroecological farmers’ cooperation for shared commercialisation and rural population access to healthy food: is living-lab a support? Presented at European Society of Rural Sociology (ESRS) in Trondheim (Norway) in June 2019. (4) Coquil X., Barataud F., Fèche R., 2021. À Mirecourt, l’autre façon de vivre la transition. Publication on the Visionscarto website (January 25, 99 p Collective work in a vegetable crop plot involving association members and technical staff. © R. Fèche 2021): https://visionscarto.net/mirecourt Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems Wasteborne nutrient recycling A missing link in territorial food systems A lthough recycling of organic waste structural constraints. The implementation of a products (OWPs) in agriculture is an participatory approach with three coordination age-old practice on a plot scale, this levels (Figure) covering several years has given strategy is largely overlooked today despite rise to several scenarios, including: a ‘minimal’ the large volumes of OWPs of multiple origins scenario whereby co-compost based on (manure, slurry, compost, sewage plant sludge, livestock manure and green waste is produced; industrial effluents) accumulating in congested and an ‘optimal’ scenario that expands on the areas. The current agroecological trend calls for first scenario with the emergence of a second its reintroduction, but implementing this strategy sector involving organic and organomineral Contacts in highly complex territories and agroecosystems fertilizer production. Yet the use of concentrated Tom Wassenaar (Recycling and Risk, CIRAD, France), requires the organization of real recycling chains fertilizers dictated by the numerous territorial tom.wassenaar@cirad.fr underpinned by concerted efforts between constraints would limit the potential in situ Frédéric Feder (Recycling and Risk, CIRAD, France), multiple stakeholders. Our studies—based agroecological benefits. Implementation of the frederic.feder@cirad.fr on applied analytical territory-specific optimal scenario would nevertheless eventually research—are geared towards the design reduce the reliance on imported fertilizers For further information of tailored recycling scenarios endorsed in the study area by at least half, if not more. • Queste, J., Wassenaar, T., 2019. A practical dialogue by all. Research is ongoing to enhance this approach. protocol for sustainability science to contribute to It is being tailored for implementation in several regional resources management: its implementation in Réunion. Natural Resources Forum, 43(1): 3-16. An original and generic approach has been food systems and urban-rural focal areas in sub- applied in western Réunion*. In addition to Saharan Africa and South America. The systems • Wassenaar T., Queste, J., Paillat, J.-M., 2016. Le recyclage agricole des résidus organiques : une ressource naturelle increased OWP volumes and limited spreading targeted for the study areas will be defined on pour en préserver d’autres. Agronomie, Environnement & possibilities, difficulties in organizing and managing the basis of a functional rather than geographical Société, 6(1): e12. OWP recycling networks on a territorial scale spatial concept (as is the case in the island are due to inadequate interactions between situation of Réunion). * GIROVAR Project: Integrated management of organic resides by agricultural recycling in Réunion. OWP producers and end-users, and not to p Iterative codesign process. Adapted from Queste & Wassenaar (2019) 100 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Strengthening research-policy links for agrifood system transformation in Zimbabwe In Zimbabwe(1), agrifood system vulnerabilities produced foods to strengthen food and in input and output market infrastructure, reflect multiple overlapping crises that nutrition security of the most vulnerable environmentally sound and productivity-threaten food security. They also offer populations. enhancing technologies and inclusive an opportunity to strengthen and transform development interventions. Our analyses local food systems so as to improve economic Climate change threatens farming systems, have enhanced the understanding of how conditions, environmental sustainability and particularly farms with large cattle herds due concerted efforts by various food system actors, resilience to future shocks. To identify equitable to feed shortages. Mobility restrictions under including decision makers, help more effectively and sustainable development pathways, our COVID-19 lockdown has further worsened the increase the availability and affordability of analysis combined an integrated modelling long-term impacts, causing a loss of livelihoods, nutritious foods by incentivizing food production approach(2) with agricultural strategies codesigned food, nutrition/income security, human safety diversification. The outcomes inform stakeholder with national experts from various sectors. We and wellbeing, especially for women and girls. engagements and national-level policy decision investigated how specific crop-livestock farming Strategic approaches(3) to sustainable agricultural makers(4) on equitable and sustainable food systems could be tailored to address food system development include a switch to growing systems, providing a knowledge base on disruptions caused by climate change and the substantially more food and feed legumes in blockages, inefficiencies and opportunities COVID-19 shock. We identified economic farming systems, supporting organic soil fertility in current food value chains. The results will vulnerabilities and consequences faced by improvement and increased livestock ownership, feed into the ongoing codesign of mid-term farmers, innovative coping mechanisms of especially among resource-poor farmers. strategies for the Government of Zimbabwe other food system actors and value chain However, in order to achieve sustainable farm and humanitarian organizations, while supporting responses. In particular, we identified income growth, livelihood improvement and sustainable and climate resilient agrifood systems entry points to support a transition farming system resilience, these approaches through nuanced agricultural, food security and towards a more diverse range of locally need to be accompanied by investments nutrition interventions and food procurement. Rural urban staple food value chain p Customizing sustainable development pathways for agrifood systems to reduce vulnerability to climate change and other shocks. Source: Valdivia et al. (2019). Contacts Valdivia R., 2021. Transforming smallholder crop–livestock American Institute for cooperation on agriculture-climate Sabine Homann-Kee Tui (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Malawi), systems in the face of climate change: stakeholder- change, natural resources and management of production s.homann@cgiar.org driven multi-model research in semi-arid Zimbabwe. In risks and the agricultural model intercomparison and Rosenzweig C., et al. (eds.): Handbook of climate change and improvement project. A policy brief presented at the Joint Caroline Hambloch (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Malawi), agroecosystems: climate change and farming system planning Inter-American Agricultural Ministers Exchange. Pre-COP c.hambloch@cgiar.org in Africa and South Asia: AgMIP stakeholder-driven research (in 25, San José. Roberto Valdivia (Department of Applied Economics, 2 parts) (vol. 5). World Scientific Publishing. Oregon State University, USA), https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/Q0259 Acknowledgements roberto.valdivia@oregonstate.edu (3) Homann-Kee Tui S., Valdivia R.O., Descheemaeker K., This work was carried out with financial support from Senda T., Masikati P., Makumbe M.T., Van Rooyen A., 2020. the UK Government’s Department for International For further information Crop-livestock integration to enhance ecosystem services Development and Foreign, Commonwealth and (1) Hambloch C., Homann-Kee Tui S., Ojewo C.O., 2020. in sustainable food systems, In Rusinamhodzi L. (ed.): The Development Office; the International Development Stronger local food value chains can leave eastern and role of ecosystem services in sustainable food systems. Elsevier, Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada, and the CGIAR southern Africa more resilient post COVID-19. chapter 8: 141-163. Research Program CCAFS. Inputs from project www.preventionweb.net/news/view/71602 (4) Valdivia R., Antle J., Homann-Kee Tui S., Mutter C., collaborators M. Madajewicz and C. Mutter also (2) Homann-Kee Tui S., Masikati P., Descheemaeker K., Evengaard A., Ruane A., Witkowski K., 2019. Enhancing appreciated. The views expressed herein are those of the 101 Sisito G., Francis B., Senda T., Crespo O., Moyo E.N., agricultural production and food security amid a changing creators and do not necessarily represent those of the climate: a new approach to inform decision-making. The Inter- organizations. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Identifying and overcoming constraints within food systems Foresight agroecology in India by 2050 The AgroEco2050 study (2019-2021) aims farming was already being practiced by around Challenges for Feeding the World in 2050’ global to explore the implications of contrasted 700,000 farmers in Andhra Pradesh, with the foresight initiative (2006-2010). It will be carried scenarios—conventional industrial hope that this would increase to 6 million out using collective expertise and the quantitative agriculture vs agroecology—for the future of farmers and 8 Mha by 2027. It attracted the ‘Agribiom’ tool/model(2). Substantial time- agriculture, food and welfare in Andhra Pradesh, attention of a few other states in India, the consuming data collection and modelling since a southern Indian state. The study also aims to central government, national and international the 1970s are currently being carried out by contribute to national and international debates institutions(1). In this context, it is important to the research team on many parameters (human and research on agroecology and future of food explore the implications of such an option based and animal populations, GDP, land use, land and and agriculture. Since 2016, the Government of on rigorous evidence and a multi-stakeholder labor productivity, diets, etc.). An interactive Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has been committed process. interface is being built to screen and discuss to scaling up climate-resilient and community- past developments and future scenarios with managed ‘natural farming’—an approach based The AgroEco2050 foresight study intends to an expert group of stakeholders (policymakers, on regenerative agriculture principles. Natural explore what impacts on farmers’ livelihood, scientists, civil society, farmers) at workshops farming, which emphasizes healthy soils and land use, productivity, nutrition, public finance throughout 2020 and 2021. The study landscape regeneration, highly diversified and and other aspects could be expected by 2050 —co-constructed with policymakers of synergistic crop/livestock production, no pesticide if Andhra Pradesh were to move to a ‘natural Andhra Pradesh—will support evidence- or synthetic fertilizer usage, involvement of farming at scale’ scenario, compared to the based policy decisions in the State. The self-help groups and farmer-centered learning, impacts of a ‘deepening conventional agriculture’ findings will also be of prime interest for is seen as part of the science, movement and scenario. The methodology is based on the other Indian states and worldwide. practice of agroecology. As of April 2020, natural CIRAD-INRAE ‘Agrimonde: ‘Scenario and Contact Bruno Dorin (CIRED, CIRAD, France), bruno.dorin@cirad.fr For further information (1) Dorin B., 2021. Theory, Practice and Challenges of Agroecology in India, International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2021.1920760 (2) Dorin B., Joly P.-B., 2020. Modelling world agriculture as a learning machine? From mainstream models to Agribiom 102 1.0. Land Use Policy, 96(July). doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.09.028 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 103 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Chapter 5 Building a new global food system based on equity, participation, democracy and justice This chapter addresses an essential issue of the agroecological is one example of the value of Level 5 thinking. The growing food justice transition, which is much more than simply a set of innovative movement, where everyone in the food system enjoys the benefits of agricultural practices and techniques. An agroecological transition equity, justice, security, and sustainability, is another.” He then wraps up by: gives rise to alternative ways of managing agricultural production, as outlined “Building a new global food system, based on equity, participation, in the first three chapters of this Dossier but go beyond this and incorporate democracy, and justice, that is not only sustainable but helps aspects of equity, democracy, and justice at the food system level, from the restore and protects earth’s life support systems upon which we farm to the fork. Beyond the aspects developed and illustrated in Chapter 4 all depend”. (page 80), the focus here is on the far-reaching transformations in value chains, business models and funding sources, and in the socioeconomic This is of course not self-evident and is particularly demanding for dynamics in territories, as a result of agroecological approaches applied in those who pursue this pathway. For the scientific community, it implies a a diverse range of specific situations with a diversity of food system actors. realignment of the research agenda that adopts a systemic perspective on These transformations result in changes in the terms of interaction between agriculture, advances research on circularity of agricultural and food systems, agricultural and food system actors conducive to more environment-friendly and on social equity on farms, territories, value chains, and in policies and and equitable, to the mutual benefit of producers and consumers. institutions affecting food systems. This realignment of the research agenda goes hand in hand with the awareness that availability and access to healthy In keeping with our initial choice of structuring according to the levels and nutritious food is the result of political economy dynamics within food outlined by Stephen Gliessman, as he outlines in the following terms: “By systems. Any research aimed at supporting agroecological transitions at thinking beyond Levels 1-4, Level 5 involves change that is global in scope scale must therefore encompass three strategic moves: developing theories and reaches beyond the food system to the nature of human culture, of change based on strengthened systems research, focusing on process civilization, progress and development. The depth of change is more than research to inform impact pathways of development partners, and engaging mere conversion or transition, and enters into the realm of full reform in an open dialogue about fundamental questions related to agricultural or transformation. With Level 5 thinking and action, agroecology provides development and food systems models, strategies and finance. ways to build upon farm-scale and farmer-driven change processes to a full re-thinking of how we all relate to each other and to the earth that supports The following contributions illustrate the current state of research us. Basic beliefs, values, and ethical systems change. The expanding awareness geared towards the development of a new global food system based that is part of this process then extends to other facets of environmental on examples drawn from real-life situations. They are organized in three and social relationships beyond food, bringing about a paradigm shift focused groups: Improving value chains by agroecology, i.e. how agroecological on how the agriculture and food systems of the future can help reduce our approaches create and enhance the value of agricultural products beyond ecological footprint, recognize that there are limits to growth, and what it their mere commodity status and the social issues in supply chains; really means to live sustainably. The important role that food systems can Collective action, knowledge co-generation, linking products and and must play in mitigating and adapting to climate change as a global issue territory, underlining that one of the issues agroecology has put back on the q Buvuma Island cassava plantation, Uganda. © HansVellema/TBI 104 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems agenda concerns collective entities and heterogenous conditions—building produced sustainably, such as participatory guarantee systems (PGS), as the future is a joint venture that fosters the diversity and complementarity illustrated by Nadia Bergamini with regard to on original initiatives in Cuba, of agricultural contexts and knowledge, i.e. it is not merely a question of and by Estelle Biénabe and Claire Cerdan through specific examples from pooling the technical and economic efficiency of separate individuals and three continents. Moreover, Allison Loconto points out that PGSs have now interventions but of bringing together the diversity of actors interplaying widespread in 76 countries in the Global South, which do not have the in those agricultural contexts to achieve a common goal; and finally conventional certification and control instruments that are available to certify Innovative business models and finance, which looks at the resources, organic farming practices in the Global North. Moreover, any kind of collective markets, and business alliances required to facilitate agroecological transition action may only take place if essential learning and knowledge exchange processes via innovative financing methods. processes are under way within these organized spaces and collectives, not only between peers but also between stakeholders in these territories, as In the first part, Improving value chains via agroecology, the first three illustrated by the contributions of François Affholder and Aurélie Toillier. contributions illustrate how a revision of usual marketing patterns gives The next two contributions of Marc Piraux and Carmen Gervet et al. meaning and value to products, while contributing to the recognition of showcase the importance of the relationships within a collective to manage women’s essential role in these processes with regard to the production of common goods within their space of action, i.e. a territory. Finally, the last palm oil (Ihalainen et al.), coffee (Gallagher et al.) and shea butter (Wardell contribution by Éric Sabourin and Jean-François Le Coq argues in favor of et al.). In the following contribution, Hugo de Vries shows how—with the territorialized public policies that support agroecological development. help of innovative technologies—by-products can be transformed into co-products, thereby generating diversity in monoculture conditions. Hostiou Four texts contribute to the innovative business models and finance et al. stress that agricultural work must be taken into account in its various research: Nelson and Sander’s study stresses that agroecological rice dimensions so as to highlight the values it contributes to the production systems are beneficial from the carbon emissions perspective and should be system, and in turn to the derived products, whose value is not based given greater recognition and benefit from the carbon credit market. Stoian exclusively on their intrinsic quality but also on all factors that contribute to et al. assess the relevance of inclusive forms of business models for small- their production process. scale oil palm, cocoa and coffee farmers to enable them to benefit more fully from the allocation of added value in industrialized value chains. The next The second part, Collective action, knowledge generation, linking two papers of Mockshell et al. and Louman et al. call for a greater private products and territory, pools contributions that showcase the collective sector contribution to support agroecological production systems whose dimension of the agroecological transition. Indeed, the values discussed in multidimensional performance benefits the entire food system. the previous section can be formally recognized via collective action. These collective dynamics may then highlight qualities specific to such shared assets Bernard Hubert (Agropolis International, INRAE) and lead to various forms of designation such as fair trade, as outlined by Marcela Quintero (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR) Thierry Winkel; or participatory mechanisms to certify that food has been Michael Hauser (ICRISAT, CGIAR) 105 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system Improving value chains via agroecology Towards sustainable palm oil Social footprinting of informal and formal market value chains Ghana is a major producer and consumer Despite the importance of the informal oil- palm oil processing and decent employment of palm oil, yet it is unable to meet palm sector for women’s employment, artisanal at different points within the chain, thereby domestic demand(1). Notwithstanding mills face serious challenges in terms of poor providing a gendered perspective on women and the emergence of large-scale plantations and extraction rates, impurities in the oil, deleterious men’s participation and benefits across different industrial millers, smallholder farms account for working conditions, and negative environmental value chain segments. We also develop and approximately 80% of the land under oil palm impacts associated with fuelwood consumption, explore innovative participatory methodologies cultivation, and 76% of crude palm oil (CPO) carbon emissions, air and water pollution. to measure and visually map the gender footprint is processed by small-scale artisanal mills(3). The While registered companies must comply with in terms of livelihood impacts for the men and growth and expansion of smallholder and estate environmental, labor and health regulations, women within informal and formal oil palm oil palm plantations in Kwaebibirem District has informal mills operate outside of such standards. value chains. Our results will feed into an prompted a concurrent boom in informal mills Moreover, the formal sector maintains a critical ongoing integrated landscape development operated by ‘oil palm mamas’ driving land-use value chain niche in terms of smallholder service process with the aim of informing more transitions in favor of oil palm, to the detriment provision and achieving sustainabilities at scale, inclusive and gender-responsive landscape of other tree crops. Palm oil processing in Ghana yet competition with the informal sector governance and value-chain development. has traditionally been perceived as a ‘kitchen has threatened the viability of medium-scale activity’ in the domain of women, who have also enterprises and undercut large-scale service- historically dominated midstream value chain delivery models. Through a mixed-methods nodes as farmgate buyers, artisanal millers and gendered value chain analysis, we examine processors, and market traders(2). opportunities and challenges for upgrading Contacts For further information Markus Ihalainen (CIFOR, CGIAR, Senegal), (1) Rhebergen T., Fairhurst T., Whitbread A., Giller K.E., m.ihalainen@cgiar.org Zingore S., 2018. Yield gap analysis and entry points for Emily Jeanne Gallagher (CIFOR, CGIAR, Kenya), improving productivity on large oil palm plantations and e.gallagher@cgiar.org smallholder farms in Ghana. Agricultural Systems, 165: 14-25. (2) Sarku R., 2016. Analyses of gender roles in the oil palm Other author industry in Kwaebibirem District, Ghana. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(3): 187-198. George Schoneveld (CIFOR, CGIAR, Kenya) (3) MoFA, 2010. MASDAR: master plan study on the oil palm industry in Ghana. https://mofa.gov.gh/site/images/pdf/ q ‘Kramer’ or artisanal oil palm mill in Eastern Region, Ghana. © A. Gonzalez/CIFOR GHANA%27S%20OIL%20PALM%20MASTER%20PLAN.pdf 106 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Mapping gendered impact pathways of Fairtrade coffee Case studies from Guatemala, Indonesia and Kenya generates benefits for Fairtrade farmers, in leadership training in Indonesia, for example, workers and their communities regarding non- must still navigate sociocultural norms about discrimination and empowerment of women women’s participation in the public sphere and and girls. the invisiblization of women’s labor in value chains to more fully contribute to cooperative Key findings show that Fairtrade standards and decision-making and business activities. These gender programs have improved the proportion case studies represent progress at the level of female members and female representation of Fairtrade regional Producer Networks in leadership positions through affirmative and smallholder producer organizations, action, the inception of women’s committees, as well localized innovations to address and gender-specific interventions to address deeply embedded gender norms which structural barriers to participation (lack of constrain women’s full participation. secure land tenure, poor access to childcare, household labor burden). The Growing Women * Gender specialists from CIFOR, commissioned by Fairtrade system partners, with support from the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, in Coffee program in Kenya took proactive Trees and Agroforestry (CRP-FTA). steps to negotiate women’s tenure barriers to cooperative membership by lobbying men to transfer coffee bushes into their wives’ names Contacts and registering women as full members with Emily J. Gallagher (CIFOR, CGIAR, Kenya), associated benefits. Empowerment indicators to e.gallagher@cgiar.org measure the close relationship between social Iliana Monterroso (CIFOR, CGIAR, Guatemala), Interviewing coffee farmers in Indonesia and economic empowerment demonstrated the p . © CIFOR i.monterroso@cgiar.org positive impact of gender awareness training Made Sanjaya (CIFOR, CGIAR, Indonesia), This research analyzes the contribution coupled with steps to increase women’s market made.sanjaya@outlook.comof Fairtrade to gendered value chain participation and access to working capital. In development through targeted Guatemala, the Women’s Leadership School For further information interventions to improve women’s participation, has set the standard for building women’s • Gallagher E.J., Monterroso I., Sanjaya M., 2020. Women’s social and economic empowerment, and agronomic and entrepreneurial skills and sense access, equity and empowerment: Progress and uptake transformation of gender norms which of self efficacy, with the support of male allies of the Fairtrade Gender Strategy 2016-2020. Fairtrade reproduce inequalities between male and female to champion their leadership roles within International, Bonn. producers. Gender specialists* have adopted a producer organizations. Recommendations to • www.fairtrade.net/news/new-fairtrade-study-highlights- contribution analysis approach to systematically address more deeply embedded sociocultural successes-and-ways-forward-towards-gender-equality examine gender impact pathways embedded gender norms challenge Fairtrade to identify • Fairtrade Foundation, 2015. Equal harvest: removing the in the Fairtrade Theories of Change against levers for action within the scope of Fairtrade barriers to women’s participation in smallholder agriculture. Fairtrade Foundation, London, 50 p. gendered outputs, outcomes and impacts. The business model, while providing more specific study examines: how Fairtrade—through its guidance regarding Fairtrade’s position on casual • Malapit H., Quisumbing A., Meinzen-Dick R., Seymour G., Martinez E.M., Heckert J., Phase, G.A.A.P. (2019). standards, strategies, programs, and capacity- labor and the labor of women who actively Development of the project-level Women’s Empowerment building workstreams—contributes to gendered participate in commodity production but are not in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI). World development. 122: outcomes; and whether Fairtrade further themselves full members. Women participating 675-692. Continuity and change in shea supply chain governance in Burkina Faso (1890-2019) Shea fruits, nuts and butter are non-timber forest products of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), the most widespread tree species in West African parklands. The fruits and butter extracted from its kernels are essential ingredients in the diet of rural communities, and sales of surplus nuts and butter generate crucial income for women(1,2). The parklands are also important sources of other subsistence foods and provide critical ecosystem services. Historical evidence indicates a widespread centuries-old exchange of shea kernels and butter by women in periodic local markets and, regionally, in markets serving communities along the densely- populated West African coastline(4). Such exchanges were not only between producing and non-producing areas but also within producing areas due to seasonal variations in supply. In the early 20th century, French (and British) colonial administrations considered the possibility of exporting shea kernels to Europe on a large scale. …cont’d ☞ u Shea nut processing. 107 Once roasted, Rabo Nafissatou (left) and Bassia Mariam (right) ground shea nuts into a paste, which is then mixed with water and beaten (Burkina Faso). © O. Girard/CIFOR Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system Multiple initiatives to tax, extract (mechanically by the Government with the aim of Contact and chemically) and plant shea were unsuccessful. expanding the shea nut trade as part David Andrew Wardell (CIFOR, CGIAR, France), a.wardell@cgiar.org In the post-independence era, several state- of its ‘major non-traditional agricultural led efforts to regulate and control the shea export commodities’ portfolio. This is Other authors trade through stabilization funds and parastatal embedded within the (now) dominant Marlene Elias (Alliance of Bioversity International marketing boards were abandoned after neoliberal orthodoxy, which privileges and CIAT, CGIAR, Italy) 1984 when shea markets were liberalized. private over public rights, and monetized Mathurin Zida (CIFOR, CGIAR, Burkina Faso) Increasingly since 2003, an oligopolistic global production systems. We suggest that supply chain, dominated by three foreign firms the historical continuity, resilience For further information that manufacture cocoa butter equivalents and sovereignty of womens’ (1) Rousseau K., Gautier D., Wardell D.A., 2017. Socio-economic (CBEs), is sourcing shea to meet the growing shea production and trade are differentiation and shea globalization in western Burkina Faso: integrating demand of multi-billion dollar confectionary now confronted with several gender politics and agrarian change. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 46(4): and cosmetics industries(3). Burkina Faso is disintegration risks associated 747-766. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2017.1401612 one of the main exporters. The first ‘Stratégie with the contemporary forces of (2) Elias M., 2015. Gender, knowledge-sharing and management of shea national de développement durable de la filière globalization. (Vitellaria paradoxa) parklands in central-west Burkina Faso. Journal of karité du Burkina Faso 2015-2019’ was adopted Rural Studies, 38: 27-38. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0743016715000157?via%3Dihub (3) Rousseau J., Gautier D., Wardell D.A., 2015. Coping with the upheavals of globalization in the value chain of shea: the maintenance and relevance of upstream shea nut supply chain organization in western Burkina Faso. World Development, 66: 413-427. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.09.004 (4) Wardell D.A., Fold N., 2013. Globalizations in a nutshell: historical perspectives on the changing governance of the shea commodity chain in northern Ghana. International Journal of the Commons, 7(2): 367-405. www.thecommonsjournal.org/articles/10.18352/ijc.361/ Converging agroecology and bioeconomy principles define new processing pathways A groecological practices combine three processed in an integral manner to enhance agroecology and bioeconomy principles have sustainability dimensions, namely efficient resource use? been respected. This can be experimentally economic, environmental and social 3. H ow could all subsequent recycling steps be verified in so-called ‘living labs’. The latter—as performance. Practices favor biodiversity, input designed to guarantee minimum nutrient loss? currently explored in agroecology—can then reduction and efficient resource use, while 4. How could the above three processing become ‘bioeconomy systems labs’ to assess reconsidering production from ecological pathways be sustainably innovated in three cases with a wide range of public-private partners. standpoints. The bioeconomy concept was first dimensions? Moreover, the scope of existing bioeconomy focused on biotechnology and then on efficient research and innovation clusters (including food resource usage, while today it is hinged on A bioeconomy prospective analysis report(1) systems) could also be broadened to encompass socioecological orientations in which agrifood offers suggestions, such as downscaled food agroecological production practices. An existing systems have a major share. Hence, agroecology technologies, cascading processes for multiple wine research station, like INRAE Pech Rouge, and bioeconomy have converged towards one resources, closed cycle approaches for biomass could possibly serve as an example by combining sustainability framework, thereby setting the and combined technological, organizational wine produced via agroecological practices, and stage for production, manufacturing, distribution, and social innovations(2). The above questions the utilization of coproducts and waste, with consumption and recycling. This poses the could be addressed by considering that globally the three processing pathways—biodiversified following questions with regard to agroresource sustainable bioeconomy systems should be resources processing, integral processing, multiple processing pathways: built on interconnected territorial bioeconomy recycling—mentioned above. In addition, the 1. How would it be possible to progress from subsystems instead of linear bioeconomy systems, research station could address both environment- large volume, high-throughput processing including food value chains(3). In subsystems, friendly technological, as well as organizational of monocultures towards processing of actors, products, transformations, playing fields, and social innovations to strive to come up with biodiversified resources? rules and (un)sustainable outcomes should sustainable solutions in their three dimensions. 2. How could main products and by-products be be jointly considered to determine whether Contact Hugo de Vries (IATE, INRAE, France), hugo.de-vries@inrae.fr For further information (1) Axelos M. et al., 2020. Réflexion prospective interdisciplinaire bioéconomie. Rapport de synthèse. INRAE, France. (hal-02866076) (2) Donner M., de Vries H., 2021. How to innovate business models for a circular bio-economy? Business Strategy and the Environment. doi: 10.1002/bse.2725 (3) De Vries, H., Donner M., Axelos M., 2021. A new conceptual cylinder framework for sustainable p Converging features of agroecology and bioeconomy result in sustainable outcomes in safe and just operating spaces, in bioeconomy systems and their contrast with current societal and production patterns leading to chaos or rigidity. actors. J Agric. Environ. Ethics., 34: 11. Modified image of www.radartutorial.eu/06.antennas/pic/zirku lanim.gif is included. Adapted from De Vries et al. (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-021- 09850-7 108 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Work and agroecology The agroecological transition changes Work times depend on many factors, primarily usefulness, the wealth of relationships farmers’ work by increasing the diversity the size (area, herd) and workforce composition. (with others and with animals), decision-and range of tasks to manage (e.g. crops Drawing conclusions on the direct effects of making autonomy, consistency and the and livestock) and the uncertainty (natural agroecological practices using precise techniques meaningful relationship with nature are processes are hard to predict), while also such as the Quaework method is difficult. all accentuated by agroecology. Research requiring new skills and know-how. Agroecology Moreover, the mental workload is hard to assess findings jointly underline the fact that the hypothetically offers better working conditions, (apart from biological measures regarding stress). agroecological transition is experienced as but with heavier work and mental loads. The The sense of drudgery has a strong individual an empowerment process while fostering agroecological transition also implies a change and subjective dimension, while complexity is not a sense of involvement in rewarding work of professional model involving different norms, regarded as a hardship. Work is not just impacted (Transaé project, 2016-2019, ruminant livestock values, practices and objectives (e.g. autonomy). by change—at the farm scale, the tasks and who farming, France). This transition does not solely concern practices! will carry them out, the equipment used and the It requires creativity, peer dialogue and learning. role of non-agricultural activities are renegotiated The process gradually reconciles the ideal and the (LIFT 2020-2023 project, cash crops and ruminant possible (PraiFacE project, 2008-2013, ruminant livestock farming, 12 European countries). livestock farms, western France). The significance of work, the feeling of p Collective work in a vegetable crop plot involving association members and technical staff. © R. Fèche Contacts Partners For further information Nathalie Hostiou (Territoires, INRAE, France), • Réseau mixte technologique ‘travail en agriculture’: • Coquil X., Dedieu B., Beguin P. 2017. Professional nathalie.hostiou@Inrae.fr http://idele.fr/fr/reseaux-et-partenariats/reseaux-mixtes- transitions toward sustainable farming systems. The Julie Duval (Territoires, INRAE, France), technologiques/rmt-travail-en-agriculture.html development of farmers’ professional worlds. Work, 57(3): julie.duval@Inrae.fr • International association ‘Work in Agriculture’: 325-337. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172565 Xavier Coquil (Territoires, INRAE, France), www.workinagriculture.com • Hostiou N., Dedieu B., 2011. A method for assessing xavier.coquil@Inrae.fr work productivity and flexibility in livestock farms. Animal, Projects 6(5): 852-862. doi:10.1017/S1751731111002084 Other authors • LIFT project, Low-input farming and territories. • Duval J., Cournut S., Hostiou N., 2021. Livestock farmers’ Benoît Dedieu (ACT, INRAE, France) Integrating knowledge for improving ecosystem-based working conditions in agroecological farming systems. farming (project H2020 n°770747, INRAE coordination). A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41(22). Jean-Yves Pailleux (Territoires, INRAE, France) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00679-y • PraiFacE project, Faciliter les transitions vers des systèmes plus autonomes (Casdar, France, INRAE-FNCIVAM coordination). • Transaé project, Transition vers l’agroécologie (Casdar, 109 France, INRAE-FNCIVAM coordination). Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Collective action, knowledge generation, linking products and territory Panarchy: a conceptual framework to support the inclusive sustainability of peasant agrosystems Fair and sustainable marketing of peasant Several action-research projects* have successfully agriculture products remains problematic. used this approach by tailoring it to issues of In addition to difficulties inherent to any inclusive peasant production sustainability in both agricultural activity, farmers have little bargaining local short circuits and globalized markets(2). In power in value chains and they face technical Bolivia, for example, agroecological transition to Contact barriers to processing and distributing their meet renewed territorial management standards Thierry Winkel (CEFE, IRD, France), products. Yet consumers value the quality of was planned locally and then recognized and thierry.winkel@ird.fr these products to an increasing extent, not to mainstreamed via the international FairTrade/ mention their environmental and social benefits. MaxHavelaar certification system (Photo). These For further information Making value chains more inclusive for peasant results highlight that the community territory (1) Winkel T., Bommel P., Chevarría-Lazo M., Cortes G., agriculture, while ensuring sustainability and provides an ideal space for debate and collective Del Castillo C., Gasselin P., Léger F., Nina-Laura J.P., Rambal S., Tichit M., et al. 2016. Panarchy of an indigenous equity, is therefore a complex challenge. It action in favor of sustainable and equitable agroecosystem in the globalized market: the quinoa mobilizes a variety of actors—producers, experts, governance of natural resources. production in the Bolivian Altiplano. Global Environmental policymakers—while dealing with a diverse range Change. 39: 195-204. of information and concepts on the environment * ANR-06-PADD-011-EQUECO Project, Emergence of quinoa in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.05.007world trade and society at several spatiotemporal scales, with CONICYT-BAQUIANA Project, Socio-ecological bases of (2)Winkel T., Núñez-Carrasco L., Cruz P.J, Egan N., various growth, reduction and stability objectives. participatory management of quinoa genetic resources in family Sáez-Tonacca L., Cubillos-Celis P.E., Poblete-Olivera C.J., farming communities Zavalla-Nanco N.O., Miño-Baes B., Viedma-Araya M.P., ANID-PABIOCA Project, Mobilizing biocultural heritage for peasant 2020. Mobilising common biocultural heritage for the Sustainability science prioritizes this agriculture heterogeneous knowledge and information, MSH-SUD-PANARCHI Project, Mobilizing natural and cultural socioeconomic inclusion of small farmers: panarchy of two heritage for inclusive agriculture case studies on quinoa in Chile and Bolivia. Agriculture and thereby making it possible to analyze the ECOS-SUD-ARCHIPA Project, Patrimonialization of biocultural Human Values. 37: 433-447. vulnerabilities and prospects for changing resources for peasant family agriculture in Argentina and Chile https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-019-09996-1 complex systems. Among its tools, panarchy(1) offers a heuristic approach that links the target systems (e.g. families, territories and societies), before tracking their trajectories through four generic phases, i.e. initiation, maturation, release and reorganization (Figure). Interactions between these systems underpin the more or less adaptive and sustainable transformation scenarios. Panarchy fosters dialogue between experts and social actors on the basis of graphic models, thereby facilitating exchange on issues, perspectives and decision making. p Panarchies of quinoa producers in Chile and Bolivia. In each case, three nested subsystems are hierarchized and their respective positions in Holling’s adaptive loops are symbolized according to the right-hand insert. © Th. Winkel/IRD, 2020 t In participatory research, role-playing reveals the logic of the different actors, thereby fostering debate 110 and concertation with a view to collective action. © M. Vieira-Pak/CIRAD, 2007 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Participatory guarantee systems A cheap and fair way to reward farmers for their efforts and agroecology adoption Participatory guarantee systems (PGS) farms. We worked together with the Institute trained for PGS application. Previous research provide an alternative to third-party for Fundamental Research in Tropical Agriculture demonstrated that farmers in the reserves certification. They are cheap and easy to (INIFAT) of the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture. play an important role in agrobiodiversity and implement and represent locally relevant quality INIFAT is also leading the Cuba’s Urban, Suburban traditional knowledge conservation, while assurance initiatives that emphasize stakeholder and Family Agriculture Program’ where most also providing ecosystem services. All of this participation, including producers and consumers, agroecological production is happening. The idea information is lost once the products leave the and are ideal for smallholder farmers worldwide. was to support farmers living and working in farm on a state truck that collects from both We explore how the PGS scheme can work in a buffer and transition zones of two UNESCO organic and conventional farms, and everything country like Cuba* where agroecology and low Man and the Biosphere Reserves (MAB) in Cuba is mixed to serve the state food distributions input agriculture have been strongly supported by by adding value (through certification) to their system. PGS development in Cuba is an the government over last 30 years. Agroecology high-quality products for the local and tourist attempt to empower smallholder farmers is pivotal to agricultural production in the markets. MAB farm produce supplying organic by recognizing and promoting their efforts country but, unless food is purchased directly markets included mango, coconut, avocado, in the use of agroecological practices, as from farmers or local markets, consumers have guava, sweet and sour orange, lemon, banana, well as their role as biodiversity custodians no way of knowing whether their produce sweet potato, tomato, cucumber, pineapple, and providing a guarantee to consumers. purchases are from uniform intensive high-input cowpea, common beans and cassava. During the farms or diversified low-input agroecological testing phase, six farmers from one MAB were * In the framework of a UNEP-GEF-funded project. Contact Nadia Bergamini (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Italy), n.bergamini@cgiar.org For further information • Vega León M., Gavilanes Díaz P., 2016. Los sistemas participativos de garantía (SPG), una alternativa para la valorización de los productos de las Reservas de la Biosfera. Agrotecnia de Cuba, 40(2): 87-93. • Pérez Lamas J., Gomez Molldón J., Vega León M., Gavilanes Dias P., 2016. Manual del sistema participativo de garantía (SPG) en Cuba. Playa, Cuba: Asociación Cubana de Técnicos Agrícolas y Forestales t The participatory guarantee system (PGS) developed in Cuba. Adapted from Vega León & Gavilanes Díaz (2016) Scaling agroecological transitions Supporting institutional market innovations A diverse range of market innovations link agroecological farmers and consumers in the Global South. Supporting the underlying institutional innovations and collective knowledge building are necessary for scaling agroecological transitions and intervening at the food system level(3). Our research documents and supports the ways by which agricultural and food system actors rethink and organize their involvement in different markets, bolster agroecological changes, and modify the rules that structure market interactions*. It is a matter of qualifying and developing the quality attributes promoted in market exchanges and the institutions that underwrite them (standards, certifications, accreditations). …cont’d ☞ u Clean vegetable producers from Moc Châu (Vietnam) preparing their orders, 2018. © E. Biénabe 111 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system The recognition and dissemination of complementarity between research and NGOs For further information agroecological practices occurs through the in testing and explaining the mechanisms, such as (1) Biénabe E., 2013. Towards biodiverse agricultural institutionalization of new standards via the the establishment and recognition of participatory systems: reflecting on the technological, social and socialization and promotion of links between guarantee systems (PGS) in Morocco, or institutional changes at stake In E. Hainzelin (eds): product quality and production systems(1). the creation by Ecovida** of solidarity-based Cultivating Biodiversity to Transform Agriculture. Springer, Successful scaling combines: processing channels between three Brazilian Heidelberg: 221-261. 1. local experience involving actors from production States, whose political impact contributed to the (2) Biénabe E., Marie-Vivien D., 2017. Institutionalizing areas in quality or origin labeling processes, institutionalization of PGS in the Brazilian Organic geographical indications in Southern countries: lessons e.g. geographical indications (Rooibos, South Law regarding organic agriculture(4). learned from Basmati and Rooibos. World Development, 98: 58-67. Africa(2)) or other territorial certifications (clean vegetables from Moc Châu, Vietnam) with the * “Defining who has the right to participate in the market, what goods (3) Cerdan C., Biénabe E., Benz H., Lemeilleur S., Marie- are included in the trading, how the trade should be conducted and the Vivien D., Vagneron I., Moustier P., 2019. What market collective body playing a key role as guarantor in specific rights and obligations of each economic operator.” (Niederle and dynamics for promoting an agroecological transition? the distinction and quality building process(3) Gelain, 2013) Chapter 15. In Côte F.X., et al. (eds): The agroecological ** AGRECO: an agroecological farmers’ association of Encostas da Serra 2. n etworking between innovative areas and Geral (Brazil). transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. organizations via NGOs, projects and/or public Ecovida: a network of men and women agroecological farmers and NGOs. Collection Cirad-AFD Agricultures et défis du monde. actors, such as AGRECO** (Brazil), whose scaling Éditions Quae, Versailles: 271-291.Contacts occurred via a public family farming support (4) Lemeilleur S., Allaire G., 2018. Système participatif de Estelle Biénabe (Innovation, CIRAD, Vietnam), garantie dans les labels du mouvement de l’agriculture program and the involvement of a network of estelle.bienabe@cirad.fr biologique. Une réappropriation des communs qualified people Claire Cerdan (Innovation, CIRAD, Réunion), intellectuels. Économie Rurale, 365: 7-27. 3. a n increase in State policy support, with claire.cerdan@cirad.fr https://doi.org/10.4000/economierurale.5813 Participatory guarantee systems that reconnect consumers and producers Participatory guarantee systems (PGS) and consumers. Together they ensure that the and Brazil in the 1960s. Participatory audits were are increasingly important institutional techniques are adopted and that the audit is a one of the original ways of controlling organic innovations that link agroecological learning process for all actors involved.(2) PGS agriculture techniques before the third-party production with responsible consumption. provide a direct guarantee—through the formation certification model became dominant in policy and While today’s dominant models of assurance for of local markets—for sustainably produced food. practice.(3) These pioneers felt that—to be in line sustainable agriculture allocate oversight authority PGS thus ensure the scaling-out of agroecological with the environmental ethics of organic farming— to third-party certifiers or standard-setters, PGS innovations as they typically emerge from farmer- farmers’ expertise had to be trusted when “certify producers based on active participation led initiatives to co-create knowledge, and through verifying their practices. This certification approach of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of alliances with consumer-led diverse economies. eroded in the 1980s as organic farming was trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.”(1) gradually mainstreamed into national legislation PGS focus on the democratization of knowledge The purpose of PGS is to assure actors’ and international trade systems. However, PGS whereby oversight systems for compliance with responsibility for producing food sustainably. re-emerged in the 2000s, reaching 76 countries standards are created by producers, public- This method dates back to organic agriculture worldwide by 2019. Most of these countries were sector officials, food service actors, experts experiments conducted in USA, France, Japan located in the Global South, where PGS arose to offset the dominant standard-setting paradigm adopted by non-governmental and corporate actors in the Global North via third-party certification. The latter was considered too costly for many small-scale producers and not applicable to local agroecological and socio-technical conditions. As of 2021, 11 countries and one regional intergovernmental organization have included PGS as a legitimate form of certification for agroecological or organic products in domestic markets, i.e., Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, India, Madagascar, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Philippines and the East African Community (Kilimo Hai standard). p PGS innovation mechanism. © A. Loconto q Quezon PGS Certification Committee Meeting, Lucena, Philippines. 7 March 2019. © A. Loconto Contact Allison Loconto (LISIS, INRAE, France), allison-marie.loconto@inrae.fr For further information (1) Loconto A., 2017. Models of assurance: diversity and standardization of modes of intermediation. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 670(1): 1-21. (2) Loconto A., Hatanaka M., 2018. Participatory guarantee systems: alternative ways of defining, measuring, and assessing ‘sustainability’. Sociologia Ruralis, 58(2): 412-432. (3) Niederle P., Loconto A., Lemeilleur S., Dorville C., 2020. Social movements and institutional change in organic food 112 markets: evidence from participatory guarantee systems in Brazil and France. Journal of Rural Studies, 78: 282-29. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Assessing trade-offs between environmental and socioeconomic issues in agroecological systems To be able to achieve the agroecological example demonstrates: (i) the complexity of developed in a conventional intensive farming transition, it is necessary to resolve comparing different production systems framework, further research is needed to tailor trade-offs between social, economic and in terms of their sustainability, and them to the needs of agroecological systems. environmental dimensions of sustainability that (ii) the need to contextualize the analysis. Moreover, it would be pointless to attempt farmers have to cope with when changing their In addition to farmers, other actors have a to address complex systems in a perfectly farming practices. For instance, replenishing the key influence on agricultural practices, including objective manner. Research should also focus soil organic matter content will increase the soil agricultural policymakers and consumers. on ways to take the aims and viewpoints carbon stock, thereby contributing to climate of the different stakeholders into account change mitigation, while also enhancing soil Sustainability assessment is geared towards (Fig. B), while dovetailing them with the fertility. Consequently, household incomes may informing various actors on the expected impacts available models and scientific knowledge. increase through the higher crop yields achieved of changing practices. Standard assessment This could be achieved by clarifying the without mineral fertilizer applications, i.e. with methods—such as life cycle or ecological associated assumptions, simplifications, reduced emissions from the industrial sector. footprint analysis—focus on the environmental uncertainties and trade-offs between However, when this a priori ‘win-win’ situation is dimension of sustainability. This is particularly contradictory indicators. One challenge is achieved at the expense of crop residue grazing problematic with regard to family farming in the to embed these assessments in approaches by livestock, farmers may be obliged to purchase Global South, where socioeconomic sustainability that reflect a dynamic view of the systems supplementary feed whose carbon footprint is paramount owing to farmers’ poor livelihoods. studied and their context so as to avoid could be greater than that ‘saved’ by restoring When combined in integrated assessments, reliance on innovations that might crop residues to the soil. Moreover, improving soil models focused on cropping, farm household quickly turn out to be obsolete due to fertility—and thus agricultural production—takes decision making, territorial resource flows and global changes. Agroecological systems several years, and the return on this investment is their collective management could generate assessments should be multidisciplinary, therefore not immediate and is highly dependent indicators covering all sustainability aspects multiactor, multiscale and prospective in on the prevailing soil-climate conditions. This (Fig. A). Given that these models have been scope. t Figure A. Integrated assessment using a chain of models to conduct multiscale analyses. Adapted from Ricome et al. (2017) Contact François Affholder (AIDA, CIRAD, France), francois.affholder@cirad.fr For further information t Figure B. A between-actor discussion on ecological intensification support • Affholder, F., Bessou, C., Lairez, J., Feschet, P., 2019. policies. Assessment of trade-offs between environmental and The debate is prepared via a board socio-economic issues in agroecological systems. In game (here © TerriStories), staging Côte F.-X., et al. (ed.): The agroecological transition of the responses of a given production agricultural systems in the Global South. Éditions Quae, system to potential policies and Versailles, France: 219-238. climate hazards. This type of approach • Ricome A., Affholder F., Gérard F., Muller B., complements model-based assessments Poeydebat C., Quirion P., Sall M., 2017. Are subsidies to and helps integrate actors’ viewpoints. weather-index insurance the best use of public funds? www.terristories.org/fr/jeu.html. A bio-economic farm model applied to the Senegalese 113 © F. Affholder groundnut basin. Agric. Syst. 156: 149-176. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system Supporting the ecologization of agriculture in the light of open innovation challenges Interorganizational collaboration between of membership-based organizations promoting of innovative viable solutions(4). Based on these public, private and civil society organizations agroecology that has developed the first organic new insight regarding success factors for open is key for boosting social innovations that label at the country level; and an end-user-led innovation, CIRAD developed an R&D agenda address core problems related to ecological innovation partnership for the development at the crossroads of innovation management intensification implementation in local contexts. of agroecology advisory services by farmer and organizational studies to promote the The main challenges concern the ‘openness’ organizations(3). coproduction of knowledge with practitioners of organizations, i.e. the essential trade-off on third-party mediated open innovation to between competitiveness, control, ownership The outcomes highlighted that interaction accelerate agroecological transitions in the and short-term achievements and, on the other protocols were strongly needed to help Global South. hand, knowledge and value sharing, creativity, the diverse range of organizations share uncertainties and broader achievements(1). CIRAD a common vision on aspects requiring seeks to meet these challenges by supporting change while aligning their objectives Contact institutionalized multiactor innovation platforms, and activities to achieve viable solutions. Aurélie Toillier (Innovation, CIRAD, France), project innovation partnerships or loose The most immediate outcomes were increased aurelie.toillier@cirad.fr innovation networks, that propose coordination collaboration capacities through mutual trust and mechanisms and a learning environment for a joint innovation agenda. Longer-term outcomes, For further information open innovation. In Burkina Faso, three of especially new technology-related ones, were (1) McGahan A.M., Bogers M.L., these different coordination mechanisms were hinged on the quality of the facilitation process Chesbrough H., Holgersson M., 2020. Tackling societal supported in order to solve different types of by third parties—when external facilitators were challenges with open innovation. California Management Review, 0008125620973713. problems: a research-led innovation platform that able to manage joint knowledge production and was developed to test a conservation agriculture material resource availability in a timely manner, (2) Dabire D., Andrieu N., Djamen P., Coulibaly K., Posthumus H., Diallo A., Karambiri M., Douzet J.-M., model at the village scale(2); a facilitated network this boosted the pace of the design and scaling Triomphe B., 2017. Operationalizing an innovation platform approach for community-based participatory research on conservation agriculture in Burkina Faso. Experimental Agriculture, 53(3): 460-479. (3) Toillier A., Kola Nomandé P., Mathe S., Tsafack S., Dabire D., Triomphe B., 2019. The ecologisation of agriculture through the prism of collaborative innovation. In: Côte F.-X. et al. (eds), The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. Ed. Quae, Versailles: 251-270. www.quae-open.com/ produit/114/9782759230570/the-agroecological-transition- of-agricultural-systems-in-the-global-south (4) Toillier A., Kola P., 2020. Le rôle des pratiques de gestion interorganisationnelles dans le renforcement de communautés d’innovation inexpérimentées : étude exploratoire au Burkina Faso. Innovations, 2: 191-220. t Facilitation techniques to support open innovation. Top: Facilitating bridging events between innovators and policymakers (CDAIS project)© CIRAD Bottom: Facilitating social network analysis (CDAIS project). © CIRAD q Factors of success of interorganizational collaboration for open social innovation. Adapted from Toillier et al. (2019) 114 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Territorial mechanisms as common goods to achieve the agroecological transition Agroecology must be viewed beyond: Each system implements norms that it tailors specific situation. These rules must be (i) technical changes alone; (ii) the field to its needs at its own pace using specific subject to dispute management and self-and farm; and (iii) sectoral and value instruments. In Brazil(1), many organizations control so as to be able to adjust them. These chain spheres. Defining new resource usage rules, have been created in the semiarid region to processes encourage learning and contribute implementing adapted public policies, creating provide policy support for local agroecological to the legitimacy of territorial mechanisms. new public markets for agroecological products, proposals; local production arrangements, set They modify relationships with territories by producing ecosystem services and bringing up within the framework of the rural territorial providing a common vision of problems and together actors in associations or cooperatives policy, while seeking to consolidate family solutions, by participating in the governance of are necessary steps in the agroecological farmer integration in production systems and to the agroecological transition and by dovetailing transition. These processes require multifaceted, bolster the agroecological dimension; territorial individual, collective and governmental actions. collective and institutional action coordinated charters and certifications (e.g. Paragominas in The territorial mechanism is a key element at all scales. The territorial mechanism thereby the eastern Amazon) are defined to promote in the institutionalization of agroecology in seeks to shape collective action by establishing more ecological agricultural practices, linked territories. new institutional arrangements between to new land and resource usage rules and to * A shared and collectively managed resource by a community. actors, i.e. playing rules and their uses within a change in the power relations. Applying territories. This is an explicit assembly of material common goods* management methods (organizational structure, platform, instruments, to the territorial system ensures greater Contact tools, etc.) and immaterial (ideas, knowledge, efficiency because the rules co-constructed Marc Piraux (TETIS, CIRAD, France), attitude, etc.) elements, often of political scope. by the actors are more tailored to the marc.piraux@cirad.fr For further information (1) Piraux M., Tonneau J.P., Poccard-Chapuis R., 2019. Territorial mechanisms: common goods for undertaking the agroecological transition. In Côte F.-X. et al. (eds): The agroecological transition of agricultural systems in the Global South. Éditions Quae, Versailles: 293-312. (Agricultures et défis du monde). t Building natural resource management rules in the Brazilian Amazon. © M. Piraux Modeling and the systems paradigm Agroecological transition as a focus of interdisciplinary research Agroecological challenges must be reconnect mankind to the biosphere (including development in drylands, but it is being addressed by interdisciplinary the legal implications). Three exemplary undermined by climate change. A method approaches, firstly based on knowledge models have been developed by the ESPACE- based on GIS, in situ and remote sensing data acquired through modeling to enable the DEV research unit through a socioecological has shed light on the adaptive capacity of palm development of adaptation solutions and coviability approach: trees under water and salt stress. Knowledge monitoring tools, and secondly geared towards • An oasis agrosystem (palm groves in regarding this agrosystem in the medium and defining and implementing a new paradigm to Djibouti) that fosters sustainable agricultural long term (datasets in semantic web formats) may be tapped to set up and implement a system for its monitoring. …cont’d ☞ 115 p Mohamed Djama plot near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti: Google Maps aerial view (left) and laboratory analysis (right). © M. Djama Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system • A climate change simulation database focused Ecological imperatives must be addressed via interactions starting from practices, on studies of future impacts and risks for the transformation of modern societies in both regulations and the diversity of interlinked agriculture in West Africa. The aim here is to the Global North and South. The relationship life forms constituting socioecosystems. design potential scenarios, such as adaptation between mankind and the biosphere must Our research is geared towards developing strategies, that could enable implementation be rebooted to achieve this change. The methods for their evaluation, defining indicators of transition solutions through a web portal* socioecological coviability concept-paradigm regarding the appropriation of this paradigm cobuilt with African actors and partners. refers to the joint viability between living beings. by stakeholders at pilot sites and testing legal • An innovative process cobuilt by local This systemic interdependence underpins a new regulations on a territorial scale. actors (Cévennes, France) and researchers pathway regarding the relationship between has given rise to an intercommunal pastoral human societies and the environment and pact** formalizing an agroecological territorial agriculture in the Anthropocene. Agroecology *Climate scenario portal: https://retd1.teledetection.fr/climap/proj regulation. is a socioecological coviability model. ** Pacte pastoral: Interdisciplinary research is focused on https://caussesaigoualcevennes.fr/competences/pacte-pastoral t The contribution of agroecology Contact —a dimension that goes beyond nature Carmen Gervet (ESPACE-DEV, UM, France), (independent of societies) for a coviable carmen.gervet@ird.fr relationship with the biosphere. Other autors Olivier Barrière (ESPACE-DEV, IRD, France) Mahdi Djama (Centre d’étude et de recherche de Djibouti, CERD) Isabelle Mougenot (ESPACE-DEV, UM, France) Benjamin Sultan (ESPACE-DEV, IRD, France) For further information • Barrière O. et al. (éd.), 2019. Coviability of social and ecological systems: reconnecting mankind to the biosphere in an era of global change. Vol.1 et 2. Springer. • Barrière O., 2017. Human relationship to the land from a legal perspective as a human and environmental security challenge. In Behnassi M., McGlade K. (eds.), Environmental change and human security in Africa and the Middle East. Springer: 259-304. What public policies to support agroecology in Latin America and the Caribbean? L atin American agroecology proposes the support for conventional agriculture. The challenge The implementation and monitoring transformation of conventional agrifood is therefore to convince farmers, consumers of agroecology-oriented policies are systems. It is driven by social movements and policymakers to a greater extent on the dependent on coordination between that have succeeded in forming coalitions that importance of issues regarding public health, different actors and levels, i.e. between have promoted its public policy integration. These food security and sovereignty. Three elements social movements supporting alternative policies involve a range of instruments that are underpin these policies: (i) pressure exerted by models and public organizations, between often embedded in programs that also support social movements; (ii) the search for solutions standards institutions and between organic and sustainable agricultural systems. to economic and environmental crises caused by national and territorial governments. Policy However, while these two types of agriculture specialized agroindustrial models and extreme instruments supporting agroecology must be propose more ecological practices, they do not climatic events, or geopolitical and financial crises; flexible and designed at several levels to be able question the basis of the conventional agrifood and (iii) partial responses by public authorities to convince both producers and decision makers, system. The implementation of instruments to to environmental issues (the sustainable rural as is the case regarding the Ecoforte program* in support agroecology therefore depends on the development act in Mexico, recognition of the Brazil which supports the structuring of territorial power relations established within each country. environmental benefits applied to agriculture in agroecological knowledge management networks, These policies remain fragile due to the continued Costa Rica, and the sustainable agriculture plan and the ProHuerta program* in Argentina which in Chile). Despite this promotes local agroecological farmers’ markets. q Agroecological farmers’ market in Buenos Aires, Argentina. © C. Moyano progress, agroecological The territorial level approach is essential to enable production is still producers, consumers and their organizations to scattered and limited, tailor these instruments to their specific setting. except in Cuba where it accounts for 65% of * Ecoforte, Program to develop and consolidate agroecology and organic agriculture networks agrifood products. ProHuerta program, Argentina: http://prohuerta.inta.gov.ar Contacts Éric Sabourin (ART-DEV, CIRAD, France), eric.sabourin@cirad.fr Jean-François Le Coq (ART-DEV, CIRAD, France/Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Colombia), jf.lecoq@cgiar.org For further information Sabourin E., Le Coq J.-F., Fréguin-Gresh S., Marzin J., Bonin M., Patrouilleau M.M., Vázquez L., 116 Niederle P., 2018. Public policies to support agroecology in Latin America and the Caribbean. Perspective, 45. CIRAD, Montpellier. https://doi.org/10.19182/agritrop/00020 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Innovative business models and finance Tapping the carbon market as a sustainable finance source for low-emission rice The lack of financial incentives for established accreditation protocols(1). The main appeals to multilateral climate funds and blended environmental benefits is a major activities to reduce on-farm emissions from rice finance mechanisms is recommended to support constraint to scaling agroecological include controlling irrigation through alternate sovereign green bonds and diversify investment(3). production practices in rice landscapes. This wetting and drying, and improving fertilizer At smaller scales, carbon credits allow private barrier applies to both producers who are and residue management(2). However, the investors to offset their own emissions or required to change their practices to meet uncertainty and risk due to complex and costly monetize emission reduction. Alongside other sustainability standards and to investments that validation/verification systems that are largely environmental co-benefits such as water saving, hinge on financial return. Carbon credits for rice unconducive in smallholder contexts currently new possibilities for stacking benefits with can be generated by eligible farmers that follow hinders success. Given that the majority of aligned accreditation protocols are emerging, standardized protocols for emission reduction rice is grown by smallholders in low- to although this trend has yet to be substantiated. and reporting guidelines. The proof-of-concept middle-income countries, the strategies The next steps to advance the carbon credit for the efficiency of carbon credits in smallholder outlined to de-risk investment include market for low-emission rice are to adapt the contexts, though, has yet to be achieved. Paddy targeting countries that have supportive carbon registry protocols for MRV to ensure the rice provides one of the most promising regulatory bodies, emission trading economic viability of the process in a smallholder options for reducing emissions in the crop systems, enabling trade agreements, and context in low- and middle-income countries. agriculture sector due to high baseline emissions, transparent protocols for monitoring/ available mitigation technologies, and globally reporting/verification (MRV). Launching Contacts Katherine M. Nelson (IRRI, CGIAR, Vietnam), k.nelson@irri.org Bjoern Ole Sander (IRRI, CGIAR, Vietnam), b.sander@irri.org For further information (1) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2020. Clean Development Mechanism Methodology booklet. https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/documentation/ meth_booklet.pdf#AMS_III_AU (2) Tran V.T., Mai V.T., Nguyen T.D.T., Le H.A., Richards M.B., Sebastian L., Wollenberg E., Vu D.Q., Sander B.O., 2019. An investment plan for low-emission rice production in the Mekong River Delta region in support of Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement. CCAFS Working Paper, 263. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). www.ccafs.cgiar.org p De-risking strategies for (3) Earth Security Group, 2019. Financing sustainable rice investment in low-emission rice for a secure future: innovative finance partnerships for climate production. mitigation and adaptation. https://earthsecuritygroup.com/ q Investment in carbon credits wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ESG-Financing-Sustainable- for reduced methane in rice Rice.pdf production. 117 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system Progress and persistent challenges of inclusive business models in cocoa and oil palm sectors in Ghana and Peru Inclusive business models (IBM) connect randomly selected households participating in conclude by showcasing opportunities for smallholders and other low-income people IBM (n = 948) in two prioritized value chains per designing and implementing IBM in ways with buyers, processors and traders in country (cocoa, oil palm), with two IBM per chain, that enhance smallholder asset building, agricultural and forest product value chains. and an FGD (one per IBM) for feedback and commercial viability and environmental Value chain actors engage with each other validation by smallholder representatives. Our performance of IBM. through diverse institutional arrangements, analysis focused on household assets (human, including international (e.g. UN Global Compact, social, natural, physical and financial capital) for Contacts zero deforestation) and industry standards assessing the socioeconomic performance of Dietmar Stoian (ICRAF, CGIAR, Germany), (e.g. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, Cocoa IBM, and on landscape-level indicators for their d.stoian@cgiar.org and Forests Initiative), certifications (e.g. fair environmental performance. Divine Foundjem (ICRAF, CGIAR, Cameroon), trade, organic), and contract farming. With the d.foundjem@cgiar.org aim of gaining a better understanding of how Across the eight IBM and the five capitals, Enoch Kikulwe (Alliance of Bioversity International and IBM perform both from a smallholder and we found significant asset building among CIAT, CGIAR, Uganda), e.kikulwe@cgiar.org company perspective, we studied IBM in Ghana smallholder households. However, the results and Peru in two phases: (i) a scoping study on varied widely across IBM cases and households. For further information IBM in three value chains in Ghana (cocoa, oil We also found broad variation in terms of • Schoneveld G.C., 2020. Sustainable business models palm, rubber) and Peru (cocoa, coffee, oil palm): environmental performance, particularly as for inclusive growth: towards a conceptual foundation of analysis of secondary information, key informant regards the contribution of each IBM to forest inclusive business. Journal of Cleaner Production, 124062. interviews (n = 39) among aggregators and conservation and deforestation, respectively. Our • Stoian D., Foundjem D., Kikulwe E., Blare T., Menza G., service providers, and focus group discussions analysis showed the extent to which given Van der Haar S., 2021. Progress and persistent challenges of (FGD, n = 3) for feedback and validation with institutional arrangements contribute inclusive business models: insights from the cocoa and oil palm value chains in Ghana and Peru. ICRAF, CIFOR and Alliance value chain stakeholders; and (ii) an in-depth to measured or observed outcomes, of Bioversity International and CIAT, Nairobi, Kenya study based on a household survey among along with other drivers of change. We (forthcoming). p Asset building and attribution in four inclusive business models in Peru. Source: Stoian et al. (2021) 118 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Accelerating agroecological transitions The hidden private-public ecosystem The goal of achieving global food and ecosystem into: (i) incentives and investment; nutrition security, while simultaneously (ii) bridging institutions; (iii) research and reducing impacts on the natural development; and (iv) start-ups and businesses. environment and improving welfare is The blend of interactions within the complex, and characterized by several trade- private-public ecosystem (e.g. regulation, offs(1). Simultaneous transitions are required at investment and incentive mix) influence multiple levels—economic, socio-ecological and food systems from pre-production to post- politico-institutional—to change the ‘business consumption and achieving agrotecological as usual’ situation. Sustainable agricultural transition outcomes (Figure). practices through agroecology principles are promoted as a paradigm shift to transition With the increasing demand for food Contacts food systems at multiple scales while ensuring system transparency, incentivizing Jonathan Mockshell (Alliance of Bioversity International regenerative use of natural resources. However, businesses to integrate holistic and CIAT, Colombia), j.mockshell@cgiar.org the existing sustainability and agroecological agroecological metrics in traceability Roseline Remans (Alliance of Bioversity International and transition frameworks informing decision-making tools is fundamental for transforming food CIAT, Belgium), r.remans@cgiar.org are dominated by social-ecological and social- systems. This requires optimal collaboration Sarah Jones (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, innovation system concepts(2), while the private- within the private-public ecosystem to leverage France), s.jones@cgiar.org. public ecosystem is often neglected and its role investments (e.g. blended finance, impact Natalia Estrada Carmona (Alliance of Bioversity in accelerating food systems transformation has bonds, etc.) while incentivizing the private International and CIAT, France), n.e.carmona@cgiar.org generally remained concealed. To contribute to sector through intellectual property rights, filling this knowledge gap, new initiatives such as tax breaks, and ecological subsidies at multiple For further information the “Agroecological transitions” project aims at food system levels. A more visible private- (1) Mockshell J., Kamanda J., 2018. Beyond the agroecological innovating pathways for long-term incentives, and public ecosystem provides new opportunities and sustainable agricultural intensification debate: is blended private and public investments for agroecological to accelerate simultaneous agroecological sustainability the way forward? International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 16(2): 127-149. transitions. In this context, we apply a horizon- transitions via de-risking, mobilizing investments, scanning literature review approach to design a and balancing trade-offs to contribute to more (2) Ollivier G., Magda D., Mazé A., Plumecocq G., Lamine C., 2018. Agroecological transitions: what can sustainability private-public ecosystem transition framework. socially equitable, economically efficient, and transition frameworks teach us? An ontological and This framework unpacks a hidden private-public environmentally friendly food systems. empirical analysis. Ecology and Society, 23(2): 5. p Private-public ecosystem transition framework. 119 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Building a new global food system Unlocking finance for agroecology at scale P rivate investors seek a return that Innovative finance structures, especially those offsets the risk they run when investing, blending public and private finance, are able to while also seeking the benefits of scale direct more money into sustainable agriculture (low transaction costs per invested currency initiatives but have been more successful for Contacts unit). Public finance, on the other hand, is larger initiatives. Besides scale and risk, several Bas Louman (Tropenbos International, the Netherlands), less concerned with financial return and more additional barriers exist for smaller scale bas.louman@tropenbos.org with contributing to sustainable development. initiatives to access finance(3). Lessons learned Vincent Gitz (CIFOR, CGIAR, Indonesia), v.gitz@cgiar.org However, public funds are limited and insufficient from local initiatives that have been able Alexander Meybeck (CIFOR, CGIAR, Indonesia), to meet the needs to achieve the SDGs of to overcome those barriers could well a.meybeck@cgiar.org zero hunger, good water for all, sustainable apply to agroecology financing. A common consumption and production, climate action and denominator of these initiatives is the Other authors life on land(3). Agroecology is well positioned building of local financial infrastructure, Eveline Trines (Tropenbos International, the Netherlands) to contribute to these SDGs but several such as bank branches, credit unions, savings Michael Brady (CIFOR, CGIAR, Indonesia) challenges must be overcome for its upscaling(2), and loans associations, cooperatives or mobile including accessing private money to finance banking systems. Combining these with technical the agroecological transition from conventional assistance for agroecological production and farm For further information agriculture. In agroecology, co-creation of administration can generate successful business (1) Byakagaba et al., forthcoming. The trees for global benefit local and scientific knowledge and equitable initiatives. For example, in Uganda, ECOTRUST financial system. Report. Ecotrust/Tropenbos, Uganda/Netherlands. stakeholder involvement can lead to locally blends public funds that are used to help farmers (2) 4 FAO, 2018. Scaling up agroecology initiative: transforming adapted practices , which may vary according to increase their financial literacy and start-up food and agricultural systems in support of the SDGs. Food social, economic and ecological settings, and for their agri-related businesses, along with private and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which the range of potential outcomes is still funds received from carbon credit buyers(1). Rome, Italy. insufficiently documented. This contrasts with Carbon purchase contracts were used as income (3) Louman B., Meybeck A., Mulder G., Brady M., Fremy L., investors’ needs for scale and predictability of guarantee for farmers’ loan applications with Savenije H., Gitz V., Trines E., 2020. Innovative finance for outcomes. local financial institutions. Whereas actual sustainable landscapes. Working Paper 7. Bogor, Indonesia: income (carbon and non-carbon) was used to The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). pay back loans, as well as to create a revolving fund that replaces public funds in supporting (4)Wezel A., Herren B.G., Kerr R.B., Barrios E., Gonçalves A.L.R., Sinclair F., 2020. Agroecological principles new start-ups that contribute to generating new and elements and their implications for transitioning to carbon credits while also producing non-carbon sustainable food systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable products and services. Development, 40(6): 1-13. 120 p Simplified diagram of how a local financial mechanism could look like if carbon sequestration were to be one of the services provided by an ecoagricultural farm. Modified from Byakagaba (forthcoming). p Agroforestry plot in Juaboso, Ghana. © Hans Vellema/TBI Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 121 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems 122 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems PART 3 Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology 123 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems This part complements the previous chapters which were nutrient resources, and soil food webs. Two examples illustrate this structured according to an agrifood system transition gradient. role, i.e. one on macrofauna (Jouquet et al.) and the other on soil It is crosscutting to these chapters and shows how France and microarthropods (Beggi & Menta). CGIAR are working to provide essential agricultural and ecological knowledge, as well as research methods and tools for initiating the Methods and tools for better agricultural practices and transformation of current schemes into agroecology-oriented systems, landscape management: Agricultural practices such as fertilization agrifood value chains and territories. It spans across different spatial and irrigation need to specifically address agroecosystem needs. The scales, human and social sciences as well as ecology and biotechnology. aim here is not at achieving maximum yield but rather at stabilizing This part covers research carried out within institutions and research production over time to meet food and nutrition objectives, and at infrastructures (national or international), but also in transdisciplinary minimizing inputs such as water and nutrients so as to safeguard these way, working with stakeholders, local or national social initiatives that resources along with the health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. foster the transition of agrifood systems. Careful management is essential as resources decline. This is especially important in the most vulnerable and resource scarce contexts. Two Mobilizing knowledge on ecological processes for agroecology: examples illustrate this, i.e. one on fertilization in Sahelian conditions Incorporating more biodiversity in agroecosystems is a key way to (Vanlauwe et al.) and the other on irrigation (Van Rooyen). At the enhance their resilience to climate change, overcome barriers to territorial level, the restoration of landscapes and the ecosystem access to resources such as water and nutrients, and curb the spread of services provided by trees calls for renewed consideration of tree diseases. Agroecology can benefit from better identification, knowledge species choices both in forests (Fremout et al.) and agricultural and use of intra- and inter-specific genetic resources, crop associations landscapes (Coudel et al.). and the role of this diversification. A few examples presented here illustrate some scientific and technological approaches used to explore Methods and tools for assessment and learning to support the role of this diversification, through: contributions of plant genomics agroecosystem transitions: Knowledge—especially ways of and phenotyping and plant associations to agroecology (Hippolyte & acquiring it—and learning methods are a lever for building solutions Mia; Tardieu et al.), the development of seed banks (Fadda et al.) and step-by-step and locally adapted, which is essential for the design of crop associations (Tchamitchian et al.). agroecological systems. Farmers and stakeholders in the sector need to conceive specific benchmark systems tailored to the prevailing Soils and their associated biodiversity influence the functioning of socioeconomic and environmental contexts and conditions rather agroecosystems, particularly with regard to their structure, and thus than applying generic reference systems. This needs to rely on their moisture and biogeochemical conditions, access to water and experience sharing and stakeholder networks (Labeyrie et al.), guides q Co-building of environmental service payment scenarios in a territorial planning setting in Yunnan, China. © J.C. Castella/I-REDD+ project, 2012 124 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems (Coe & Sinclair), multicriteria assessment methods for agricultural have been developing for several years, it is still too early and systems, such as life cycle analysis, which is particularly relevant for the there are not enough of them to be able to draw full conclusions analysis of recycling solutions or complementarities between systems on their effectiveness. Yet they may have a ripple effect in terms (animal-plant) (Aubin & Paillat; Van der Werf et al.), crop system of stimulating innovation dynamics for agroecology, exchanging modeling platforms (Raynal & Casellas), agroecosystem analysis and values, building visions and setting transformations in motion. A few management tools, such as decision support and ecosystem status examples of living labs are presented in this part (Mambrini-Doudet analysis tools, including soil analysis tools (Brauman & Thoumazeau). et al.; Andrieu; Gardeazabal et al.). This part is illustrated by several examples dealing with these different aspects. Multicriteria assessment or modeling approaches focused Contribution of digital technology to agroecology: Digital on systems that are already in place or under development, through technology is being rolled out throughout the agricultural sector. For individual or collective scenario building, are often hampered by agroecology, this technology can be applied to monitor biological datasets that are not sufficiently comprehensive to describe the dynamics (in soil, plant cover, etc.) using soil sensors, proxies and complexity of agroecological systems. New data acquisition methods remote sensing, or even—which is the ultimate goal—to better and tools along the transition processes are complementary to these manage agroecosystems (Biradar). Digital technology also concerns approaches. the overall information domain, decision support tools, and information management and exchange between actors from production to Living labs, as facilitators of agrifood chain transformation: consumption. However to foster agroecological transitions, digital Living labs are open innovation mechanisms that promote technology needs to respond to the needs of actors along the transdisciplinary research with an array of stakeholders from value chains, and not the reverse as is often the case. Adapted tools, agricultural and food sectors, environmental and food NGOs, public training and information need to be provided and tailored to the use authorities and the private sector. They are useful for designing and users, the variety of agroecological systems and related transitions. transitions throughout the entire value chain—from producers to Digital technology substantially contributes to agroecology and to consumers—by associating suitable governance methods, economic its scaling up, as clearly illustrated here with two concrete examples instruments and public policies. These initiatives are often tailored (Reboud & Gée; Reboud & Crauser). to territorial scales, while being facilitators and incubators for innovation (Neyra et al.). The solutions can be highly robust because Jean-Luc Chotte (Eco&Sols, IRD) from the outset they take key actors and the environmental and Chantal Gascuel (Scientific Directorate for the Environment, INRAE) socioeconomic contexts into account. Although living lab initiatives Vincent Gitz (CIFOR, CGIAR) 125 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology Mobilizing knowledge on ecological processes for agroecology Contribution of genomics to agroecology To what extent could scientific advances carried out over the last two decades, have led between organisms favorable to agroecosystem achieved through projects funded by the to cognitive and methodological breakthroughs functioning and sustainability. These analyses French National Research Agency (ANR) on the functional features of living organisms. also highlighted that agroecology requires multi- in animal, plant and microbial genomics contribute These advances could contribute to agroecology year time steps—which is incompatible with to agroecology research? The development of research, which aims to better characterize, the programming of research through projects new technologies for studying the genome and understand and enhance functional biodiversity funded for only 3 years—as well as multi- its expression, alongside the genomics research in order to optimize biological regulation within and interdisciplinary approaches. The objectives agroecosystems, improve their functionality and (favoring interactions and relationships, moving design sustainable farming practices. between organizational levels, treating diversity as an asset, etc.) and especially a common vision ANR published a thematic report in 2020 that will attract a diverse range of disciplines to presents an analysis of the funding of genomics contribute to the agroecological transition. projects since 2005—projects of substantial interest for agroecology—and priority avenues for genomics research to support agroecology research. The results revealed that genomics could help overcome cognitive and methodological barriers to issues Contacts of importance for agroecology. Across Isabelle Hippolyte (ANR, France), isabelle.hippolyte@anr.fr several issues, genomics can help optimize Jannatul Mia (ANR, France), jannatul.mia@anr.fr agroecosystem performance and the services expected via biodiversity promotion, such as pest For further information control, better expression of root microbiota • ANR, 2020. Les apports de la génomique à l’agroécologie. functionalities, greater insight into interactions Bilan des projets financés sur la période 2005-2019 et within associated crops, etc. Genomics can also perspectives pour la recherche. Les cahiers de l’ANR, 12, France. contribute to the characterization of crops and • https://anr.fr/fr/actualites-de-lanr/details/news/publication- the development of new technologies. It may also du-cahier-n12-de-lanr-les-apports-de-la-genomique-a- help to characterize the functions performed by lagroecologie/ living organisms in agroecosystems, to define • Seminar on the contribution of genomics to agroecology early events allowing prediction and promotion organized by ANR on 27 March 2018, Montpellier, France: of adult phenotypes, or to determine interactions http://ptolemee.com/genomique-agro/index.html Identification of species and genotypes to meet agroecology challenges Agroecology represents a major (ii) modelling interactions between challenge for plant breeding which is components to optimize photosynthesis currently focused on the selection of and plant-to-plant competition and limit genotypes for single species/variety canopies, spore diffusion; and (iii) data organization and on genetic resistance to plant diseases. to tailor existing information systems Novel phenotyping approaches are essential to complex canopies. This provides a to generate multispecies/multigenotype canopies basis for training new genomic models for and integrated methods for exploiting biotic in silico selection of genotypes able to optimize interactions. To this end, Phenome EMPHASIS canopy photosynthesis, yield, plant health and deploys new tools for: (i) imaging and the viability of plant mixtures. artificial intelligence to determine …cont’d ☞ the structure and size of respective components (species/varieties) in a canopy; p False-color image of photosynthesis based on 126 fluorescence imaging in a plant subjected to a pathogen. © D. Rousseau/Université d’Angers/IRHS Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Phenome-EMPHASIS* organizes and coordinates nine local infrastructures and two methodological projects at French level, by developing: (i) novel imaging approaches combined with artificial intelligence; and (ii) an information system able to organize phenomic data, at different plant scales, with relevant environmental data and metadata. A few examples of applications include: (i) 3D modelling of canopies, with explicit simulation of spore diffusion and light interception as a function of leaf area and plant architecture in wheat(1); (ii) genomic prediction of maize yield in a diverse range of environmental conditions across Europe, based on the responses to environmental conditions(3); and (iii) canopy imaging with recognition of individual plants in monogenotype canopies(2), which has currently been extended to complex canopies. * Phenome-EMPHASIS: www.phenome-emphasis.fr/phenome_eng/Installations p Field imaging with a Phenomobile. © Ph. Burger/INRAE Toulouse/AGIR Contacts For further information ground measurements: application to rice crops. Agriculture François Tardieu (LEPSE, INRAE, France), (1) Garin G., Pradal C., Fournier C., Claessen D., Houlès V., and Forest Meteorology, 297: 108273. francois.tardieu@inrae.fr Robert C., 2018. Modelling interaction dynamics between (3) Millet E.J., Kruijer W., Coupel-Ledru A., Prado S.A., Jacques Le Gouis (GDEC, INRAE, France), two foliar pathogens in wheat: a multi-scale approach. Cabrera-Bosquet L., Lacube S., Charcosset A., Welcker C., van jacques.le-gouis@inrae.fr Annals of Botany, 121: 927-940. Eeuwijk F., Tardieu F., 2019. Genomic prediction of maize yield (2) Li W., Fang H., Wei S., Weiss M., Baret F., 2021. Critical across European environmental conditions. Nature Genetics, Bertrand Muller (LEPSE, INRAE, France), analysis of methods to estimate the fraction of absorbed 51: 952-956.bertrand.muller@inrae.fr or intercepted photosynthetically active radiation from The experience of community seed banks: a global analysis Agrobiodiversity is an essential part of agrobiodiversity management. Apart from community seed bank members receive training agroecological transition and at the heart these functions, community seed banks now on management practices, nutrition and seed of the design of nature-based solutions serve as a platform for community development, production to ensure high seed quality. While that enhance production (e.g. in crop rotation which in turn contributes to local food security originally being the focus of initiatives by NGOs, schemes) and integrate useful biodiversity in and improved livelihoods. They are also no now governments and multinational bodies such production systems (e.g. pollinators). However, longer just conservation centers but also as Global Crop Trust, FAO and the International knowledge about effective pathways for the use seed cooperatives capable (after selection and Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and of agrobiodiversity that can lead to improved participatory plant breeding) of marketing good Agriculture (ITPGRFA) have shown interest in food and nutrition, adaptation and resilience, is quality local seed. Moreover, they have become supporting community seed banks, in recognition scarce. One challenge is to identify sources and an agent for the promotion of farmers’ rights, of the important role they play in local channels to access appropriate reproductive including engagement in policy processes, while development. Community seed banks—by material and related knowledge from formal meeting the need for improved nutrition and providing improved planting material and and informal seed systems, while addressing fulfilling a broad range of community goals. In capacity-building potential—offer a major potential knowledge gaps through participatory Uganda and Kenya, new community seed banks opportunity to promote agroecological and formal research. Another is to determine are emerging that provide an opportunity to transitions. how to maintain and improve seed quality, which improve livelihoods in addition to their usual is often poor. seed conservation role. Farmers are involved as Contacts citizen scientists in the selection of crops and Carlo Fadda (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Community seed banks offer an efficient varieties which are subsequently distributed CGIAR, Kenya), c.fadda@cgiar.org way to address these challenges via through the banks. These crops and varieties Ronnie Vernooy (Alliance of Bioversity International and information access and quality seed are easy to exchange or sell as they are already CIAT, CGIAR, the Netherlands), r.vernooy@cgiar.org provision, thereby contributing to better approved by farmers. In addition, farmers who are Gloria Otieno (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Uganda), g.otieno@cgiar.org q A community seed bank in Ethiopia. © C. Fadda Other authors Rose Nankya Paola De Santis, Devra I. Jarvis, Dejene K. Mengistu, Jai Rana and Devendra Gauchan (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Uganda, Italy, Ethiopia India and Nepal respectively) John Mulumba Wasswa (National Agricultural Research Organization, Plant Genetic Resource Center, Uganda) For further information • Vernooy R., Shrestha P., Sthapit B. (eds), 2015. Community seed banks: origins, evolution and prospects. Issues in agricultural biodiversity. Routledge, London, 270 p. www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ Community_Seed_Banks.pdf • Vernooy R., Sthapit B., Otieno G., Shrestha P., Gupta A., 2017. The roles of community seed banks in climate change adaption. Development in Practice, 27(3): 316-327. 127 DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2017.129465 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology Crop diversification and association to enhance the agroecological transition The greening of agriculture—whereby measure and distinguish between the effects * Association Drômoise d’Agroforesterie (France): www.adaf26.org**agricultural production dynamics are of mosaic diversification (without interactions Structure de recherche appliquée en productions végétales et agriculture biologique (France): www.grab.frhinged on ecological processes—has between crops) and association (with interactions *** Centres d’initiatives pour valoriser l’agriculture et le milieu rural (France): led to a profound paradigm shift. This implies between crops) in mixed systems. This research www.civampaca.org reaching beyond the prior management and is conducted on the basis of the portfolio Contacts control rationale, which sought to overcome theory to quantify the effects of diversification Marc Tchamitchian (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), environmental variability, so as to develop on risk, and the land equivalent ratio concept marc.tchamitchian@inrae.fr forms of agriculture adapted to local soil- to measure the effects of association on yield. Rodolphe Sabatier (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), climate conditions. Variability in environmental Application of these theoretical precepts rodolphe.sabatier@inrae.fr conditions is thus a key element to be promoted. to a body of scientific literature revealed Raphaël Paut (Écodéveloppement, INRAE, France), In this setting a growing number of highly that associated horticultural crop systems raphael.paut@inrae.fr diversified systems are emerging, where fruit outperformed systems under a mosaic trees are combined with vegetables in so-called approach in terms of yield and risk. This For further information ‘orchard-market gardening’ agroforestry systems. research could be applied to design innovative • Paut R., Sabatier R., Tchamitchian M., 2020. Modelling It is essential to analyze the impacts of this cropping systems, in particular to sustainably crop diversification and association effects in agricultural diversification. boost their diversity. The findings could also systems. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 288: 106711. have broader implications for other agricultural https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.106711 To this end, our research team is collaborating systems (cereal crops, livestock, etc.). Finally, • Paut R., Sabatier R., Tchamitchian M., 2019. Reducing risk with extension and support structures (ADAF*, in addition to the agronomic benefits of these through crop diversification: an application of portfolio theory to diversified horticultural systems. Agric. Syst., 168: GRAB**, CIVAM***) to gain further insight into systems, close attention must be paid to the 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2018.11.002 the functioning of these systems. The research impact of such diversification on the complexity carried out proposes analytical frameworks to of labor organization and management practices. p The approaches developed help formalize and distinguish: (1) diversification effects when crops are arranged in a mosaic without interactions; (2) association effects when crops p An example of a mixed fruit tree–vegetable crop system, in southern France. © R. Paut are spatially associated. Bioturbation and ecosystem services in agroecosystems Progress in scientific knowledge on soil represent islands of fertility and biodiversity in Contactsecological functioning has revealed that agrosystems. They thereby provide a variety of Pascal Jouquet (iEES, IRD, France), pascal.jouquet@ird.frearthworms are emblematic of soil health ecosystem services, such as serving as refuges Vannak Ann (Institute of Technology of Cambodia, ITC, and quality, and consequently of agroecology. for biodiversity, improving plant productivity and Cambodia), ann.v@itc.edu.kh While this aura of earthworms is fully justified contributing to the dietary diversity and health of Chutinan Choosai (Khon Kaen University, KKU, Thailand), due to their importance in nutrient cycling, soil local communities. chucho@kku.ac.th organic matter protection, water cycling and soil erosion resistance, the role of termites—their For further information tropical counterparts—has received surprisingly (1) Jouquet P., Traoré S., Harit A., Choosai C., Cheik S., little attention(1). Like earthworms, termites Bottinelli N., 2020. Moving beyond the distinction between influence soil functioning at different the bright and dark sides of termites to achieve sustainable overlapping spatiotemporal scales and are development goals. Current Opinion in Insect Science, special issue Insects and Sustainable Development Goals, 40: 71-76. hence discrete but major actors in tropical https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2020.05.010 soils. They boost soil fertility by enriching soils (2) Jouquet P., Jamoteau F., Majumdar S., Podwokewski P., with clay and sometimes organic matter or Nagabovanalli P., Caner L., Bardoni D., Meunier J.-D., 2020. bioavailable silicon for plants(2). Termites live mainly The distribution of Silicon in soil is influenced by termite in the soil and play the same role as earthworms bioturbation in South Indian forest soils. Geoderma, 372: 114362. by digging networks of galleries and cavities https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114362 that increase the soil hydraulic conductivity and (3) Cheik, S., Bottinelli, N., Tran M.T., Doan, T.T., Jouquet P. water retention capacity(3). Yet their key feature 2019. Quantification of three dimensional characteristics of macrofauna macropores and their effects on soil hydraulic is their ability to produce termite mounds that p Termite mounds covered by specific vegetation conductivity in northern Vietnam. Frontiers in Environmental structure agricultural landscapes in Southeast Asia. that represent fertile biodiversity refuges in Science, 7(31). https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00031 128 By hosting specific flora and fauna(4), these mounds paddy fields. Cambodia, 2007. © P. Jouquet (4) Choosai C., Mathieu J., Hanboonsong Y., Jouquet P., 2009. Termite mounds and dykes are biodiversity refuges in paddy fields in north-eastern Thailand. Environmental Conservation, 36(1): 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892909005475 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The role of soil arthropods in soil health monitoring studies Soil health quantification is still dominated minimum- or no-tillage, organic fertilization and legs), reduced flying, jumping and running by chemical indicators despite growing cropping system diversification (i.e. rotation), adaptations, a thinner cuticle, etc. The presence appreciation of the importance of soil have proven to enhance soil organic matter of these ecomorphological features is used biodiversity, as further emphasized by the aggregate stabilization, nutrient retention and to calculate the synthetic QBS-ar index, European Commission’s recent recommendations water infiltration, while also having positive i.e. an arthropod community-based soil to include soil biodiversity as a soil health effects on soil microbial biomass and arthropod biological quality index(2,4). This cost-effective indicator). Soil arthropods—being involved communities(1). edaphic trait-based index is a useful tool for in organic matter decomposition and quantifying the impacts of extreme climatic translocation, nutrient cycling, soil structure Several soil arthropod groups can serve to events(1), land-use changes(2) and management improvement and water regulation—play a key monitor soil health, given their extreme level practices, such as no-tillage and the use of cover role in agroecosystem soil health maintenance. of adaptation to specific soil conditions. They crops(3). The index is representative of the whole Conventional agricultural practices increase feature reduced (or no) pigmentation and visual soil arthropod community and is efficient for soil erosion, compaction and pollution, apparatus, a streamlined body form with reduced highlighting poor soil health conditions. whereas agroecological practices, such as and more compact appendages (hairs, antennae, A B C D p Examples of soil arthropods used in QBS-ar index. © C. Menta Contacts A. Proturans are small soilborne primitive hexapods (0.5-2.5 mm) with no antennae, wings or Francesca Beggi (Alliance of Bioversity International and eyes. They are usually part of the decomposer community and feed mainly on fungal hyphae. CIAT, CGIAR, India), f.beggi@cgiar.org They are also important prey for small predators, such as spiders, mites and pseudoscorpions. Cristina Menta (University of Parma, Italy), B. Collembola are small (0.12-17 mm) wingless hexapods commonly known as ‘springtails’. cristina.menta@unipr.it They mostly feed on fungi, bacteria and decaying plant material. However, some species are predators, feeding on nematodes or on other Collembola. They are responsible for up to 30% of For further information total soil invertebrate respiration, depending on the habitat. (1) Lakshmi G., Beggi F., Menta C., Kumar N.K., Jayesh P., C. Pseudoscorpions are tiny (< 5 mm long) arachnids that are known as ‘false scorpions’ 2021. Dynamics of soil microarthropod populations because they look like scorpions but do not have an elongated postabdomen with a venomous affected by a combination of extreme climatic events in stinger at the end. Pseudoscorpions live under bark and stones, in leaf litter, caves and soil, tropical home gardens of Kerala, India. Pedobiologia, while preying on different pest species. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2021.150719 D. Beetle larvae, like many other insect larvae, have undergone numerous adaptations to live (2) Menta C., Conti F.D., Pinto S., Bodini A., 2018. Soil in the soil. In contrast to adult forms, the trophic niche of these larvae is completely dependent Biological Quality index (QBS-ar): 15 years of application on the soil habitat. at global scale. Ecol. Indic., 85: 773-780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.11.030 (3) Menta C., Conti F.D., Lozano Fondón C., Staffilani F., Remelli S., 2020. Soil arthropod responses in agroecosystem: implications of different management and cropping systems. Agronomy, 10: 982. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10070982 (4) Parisi V., Menta C., Gardi C., Jacomini C., Mozzanica E., 2005. Microarthropod communities as a tool to assess soil quality and biodiversity: a new approach in Italy. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 105: 323-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2004.02.002 129 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Methods and tools for better agricultural practices and landscape management Integrated soil fertility management Maximizing the fertilizer use efficiency towards sustainable intensification of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa Intensification of smallholder agriculture Recent review papers have confirmed that the Contactin sub-Saharan Africa is necessary to combined application of fertilizer and organic Bernard Vanlauwe (IITA, CGIAR, Kenya), address rural poverty and natural resource inputs commonly results in higher and more b.vanlauwe@cgiar.org degradation. Sustainable intensification denotes stable yields and increased agronomic efficiency, farming systems with increased and less variable yet the impact on soil organic carbon stocks Other authors crop yields and enhanced soil health. Integrated is less clear. Some exemplary interventions Theresa Ampadu-Boakye, Meklit Chernet, Danny Coyne, soil fertility management (ISFM) aims at increasing include dual purpose legume-cereal rotations Generose Nziguheba, Pieter Pypers, Richard Asare, crop yields while maximizing the agronomic with targeted crop-specific fertilizer applications, Freddy Baijukya, Mateete Bekunda, Stefan Hauser, efficiency (AE) of applied inputs. ISFM consists fertilizer micro-dosing systems combined Huising Jeroen, Alpha Kamara, Christine Kreye, Kokou Kintche, Leon Nabahungu, Rhys Manners, of a set of best practices, including the use with water harvesting and manure application, Cargele Masso, Patrick Mutuo and Godfrey Taulya of adapted germplasm, targeted use of and alternative cassava-legume intercrop (IITA, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Tanzania, Nigeria, fertilizer and organic resources, and good configurations with site-specific fertilizer inputs. DR Congo Rwanda, Cameroon, Burundi and Uganda agronomic practices (Figure). At the plot level, While ISFM does not aim at eliminating external respectively) ‘local adaptation’ (Figure) refers to the need for nutrient sources—an unrealistic goal if yield additional soil amendments or management to gaps are to be narrowed in African farming For further information address secondary limitations to maximizing AE, systems—it is fully aligned to levels 1 (input • Vanlauwe B., Bationo A., Chianu J., Giller K.E., Merckx R., including soil acidity, micronutrient deficiency or use efficiency) and 2 (substitute conventional Mokwunye U., Ohiokpehai O., Pypers P., Tabo R., Shepherd K., Smaling E., Woomer P.L., Sanginga N., 2010. hardpan formation. At the farm scale, tailoring inputs) regarding early transition to sustainable Integrated soil fertility management: operational definition fertilizer applications to within-farm soil fertility food systems, and partly to level 3 (redesign and consequences for implementation and dissemination. gradients could potentially boost AE as compared agroecosystems) through its focus on nitrogen- Outlook on Agriculture, 39: 17-24. to blanket recommendations, particularly in fixing legume integration in farming systems. The • Vanlauwe B., Descheemaeker K., Giller K.E., Huising J., settings where fertility gradients are strong. paper also explores how ISFM is aligned to the Merckx R., Nziguheba G., Wendt J., Zingore S., 2015. 10 agroecology elements, as recently defined by Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: FAO. Unravelling local adaptation. SOIL, 1: 491-508. • Vanlauwe B., Hungria M., Kanampiu F., Giller K.E., 2019. The role of legumes in the sustainable intensification of African smallholder agriculture: myths, lessons, and challenges for the future. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, In Press. t Conceptual relationship between the agronomic efficiency (AE) of fertilizers and organic resources and the implementation of various ISFM components, culminating in complete ISFM towards the right side of the graph. Soils that are responsive to NPK-based fertilizer and those that are poor and less responsive are distinguished. The ‘current practice’ step assumes the use of the current average fertilizer application rate in SSA of 8 kg fertilizer nutrients ha-1. The figure also distinguishes plot from farm-level ‘local adaptation’ interventions. Source: Vanlauwe et al. (2015) 130 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Learning as a first step towards agroecology Efficient irrigation strategies reduce nutrient losses and increase yields In complex agricultural systems, like irrigated depth during irrigation. A flag pops up when Contactagriculture, interventions applied in one place water reaches and fills the funnel at the bottom André van Rooyen (ICRISAT, CGIAR, Ethiopia), may have adverse and unexpected outcomes of the instrument and it can be extracted to a.vanrooyen@cgiar.org elsewhere. Agroecology principles are based on determine nitrate and salinity levels. The goal an understanding of ecology and minimizing the is to achieve high nitrate levels within the root For further information impacts of management strategies. Many farmers zone, while increased nitrate levels beyond this • Moyo M., Van Rooyen A., Bjornlund H., Parry K., do not have access to formal training, so learning zone indicate nutrient leaching. Data from Stirzaker R., Dube T., Maya M., 2020. The dynamics can be a key factor when measuring feedback these instruments enhance soil water and between irrigation frequency and soil nutrient management: transitioning smallholder irrigation towards from specific management actions. Successful nutrient management, while also providing more profitable and sustainable systems in Zimbabwe. irrigated agriculture is underpinned by knowing a learning opportunity. TISA project staff International Journal of Water Resources Development, when and how much to irrigate. The TISA project never guided farmers on decision making and 36(sup1): S102–S126. introduced tools to create a learning system farmers actually experimented and strengthened https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2020.1739513 to answer these questions. The Chameleon their mental models with the aim of retaining • Parry K., van Rooyen A.F., Bjornlund H., Kissoly L., is a handheld instrument that measures nutrients in the root zone by managing the water Moyo M., de Sousa W., 2020. The importance of learning soil moisture at three different depths. application frequency and quantity. Consequently, processes in transitioning small-scale irrigation schemes. International Journal of Water Resources Development, The tool’s value lies in the simple user interface. water productivity increased by more than 100%, 36(sup1): S199–S223. Three LEDs—one per depth, emitting red, green and farmer-to-farmer learning resulted in a wider https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2020.1767542 or blue—provide immediate information on impact than tool ownership. Finally, higher level • Van Rooyen A.F., Moyo M., Bjornlund H., Dube T., whether the soil is dry, moist or wet. A pair learning resulted in extension and governance Parry K., Stirzaker R., 2020. Identifying leverage points of wetting front detectors set up within and stakeholders facilitating profound institutional to transition dysfunctional irrigation schemes towards beyond the root zone indicates the wetting front change. complex adaptive systems. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 00(sup1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2020.1747409 p Influence diagram illustrating the systematic changes brought about by the soil moisture and nutrient monitoring tools (Loop A) and the agricultural innovation platform (Loop B) at Silalatshani irrigation scheme. Source: van Rooyen et al. (2020) q Explaining the use of the Chameleon to determine soil moisture at three different depths. q Illustrating the use of nitrate testing strips. © van Rooyen 131 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology Diversity for restoration A tool for guiding tree species and seed source selection to restore tropical forest landscapes In times of unprecedented human pressure site location, restoration site conditions species to contribute to restoration objectives; on the Earth’s ecosystems, tree-based and restoration objectives (Fig. A), the (iii) optimization of functional trait diversity or restoration of degraded forest landscapes is user receives recommendations on phylogenetic diversity to foster complementarity seen as fundamental to overcome current global combinations of species to plant, where to effects; and (iv) development of seed zone environmental and socioeconomic challenges, get the seeds, and how to propagate the maps (Fig. B) to guide the sourcing of planting with many countries worldwide setting ambitious species. The tool was originally developed for material adapted to present and expected future restoration targets. However, careful planning the tropical dry forests of Colombia but has now environmental conditions. While acknowledging is required to turn these commitments into been expanded to cover the tropical dry forests that the meanings and goals of restoration are successfully restored landscapes. An important of northwestern Peru–southern Ecuador and wide ranging, the tool is intended to support aspect of ensuring the long-term success of Burkina Faso, and further expansion is underway. decision making for anyone interested in restoration initiatives involving tree planting is Drawing on published literature and traditional tree-based restoration in tropical forest the selection of species and seed sources that are knowledge, the tool integrates: (i) species habitat landscapes, regardless of the purpose, and adapted to the restoration site conditions and suitability maps under current and future climatic it fosters the achievement of multiple meet the restoration objectives. Here we present conditions; (ii) analysis of functional trait data, objectives via optimal combinations of the user-friendly Diversity for Restoration* local ecological knowledge and other relevant species traits. online tool that is designed to assist decision species characteristics, such as the species threat makers and restoration practitioners with status, to score the species adaptations according this selection. Depending on the planting to local site conditions and the ability of these * D4R: www.diversityforrestoration.org t Figure A. User interface of the Diversity For Restoration tool, showing the map-based selection of the restoration site on the left and the selection of priority restoration objectives with their corresponding weight on the right. Other user inputs (not shown) include the restoration site conditions (e.g. compacted soils, steep slopes), the number of species to plant and the climate change scenario to take into account. Contacts Tobias Fremout (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Belgium/Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium), t.fremout@cgiar.org Barbara Vinceti (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Italy), b.vinceti@cgiar.org Evert Thomas (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Peru), e.thomas@cgiar.org Other author Marius Ekue (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Cameroon) For further information • Thomas E., Alcazar C., Moscoso L G.H., Vasquez A., Osorio L.F., Salgado-Negret B., Gonzalez M., Bozzano M., Loo J., Jalonen R., Ramirez W., 2017. The importance of species selection and seed sourcing in forest restoration for enhancing adaptive potential to climate change: Colombian tropical dry forest as a model. CBD Technical Series: Biodiversity and Climate Change: 122-132. • Fremout, T., Gutierrez-Miranda C.E., Briers S., Marcelo- Peña J.L., Cueva-Ortiz E., Linares-Palomino R., La Torre- Cuadros M. de los Á., Chang-Ruiz J.C., Villegas-Gómez T.L., Acosta-Florta A.H., Plouvier D., Atkinson R., Charcape- Ravelo M., Aguirre-Mendoza Z., Muys B., Thomas E., 2021. The value of local ecological knowledge to guide tree species selection in tropical dry forest restoration. Restoration Ecology: e13347. • Fremout T., Thomas E., Bocanegra-González K., Aguirre- Morales C.A., Morillo-Paz A.T., Atkinson R., Kettle C., p Figure B. Map of seed zones in Burkina Faso in the user interface of the Diversity For Restoration tool. González-M R., Alcázar-Caicedo C., González M.A., Seed zones are geographical areas within which seeds may be moved around while minimizing the risk of Gil-Tobón C., Gutiérrez J.P., Moscoso-Higuita L.G., maladaptation and disruption of population genetic patterns. To increase the probability that the planting Becerrá Lopez-Lavalle L.A., de Carvalho D., Muys B., 2021. material is well adapted to both present and future climatic conditions, the tool generates seed zone projections Dynamic seed zones to guide climate-smart seed sourcing 132 based on expected future climatic conditions. It then recommends sourcing 50% of the seeds from the present seed for tropical dry forest restoration in Colombia. Forest zone (shown here) and 50% from future seed zones, as predicted by different global climate models. Ecology and Management, 490:119127. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Accompanying rural actors in the agroecological transition A role-playing game approach Pathways to agroecological transition are - What impacts do practices have on ES? Indicators Contactswinding, context-specific, and seldom are co-built and used to develop role playing Émilie Coudel (SENS, CIRAD, France), consensual among actors. Beyond the games that will enable actors to assess and emilie.coudel@cirad.fr adoption of individual agroecological practices, it compare (over a few years) the constraints and Jean-Christophe Castella (SENS, IRD, France), is essential to find trade-offs between actors with impacts of different practices at the farm, village j.castella@ird.fr divergent interests so as to build more sustainable or landscape scale(3,4). Julien Blanco (SENS, IRD, France), landscapes. In this respect, accompanying - W hat trade-offs between ES? The pathways julien.blanco@ird.fr approaches—including participatory ecosystem identified via the games are simulated over service (ES) assessment—facilitate constructive 10- or 20-year periods using a computer model Other authors exchange between actors and help transcend to assess the long-term impacts of trade-offs Gabriel Resque (Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Brazil) mere confrontation of viewpoints(1). In our between different ES in relation to wellbeing(3,4). Christophe Le Page (SENS, CIRAD, France) research in different regions worldwide, we use Actors’ step-by-step participation in trade- Martine Antona (SENS, CIRAD, France) Companion Modeling (ComMod) approaches off negotiations heightens their understanding that provide a forum for actors to discuss of how their practices shape the simulated For further information options and uncertainties related to the use, landscape dynamics. (1) Barnaud C., Corbera E., Muradian R., Salliou N., Sirami C., maintenance and trade-offs between ES (e.g. food Vialatte A., Choisis J.-P., Dendoncker N., Mathevet R., production, biodiversity preservation, carbon Through these participatory approaches Moreau C., Reyes-García V., Boada M., Deconchat M., storage; pollinating insects, etc.) in agroforestry and the assessment of scenarios for Cibien C., Garnier S., Maneja R., Antona M., 2018. Ecosystem services, social interdependencies, and collective action: a landscapes. These approaches involve three key transforming individual and collective conceptual framework. Ecology and Society, 23(1): 15. steps: practices, actors are involved in knowledge https://doi.org/10.5751/ - Which ES? Actors define the situation to be sharing and enhance their insight into (2) Blanco J., Sourdril A., Deconchat M., Barnaud C., considered and prioritize the ES attributed to the linkages between resource use San Cristobal M., Andrieu E., 2020. How farmers feel about different practices and land uses (e.g. slash- and ES. In this way, they contribute, along with trees: perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices and-burn, cash crops, agroforestry systems, researchers, to defining initiatives required to associated with rural forests in southwestern France. conservation), during individual interviews(2,4) or establish sustainable and equitable agroecological Ecosystem Services, 42: 101066. collective workshops(3,4) . socioecosystems. (3) Castella J.C., Lestrelin G., 2021. Explorer l’impact environnemental des transformations agraires en Asie du Sud-Est grâce à l’évaluation participative des services écosystémiques. Cahiers Agricultures, 200088. doi: 10.1051/cagri/2020042 (4) Resque G., Perrier E., Coudel E., Braga L. Fontes V., Carneiro R., Navegantes L., Le Page C., 2021. Discussing ecosystem services in management of agroecosystems: a role playing game in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Agroforestry systems. doi:10.1007/s10457-021-00633-7 133 p Role-playing game on forest restoration in Amazonia, Brazil. © K. Naudin/Refloramaz project, 2018 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Methods and tools for assessment and learning to support agroecosystem transitions Co-designing new organizational strategies to promote biodiversity access A key challenge for the agroecological transition p Presentation of the Adaptive Governance for the Coexistence of Crop Diversity Management Systems (CoEx) project at Niakhar, Senegal. © V. Labeyrie/CIRAD P romoting farmers’ access to diverse framework to gain insight into: (i) how the p Bambara groundnut seeds, Ethiolo, Senegal. genetic resources and associated diverse range of actors and the structuring © V. Labeyrie/CIRADknowledge is a major challenge of the of their interactions affect agrobiodiversity agroecological transition. Current agricultural dynamics; and (ii) what implications they Combining this type of approach with genetic models prioritize centralized production and have with regard to farmers’ ability to models further broadens the perspectives. An circulation of these resources. Such models harness it. The theoretical framework of ongoing collaboration with a group of about are, however, limited in their ability to deal socioecological networks is relevant in this 20 French small-scale seed producers and with global changes because they do not foster respect(1). A second challenge is to develop two genetics laboratories* aims to co-design agroecosystem resilience. It is thus urgent appropriate co-design methods, and and assess the potential impacts of a change to characterize the plurality of ways farmers modeling is promising in this respect. in organization with regard to the level of manage agrobiodiversity and to understand their For instance, to support West African farmers genetic diversity managed via different scenarios. impact on its availability so as to co-design new in their reflection on the implementation of These experiments with local networks open management methods that are tailored to each new agrobiodiversity management institutions, up interesting avenues for co-designing new context and address changes underway. a combination of role-playing games with multi- agrobiodiversity management methods. agent systems helps them collectively discuss * Quantitative Genetics and Evolution-Le Moulon and Genetic To this end, the first challenge is to develop several scenarios to secure their seed supply and Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants a unified conceptual and methodological sustain dynamic conservation of local varieties(2). joint research units (France). Contacts For further information Vanesse Labeyrie (SENS, CIRAD, France), (1) Labeyrie V., Antona M., Baudry J., Bazile D., Bodin Ö., (2) Belem M., Bazile D., Coulibaly H., 2018. Simulating the vanesse.labeyrie@cirad.fr Caillon S., Leclerc C., Le Page C., Louafi S., Mariel J., impacts of climate variability and change on crop varietal Mathieu Thomas (SENS, CIRAD, France), Massol F., Thomas M., 2021. Networking agrobiodiversity diversity in Mali (West-Africa) using agent-based modeling mathieu.thomas@cirad.fr management to foster biodiversity-based agriculture. A approach. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41(1): 1-15. 21(2): 8. https://doi.org/10.18564/jasss.3690 Didier Bazile (SENS, CIRAD, France), didier.bazile@cirad.fr Agroecological principles as design guides Agroecology ideas have a long history and have been gaining attention recently as they aim to simultaneously address productivity, nutritional, social and environmental concerns about the sustainability of agriculture and food systems. Agroecology manifests as science, practice and social movements and has been defined in multiple ways, thereby giving rise to the ‘multiple agroecologies’ concept. Principles, defined as ‘statements that provide guidance on how to behave towards a desired result’, are needed to navigate such a complex and adaptive space. …cont’d ☞ 134 p The subframes of the innovation frame have both a ‘counter-pole’ that centers the collective agency of people and a dominant pole that decenters people’s collective agency. © 2021 Anderson and Maughan Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The evolution of agroecology principles normative and causative elements of principles Contacts has been mapped and a consolidated set of and presents counter principles as continua Richard Coe (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya), r.coe@cgiar.org 13 proposed(1) but, as agroecology means many between two ‘poles’. The positions on such Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF, CGIAR, Kenya/School of Natural different things, it is rare to find them all continua of any stakeholder in an innovation Sciences, Bangor University, UK), f.sinclair@cgiar.org followed with equal vigor. This raises questions: platform influences their innovation frame and do they all need to be followed to claim that hence likely outcomes (Figure previous page)(3). For further information an initiative is ‘agroecological’; does violating A recent framework for analyzing agroecological (1) Wezel A. et al., 2020. Agroecological principles and any of the principles render something not development projects proposes 21 principles elements and their implications for transitioning to agroecological, or is it sufficient to work on the —classified as ecological, socioecological, political sustainable food systems. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev., 40. basis of being more or less agroecological, in line and methodological—and highlights how they (2) HLPE, 2019. Agroecological and other innovative with agroecological transitions moving systems apply at different scales(4). Within an innovation approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. High Level Panel of towards greater equity and sustainability? Strong and development process at any particular scale, Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee statements of principles have counter principles the principles that are being employed can be on World Food Security. that describe alternative actions or behaviors. made explicit. Where institutions and their (3) Anderson C.R., Maughan C., 2021. ‘The innovation Being explicit about these counter principles innovation platforms or projects make imperative’: the struggle over agroecology in the highlights the decisions that have to made on the such positions clear, this guides design and international food policy arena. Front. Sustain. Food Syst., basis of values or beliefs about what is important. makes claims for being agroecologically 5: 619185. The HLPE Agroecology report(2) distinguishes transparent and accountable. (4) Kapgen D., Roudart L., 2020. Proposal of a principle cum scale analytical framework for analysing agroecological development projects. Agroecol. Sustain. Food Syst. MEANS platform A conceptual framework and INRAE-CIRAD tool for multicriteria assessment of agrosystem sustainability The agroecological transition encompasses since 2018—provides tools and databases models then used to assess pollutant emissions a broad range of practices and system to enable multicriteria decision analysis and resource consumption. This reference tool changes. It raises many questions of plant, animal and product processing is used to generate the agricultural component regarding its influence on various functions and systems. It hosts research-derived of the Agribalyse database dedicated to the impacts of agriculture: productivity, profitability, sustainability assessment tools designed, environmental impacts of agricultural and environmental impacts, ecosystem services, for instance, for fruit crops (DEXiFruits), field food products in France. The MEANS platform work, product quality, etc. Multicriteria Decision crops (Masc) and poultry farms (Diamond). continues to be developed to serve scientists and Analysis aims to shed light on these different Environmental sustainability is addressed through stakeholders in the sectors impacted by changes areas and helps guide choices on potential future life cycle assessment, with the development in agricultural practices (vegetable and animal directions. This is a vast field that includes of dedicated software, i.e. MEANS-InOut, production, organic farming, etc.). The platform many tools and methodological approaches. which underpins the creation of agricultural seeks to better account for the complexity The MEANS platform—launched in 2012 by production inventories. Input interfaces facilitate and diversity of agroecological practices and to INRAE and co-developed by INRAE and CIRAD the reconstruction of technical sequences, with develop socioeconomic assessment tools. Contacts Joël Aubin (SAS, INRAE, France), joel.aubin@inrae.fr Jean-Marie Paillat (Recycling and Risk, CIRAD, France), jean-marie.paillat@cirad.fr For further information • Lairez J., Feschet P., Aubin J., Bockstaller C., Bouvarel I., 2015. Agriculture et développement durable, guide pour l’évaluation multicritère. Educagri Éditions/Éditions Quae, Dijon/Versailles, 232 p. • MEANS platform: www6.inrae.fr/means • ACVBio project, Life cycle assessment of organic products: http://itab.asso.fr/activites/projetacv.php p An example of a tool hosted on the MEANS platform: DEXIFruits devoted to fruit system sustainability assessment. Evaluating the environmental impacts of organic farming Life cycle assessment must do better L ife cycle assessment (LCA) is the most widely used method for environmental assessment of agricultural systems and their products(1). LCA estimates the environmental impact of a given product based on all stages of its life cycle, from the outset (raw material extraction), via its production and use, to its disposal or recycling. Pollutant emissions and resource use for each of these stages are quantified. The data are then aggregated into a small number of impact indicators (climate change, eutrophication, energy use, land use, etc.). …cont’d ☞ u Conventional farming produces higher yields, but 135 organic farming offers other advantages. © Yen Strandqvist/Chalmers University of Technology Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology Current LCA methods and studies tend to LCA studies solely to indirect land use changes Contacts promote intensive high-input agricultural based on economic models that overlook Hayo van der Werf (SAS, INRAE, Institut Agro-Rennes, systems while misrepresenting less societal change factors and the impacts of France), hayo.van-der-werf@inrae.fr intensive agroecological systems, such as policy instruments. We identify three key areas Marie Trydeman Knudsen (Aarhus University, Denmark), organic farming. This is partly due to the fact that (additional indicators, broader outlook, indirect mariet.knudsen@agro.au.dk the LCA approach focuses on products, without effects) for which we propose recommendations Christel Cederberg (Chalmers University of Technology, taking other ecosystem services of agricultural for LCA users, as well as research priorities. Sweden), christel.cederberg@chalmers.se systems into account, and also because aspects LCA studies must take impacts on that agroecology targets for improvement (soil biodiversity and soil quality as well as For further information quality, biodiversity status, pesticide impacts) are pesticide impacts into account to ensure (1) van der Werf H.M.G., Knudsen M.T., Cederberg C., seldom considered. Intensive agricultural systems a balanced comparison of conventional 2020. Towards better representation of organic agriculture in life cycle assessment. Nature Sustainability, 3: 419-425. are further promoted by the current trend of agriculture and agroecology. limiting the consideration of indirect effects in Agrosystem modelling and simulation via the RECORD platform Several disciplines such as agronomy, results in over-specialization with the focus different services, including three that economics, sociology and ecology placed on one specific aspect of the system, are useful when focusing on agroecology: need to be combined in the design thereby impeding a holistic approach. Major model coupling, decision process modeling and development of agroecosystem gains in modeling quality and efficiency and experimental design simulation. models. Yet the integration of all of these are possible through the use of a platform …cont’d components into a model is complex and often such as RECORD, which offers modelers ☞ Contacts Faverdin P., Gascuel-Odoux C., Garcia F., 2013. An open • Robert M., Thomas A., Sekhar M., Raynal H., Casellas E., Hélène Raynal (AGIR, INRAE, France), platform to build, evaluate and simulate integrated models Casel P., Chabrier P., Joannon A., Bergez J.-E., 2018. A helene.raynal@inrae.fr of farming and agro-ecosystems. Environmental Modelling dynamic model for water management at the farm level and Software, 39: 39-49. 10.1016/j.envsoft.2012.03.011 integrating strategic, tactical and operational decisions. Éric Casellas (MIAT, INRAE, France), eric.casellas@inrae.fr • Bergez J.E. et al., 2014. Evolution of the STICS crop Environmental Modelling and Software, 100: 123-135. model to tackle new environmental issues: new formalisms doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.11.013 - and integration in the modelling and simulation platform http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/414295 For further information RECORD. Environmental Modelling and Software, Special • Tibi A., Therond O., 2017. Évaluation des services • Bergez J.-E., Chabrier P., Gary C., Jeuffroy M.H., issue on agricultural systems modelling and software: écosystémiques rendus par les écosystèmes agricoles. Une Makowski D., Quesnel G., Ramat E., Raynal H., Rousse N., current status and future prospects. contribution au programme EFESE. Synthèse du rapport Wallach D., Debaeke P., Durand P., Duru M., Dury J., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.07.010 d’étude. Inra, France, 118 p. p Graphical interface of the Atcha model. This interface facilitates use of the model via different menus. The ‘scenario parameters’ menu allows users to input the simulation parameter values (e.g. choice of year) and to launch the simulation (bottom left). Other interfaces display the simulation results, such as the temporal variations in the water table (top right), the crop dynamics 136 on a plot (top center), and statistical representations such as the frequency of crop failure (bottom right). This application is used to test different scenarios. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems In the framework of water management research system components and their interactions a co-design approach with stakeholders. Finally, carried out under climate change and water (see p. 74). Decision-making processes the multi-simulation tools enable extension of scarcity conditions on a small watershed scale involved in agroecosystem management the models on different spatiotemporal scales. in India*, several models developed at different have been mainstreamed into these models. A model initially developed at the cultivated scales reflect the hydrological functioning on The integrated ATCHA model* simulates the field scale was simulated at multiple points farms and in territories. These models are used behavior of farmers who have to make daily (experimental design) for potential application to test different adaptation scenarios (choice of decisions regarding the operational management throughout France**. crops and irrigation methods) with the aim of of cultivated plot irrigation. It also simulates safeguarding water resources while maintaining strategic farm management scenarios, in terms * ATCHA ANR project, Accompanying the adaptation of irrigated agriculture to climate change: www6.inrae.fr/atcha farmers’ income. These models were designed of the choice of crops to be planted in plots ** See the EFESE-EA study, Évaluation française des écosystèmes by coupling existing models developed by according to the state of water resources and et des services écosystémiques visant à faire l’évaluation des services écosystémiques rendus par l’agriculture française: several communities (agronomists, hydrologists, the choice of irrigation level. ATCHA* modelling www6.paris.inrae.fr/depe/Page-d-accueil/Actualites/EFESE economists) in order to represent the different and scenario development were carried out using Biofunctool®: a low tech field tool for soil health assessment A ssessing the impact of changes in current level of the functions in the field. To in many landscapes (> 900 points), mainly agricultural practices on soil health is overcome these methodological shortcomings, in the tropics (Asia and Africa) and under a a key challenge of the agroecological a new integrative soil health assessment range of soil-climate conditions. A soil health transition. Soil health implies the capacity of method has been proposed that takes into index (Fig. B) incorporating the indicators was the soil to function and provide ecosystem account the relationships between the developed to summarize the overall impact of services. Yet current assessment methods physicochemical properties and biological practices on soil health. Another index based on are mainly based on stock indicators (C, N, activity of soils. This so-called Biofunctool® two tools (POXC, which measures labile carbon, microbial biomass, etc.) and generally do not method(1,2) includes nine rapid low-cost field and SituResp®, which measures basal respiration) incorporate dynamic functional indicators related indicators (Fig. A) for assessing three main soil determines the impact of agricultural practices to the role of the soil biota. When these functions: carbon dynamics, nutrient cycling and on carbon dynamics (mineralizing system vs. functional measurements are carried out, this soil structure maintenance. The ability of all stabilizing system)(3). Biofunctool® can help is mostly done under standardized laboratory of the indicators to assess the impact of land farmers to better understand the impact of their conditions which do not necessarily reflect the management on soil health has been validated cultivation practices on soil functioning. Contacts Alain Brauman (Eco&Sols, IRD, France), alain.brauman@ird.fr Alexis Thoumazeau (ABSYS, CIRAD, France), alexis.thoumazeau@cirad.fr For further information (1) Brauman A., Thoumazeau A., 2020. Biofunctool® : un outil de terrain pour évaluer la santé des sols, basé sur la mesure de fonctions issues de l’activité des organismes du sol. Étude et gestion des sols, 27(1): 289-303. (2) Thoumazeau A., Bessou C., Renevier M., Trap J., Marichal R., Mareschal L., Decaëns T., Bottinelli N., Jaillard B., Chevallier T., Suvannang N., Sajjaphan K., Thaler P., Gay F., Brauman A., 2019. Biofunctool®: a new framework to assess the impact of land management on soil quality. Part A: concept and validation of the set of indicators. Ecol. Indic., 97: 100-110. (3) Thoumazeau A., Chevallier T., Baron V., Rakotondrazafy N., Panklang P., Marichal R., Kibblewhite M., Sebag D., Tivet F., Bessou C., Gay F., Brauman A., 2020. A new in-field indicator to assess the impact of land management on soil carbon dynamics. Geoderma, 375: art. 114496 [10 p.]. p Figure A. Biofunctool®: list of indicators used for each function. t Figure B. Illustration of a soil health index produced by Biofunctool®. (2019) Impact of land use change (cassava to rubber plantation) on soil functioning along a 24-year rubber plantation chronosequence. From Thoumazeau et al. 137 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Living labs, facilitators of agrifood chain transformation A remote support system for multipartner agroecological research in Senegal A groecological practice known for a not necessarily statistically significant due to the long time for its beneficial impacts on experimental conditions (few field replications, crop production, inoculation of plants heterogeneous plots). They may vary according with biofertilizing microorganisms (rhizobia and to the sites: inoculation sometimes has no impact, mycorrhizal fungi) has yet to be applied in West or may even slightly inhibit growth, as noted at Africa. Researchers, farmers, extension agents, Mont-Rolland with the Mbaye Ngagne variety. Far farmers’ organizations, NGOs, entrepreneurs and from discouraging stakeholders, the findings have political leaders have gone beyond sporadic trials sparked reflection on the importance of selecting and developed a system that provides remote the most efficient variety/microorganism pairs and support of multipartner research (DIAADEM). the need to strengthen collective experimental It is based on shared decision making and monitoring capacities in order to obtain statistically continuous exchange via email and smartphone significant data. Beyond enabling us to define to ensure collective trial implementation, the most efficient application methods according monitoring and harvesting, capitalization of the to the species, practices and ecogeographical results and information, while facilitating training zones, they have raised awareness on the and reciprocal capacity building. DIAADEM was need to consider the whole chain, from launched in 2019 with more than 30 trials in production to the use of inocula, including 14 communities in Senegal and is now gradually quality control, compliance with the Nagoya being developed in West Africa. This initiative has protocol, information dissemination, etc. The confirmed that inoculation influences plant collective is currently developing its charter, its growth, vigor, resistance to pathogens and socioeconomic approach and a numeric platform physical stress, and even taste quality. The so as to make DIAADEM a living, equitable and results are sometimes impressive (> 80% yield gain sustainable field laboratory. p Map of test sites in Senegal. for the Melakh cowpea variety in Coki), although A B t Trial in the vicinity of the Ndiob, rainy season (2019). Twenty-five rows of cowpeas (accession chosen by the farmer) presented by a DIAADEM member farmer. Photo A. Control plot. Photo B. Dual inoculation plot with mycorrhiza (produced in Darou Mousty) + rhizobium (produced at LCM). Contact contact@filinoc.org Authors Marc Neyra (LSTM, IRD, France) Tatiana Krasova-Wade (LCM, IRD, Senegal) Antoine Le Quéré (LCM, IRD, Senegal) Fabrice Gouriveau (SRIV, IRD, France) For further information • Fil’Inoc, une filière de valorisation des microorganismes symbiotiques des plantes pour le développement de l’agroécologie familiale en Afrique de l’Ouest: https://view.genial. ly/6076e741fbd35a0da5064b6e • Le Quéré A., Diop S., Dehaene N., Niang D., Do Rego F., Fall S., Neyra M., Karsova-Wade T., Development of an Illumina p The photographs (left) illustrate cowpea growth 1 month after sowing. based analysis method to study Three blocks (replications) each contain four 150 m2 elementary plots: a control plot corresponding to the local practice ‘T’, a plot bradyrhizobial population structure. inoculated with rhizobia ‘R’, a plot inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi ‘M’ and a plot inoculated with rhizobia and mycorrhizal Case study on nitrogen fixing 138 fungi ‘M+R’. The histogram (right) shows the mean (and standard deviation) cowpea seed production at term for the four rhizobia associating with cowpea treatments. or peanut. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (Under revision). Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Potential of living labs for the agroecological transition L iving labs are open innovation arrangements the European Commission confirmed its interest in Local experimentation builds on a significant flow underpinned by three principles— the development and networking of living labs for of knowledge, know-how and data consolidated user involvement, co-creation and agroecology. The ALL-Ready** project is one of the through a community of experienced stakeholders. contextualization. They are called upon to an two Concerted Specific Actions selected to design Indicators have been developed to identify increasing extent by R&D policymakers for the this European network. initiatives in Europe that are likely to lead to transition of agricultural systems. In 2015, a report* change and thereby structure a network to submitted to the French Ministry of Agriculture Living labs echo the paradigm shifts required by underpin these flows of knowledge, data and proposed the creation of territorial innovation agroecology (think ‘diversity and system’ first, experience. Research infrastructures will play a key laboratories for agroecology and bioeconomics. contextualize rather than isolate, theorize while role in supporting the production system redesign Since 2018, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has ‘doing’). Multiactor interdisciplinary approaches process. The next steps will involve mapping initiatives been implementing an innovative incentive policy fueled by novel agronomy, sociology, economics across Europe and launching a pilot network to that engages its research system, administration and ergonomics trends are leveraged. ALL-Ready ensure that operations undertaken by ALL-Ready will and partners in the so-called Living Lab Initiative relies on the complementary expertise of its be rooted in the reality of the field situation. to enhance agricultural resilience. In 2019, France 13 partners to accelerate the agroecological * Report: Agriculture Innovation 2025, 30 projets pour une agriculture focused its 3rd Plan d’investissement d’avenir on transition by opening the co-design of compétitive & respectueuse de l’environnement ** ALL-Ready project, The European Agroecology Living Lab and Research transitions at local levels through the development proposals to a diverse range of stakeholders Infrastructure Network: Preparation phase, www.all-ready-project.eu. of living labs, and 10 of the 24 selected projects were (including consumers and citizens), and by This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmme under Grant Agreement No oriented towards agroecological transition. In 2019, involving them in field-tested innovations. 101000349 (ALL-Ready). p Design of the European network of living labs and research infrastructures for the agroecological transition. The work of the European ALL-Ready project (2021-2024) is organized in eight work packages (WPs). Contacts For further information Muriel Mambrini-Doudet (Management Board, INRAE, • Caquet T., Gascuel C., Tixier-Boichard M., 2020. France), muriel.mambrini@inrae.fr Agroecology: research for the transition of agri-food systems Chantal Gascuel (Scientific Directorate for the and territories. Ed. Quae, Versailles. 96 p. Environment, INRAE, France), chantal.gascuel@inrae.fr • Mc Phee C., Bancerz M., Mambrini-Doudet M., Bastian Göldel (Direction of higher Education, Sites and Chrétien F., Huyghe C., Gracia-Garza J., 2021. The defining Europe, DESSE, INRAE, France), bastian.goldel@inrae.fr characteristics of agroecosystem living labs. Sustainability, 13(4): 1718. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041718 Heather McKhann (Direction of higher Education, Sites and Europe, DESSE, INRAE, France), heather.mckhann@inrae.fr 139 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Key processes, methods and tools for agroecology Participatory design of new production systems with better ecosystem service and climate adaptation performances in Colombia and Honduras A lthough agroecology and climate-smart 3. Platform members characterize the strengths 5. Platform members test the identified solutions agriculture are generally presented and weaknesses of their farms in order to draw on their farms. At both sites, 60 farmers tested as opposed concepts, designing up an action plan combining trials, workshops portfolios of selected solutions. agroecological farming systems can generate and exchanges. The project also includes a 6. Data generated by the monitoring system synergies between the three pillars of climate- system for monitoring the project outputs and defined in phase 3 are used to validate the smart agriculture: (i) food security; (ii) adaptation outcomes. ability of the process to meet the agreed to climate change; and (iii) mitigation of 4. P latform members define the technical and objectives and to decide on whether it is greenhouse gas emissions. This implies tailoring organizational options they want to explore worthwhile continuing with a new cycle of the existing frameworks to codesign agroecological based on agroecological principles (particularly process (restarting at phase 3). We showed farming systems. A study conducted in Cauca diversity, recycling, efficiency and resilience). positive changes in farmers’ knowledge on (Colombia) and (Lempira) Honduras A calculator is used to ex-ante assess outcomes concepts such as climate change, along with a explored the specific features of such a under the three CSA pillars. Solutions such as positive process of adoption of tested practices framework involving seven phases: vegetable home gardens with drip irrigation, a since farmers increased the initial experimental 1. Identification of an area where the community solar dryer for banana co-products, improved area or invested their own resources to and/or local stakeholders have an interest in drought-tolerant bean, sorghum and maize continue implementing them. developing practices to tackle climate change. varieties were selected to help diversify the 7. Public policies and enabling conditions are 2. I dentified stakeholders agree on specific production system and enhance food security analyzed to identify scaling mechanisms objectives of the platform and how it will on farms growing cash crops. Compost, water (programs, subsidies, incentives, etc.) of the operate. In our study sites, the platforms harvesting tanks and biopesticides were options tested within the platforms. involved organizations or farmers, NGOs selected to curb chemical agricultural input that acted as facilitators, public institution use. representatives and scientists. p Phases of the codesign process. Source: Andrieu et al. (2019) Contact • Andrieu N., Howland F., Acosta Alba I., Le Coq J-F. 2020. Can an innovation platform support a local process Nadine Andrieu (Innovation, CIRAD, France), Osorio A.M., Martinez-Baron D., Gamba Trimiño C., of climate-smart agriculture implementation? A case nadine.andrieu@cirad.fr Loboguerrero A.M., Chia E., 2019. Co-designing study in Cauca, Colombia. Agroecology and sustainable food climate-smart farming systems with local stakeholders: systems, 44(3): 378-411. a methodological framework for achieving large-scale For further information • Acosta-Alba I., Chia E., Andrieu N., 2019. The LCA4CSA change. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. framework: using life cycle assessment to strengthen • Acosta-Alba I., Boissy J., Chia E., Andrieu N., 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00037 environmental sustainability analysis of climate smart Integrating diversity of smallholder coffee cropping • Osorio-García A.M., Paz L., Howland F., Ortega L.A, agriculture options at farm and crop system levels. systems in Environmental Analysis. The International Journal Acosta-Alba I., Arenas L., Chirinda N., Martinez-Baron D., Agric. Syst., 177: 155-170. of Life Cycle Assessment, 25: 252-266. Bonilla Findji O., Loboguerrero A.M., Chia E., Andrieu N., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.02.001 140 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Knowledge management for innovation in agrifood systems based on equity, participation and sustainability K nowledge is a critical enabling factor hub has a physical infrastructure, including research farm advisors, scientists, research centres, for healthy agrifood innovation systems. platforms, modules, extension and impact areas, private initiative, government actors, CIMMYT has led the development of an which are used for networking, knowledge etc.—that collaborate around a common agricultural knowledge management for innovation exchange and co-creation. In the research objective: innovation in the agrifood system (AKM4I) framework that addresses systemic platforms, local partners evaluate technologies to make it more sustainable, productive, interactions favoring innovation by formalizing and local tacit knowledge to develop research- profitable and resilient. CIMMYT hubs flows and management of information and based recommendations for farmers. In the prioritize the development of strong partnerships, knowledge between diverse sets of stakeholders; modules, farmers—alongside other stakeholders— where operations and activities are defined while explicitly considering previously unresolved implement and adapt identified best practices through reciprocal alliances formed around practical and relational barriers, with the aim and compare them with conventional practices. common objectives. The model considers farmers of facilitating more equitable, rapidly evolving Extension areas are fields where farmers test as important change agents who are pivotal and actionable knowledge generation and new technologies in connection with modules to the approach. The hub model structure has management for innovation and transformational or research platforms, whereas in impact areas fostered real interactions among farmers and the change. The AKM4I framework was developed farmers have adapted and adopted similar scientific community, leading to a more equitable during CIMMYT’s decade-long work on innovation knowledge, technologies and innovations on approach to knowledge generation, adaptation in maize- and wheat-based systems in Mexico, their own. This infrastructure is used to and adoption. organized in agroecologically distinct hubs. Each build a network of stakeholders—farmers, Contacts Andrea Gardeazabal (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), a.gardeazabal@cgiar.org, Nele Verhulst (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), n.verhulst@cgiar.org Bram Govaerts (CIMMYT, CGIAR, Mexico), b.govaerts@cgiar.org For further information • Gardeazabal A., Lunt T., Jahn M.M., Verhulst N., Hellin J., Govaerts B., 2021. Knowledge management for innovation in agri-food systems: a conceptual framework. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, In press. • Liedtka J., Salzman R., Azer D., 2017. Design Thinking for the greater good: innovation in the social sector. Columbia University Press, USA. http://cup.columbia.edu/book/design-thinking-for-the- greater-good/9780231179522 p A schematic illustration of CIMMYT hubs. Adapted from Gardeazabal et al. (2021) 141 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Contribution of digital technology to agroecology Digital augmentation supports agroecological transformation of agrifood systems in African and Asian drylands The way we farm, grow and consume our of-the-art digital augmentation to interlink nutrition, duration of rice and pulse varieties food has a significant impact on the long- various elements of systems level solutions help prioritize areas suitable for growing pulses term sustainability of agrifood systems for inclusive development. within a short window between two cereal crops, and global health. Sustainable production systems with the aim of boosting income, nutrition and cannot be built on monocropping. They require a This involves crop/variety choices and management resource-use efficiency, while restoring ecosystem certain level of diversification of farming systems practices that address the needs of a specific place functions. Timely access to contextual information and landscapes with mixed crops, trees and and resource-use efficiency target, while prioritizing also enhances decision-making for target scaling livestock to preserve soil health and biodiversity, areas for inclusive agroecosystems. Therefore, of pulses in rice fallows in eastern India. Similarly, which provide the basis for human health and GeoAgro(1) based digital augmentation—driven by site-specific demand driven in-season agronomic that of the planet. Agrifood systems are at the geotagging, agrotagging, Earth observation, machine advisory outputs supports Egyptian agriculture crossroads of agroecological transformation. learning and with ICT-enabled citizen science— which is dominated by an irrigated wheat-based Scaling of such transformation requires systematic provides essential entry points for scaling site- system that is highly inefficient with regard to quantification and characterization of farming specific advisory services/information. For example, water use, fertilizer application and agronomic gain. system dynamics and farm typologies at much real-time mapping of rice-fallow dynamics, farm Digitalization of agricultural research and outreach higher site- and agroecological zone-specific typologies in terms of the length of the crop also helps empower extension advisories and spatiotemporal granularity. This requires state- fallows, start and end dates, residual soil moisture, foster farmer adoption of site-specific packages of practices for crop, water and nutrient management driven by in-season decision-making. Such digital innovation tools(2) are accelerating agroecological transformation with inclusive development of smallholder farming systems in Asia and Africa. Contact Chandrashekhar Biradar (ICARDA, CGIAR, Egypt), c.biradar@cgiar.org For further information (1) ICARDA GeoAgro web portal, 2021: https://geoagropro.icarda.org/ (accessed on April 29, 2021) (2) ICARDA GeoAgro Pro digital advisory tools, 2021: https://geoagropro.icarda.org/tools-apps/ (accessed on April 29, 2021) Agroecology and digital technology – a synergic interface Imaging and signal processing breakthroughs necessary situations, thereby enabling savings become a tool for crop(2) and herd(3) management. have led to spectacular progress over the last while reducing pollution that is harmful to health These advances are being assimilated by the decade. The current rapidity of information and the environment. Combining signal analysis market, in a ‘ready-made’ vision of agroecology. processing facilitates integration for real-time with plant development models helps identify Actors embrace this technological agriculture action. An emblematic example concerns the situations that requiring intervention(1). Real- because it offers improvements without tailoring of pesticide treatments only to specific time phenotyping in the field will thus gradually disrupting the conventional agriculture rationale. …cont’d ☞ p Example of an image capture, analysis and interpretation chain for targeted modification of weed control operations. 142 Image processing chain that successfully discriminates the crop to be preserved from the weeds to be managed. The process uses image processing algorithms backed up by registered registers. This round trip between acquired and stored data illustrates the importance of internet coverage of the territory. From Gée et al. (2021). Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems The current hypothesis is that a conservation real-time measurement of crop biophysical biological control strategy, combined with a parameters. New technologies help streamline diversification of crop risks and the choice of interventions. Future situations can even be adapted varieties, with or without the use of better foreseen while securing the systemic protective microbiota, will be able to mitigate the and preventive dimension of the ecosystem— risks in many situations. These genetic, agronomic curative pesticide interventions then become and ecological levers are based on in-depth exceptional. Management above all aims to boost digital technology generated knowledge of the the robustness of the agrosystem by preserving agrosystem functioning. Such a system has yet to all functions necessary to keep it in good health. For further information be developed, but a growing number of elements Agroecology will be successful if it manages to make it increasingly credible. decarbonize the economy and restore certain (1) Gée C., Denimal E., Merienne J., Larmure A., 2021. Evaluation of weed impact on wheat biomass by combining degraded environments. Under this paradigm, visible imagery with a plant growth model: towards new Sensors are already installed in the fields, others agroecology sets the objectives, while digital non-destructive indicators for weed competition. Precision on livestock and beehives, which makes them technology provides the means to manage this Agriculture, 1-19. real environmental sentinels (see bellow). transition. (2) Jin S., Sun X., Wu F., Su Y., Li Y., Song S., ... Guo Q., Mobile sensors mounted on machines enable 2021. Lidar sheds new light on plant phenomics for plant breeding and management: recent advances and future prospects. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Contacts Sensing, 171: 202-223. Xavier Reboud (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), (3) Lerch S., De La Torre A., Huau C., Monziols M., xavier.reboud@inrae.fr Xavier C., Louis L., ..., Pires J.A., 2021. Estimation of Christelle Gée (Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, France), dairy goat body composition: A direct calibration and christelle.gee@agrosupdijon.fr comparison of eight methods. Methods, 186: 68-78. Connected beehives – successfully dovetailing digital technology and biological monitoring Major breakthroughs have been achieved inspections, which are always stressful for bees. a discrepancy between numbers of entries and in remote monitoring of connected Different sensors document the harmonious exits could reflect excess bee mortality. This beehives. Hives were initially equipped functioning of the colony, which indirectly reflects example highlights that fitting a hive with with a simple sensor box that warned beekeepers the suitability of the external environment(1). digital monitoring equipment gives it a on their smartphone of any unexpected sensor Equipping a beehive with a bee counting system new ‘mission’ as an environmental sentinel. movements. Then other sets of sensors of weight, to track bee entries and exits provides reliable Many high-risk industrial sites have already been temperature, humidity or sounds inside the early warning of potential issues regarding equipped with connected hives to enhance their hive helped beekeepers monitor the situation the environment foraged by the 30,000 or so environmental monitoring and the capacity to in and around the hive, thereby reducing the bees, i.e. an increase in returns to the hive quantify malfunctions as early as possible. number of beekeeper movements and hive could indicate a depletion of resources, while Contacts Xavier Reboud (Agroécologie, INRAE, France), xavier.reboud@inrae.fr Didier Crauser (Abeilles & Environnement, INRAE, France), didier.crauser@inrae.fr For further information (1) Marchal P., Buatois A., Kraus S., Klein S., Gomez- Moracho T., Lihoreau M., 2020. Automated monitoring of bee behaviour using connected hives: towards a computational apidology. Apidologie, 51: 356-368. t A digitally connected beehive monitoring system providing information on the colony health and, more broadly, on the quality of the foraging environment. Bee counter device equipping a connected hive. The top left overlay shows 2D bee tags for individual tracking. Different sensors fitted to the hive make it possible to monitor some key elements of the health of the swarm. 143 © D. Crauser Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems List of acronyms & abbreviations ACP Agroecological crop protection AFD French Development Agency CA Conservation agriculture CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture CRP CGIAR Research Program DGD-RS Office of the Director General in charge of Research and Strategy, CIRAD EMBRAPA Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária ES Ecosystem service FAP Farming with alternative pollinators FAW Fall armyworm FMNR Farmer-managed natural regeneration GHG Greenhouse gas HLPE High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition ICT Information Communication Technology IPM Integrated pest management ISFM Integrated soil fertility management LCA Life cycle assessment LIA Internationally associated laboratory LMI International joint laboratory MENA Middle East and North Africa NARS National agricultural research systems NGO Non-governmental organization PGS Participatory guarantee system R&D Research and development SDG Sustainable development goal SRIV Service régional d'innovation et de valorisation, IRD UMI International joint unit UN United Nations 144 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems French research unit acronyms ABSYS Biodiversified Agrosystems ACT-ASTER AgroSystèmes - Territoires - Ressources AGAP Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants AGIR Agroecologies-Innovations-Ruralities AIDA Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification of Annual Crops ART-DEV Actors, Resources and Territories in Development ASTRE Animals health, Territories, Risks, Ecosystems BAGAP Biodiversity, Agroecology and Landscape Management CEFE Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology CIRED Center for International Research on Environment and Development DIADE Plant Diversity, Adaptation and Development DYNAFOR Dynamics and Ecology of Agroforestry Landscapes Eco&Sols Functional Ecology & Biochemistry of Soils & Agroecosystems EGCE Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour, Ecology ESPACE-DEV Spatial Dynamics of Socio-ecological Systems in Developing Countries F&S Forests and Societies FERLUS Fourrages, Ruminants et Environnement GABI Animal Genetics and Integrative Biology GDEC Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology of Cereals G-EAU Water Resource Management, Actors and Uses GECO Functional Ecology and Sustainable Management of Banana and Pineapple Agrosystems GET Environmental Geosciences, Toulouse GIMIC Genetic Improvement of Indian Cattle and Buffaloes HORTSYS Agroecology and Performance in Horticultural Systems IATE Agropolymer Engineering and Emerging Technologies iEES Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris IESOL Ecological Intensification of Cultivated Soils in West Africa IHAP Host-Pathogen Interactions Innovation Innovation and Development in Agriculture and Food Host-Vector-Parasite-Environment Interactions in Neglected Tropical Diseases caused by INTERTRYP Trypanosomatids ISEM Montpellier Institute of Evolutionary Sciences LAM Les Afriques dans le monde LAPSE Plant and associated microorganisms adaptation to environmental stresses LCM Common Microbiology Laboratory LEPSE Ecophysiology Laboratory of Plants under Environmental Stress LISIS Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Sciences Innovations Sociétés LISST Interdisciplinary Solidarity, Societies and Territories Laboratory LSTM Laboratory of Tropical and Mediterranean Symbioses MARBEC Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation MIAT Mathématiques et informatique appliquées de Toulouse MOISA Markets, Organisations, Institutions and Stakeholders Strategies PHIM Plant Health Institute Montpellier PSH Plant and Garden Cropping Systems PVBMT Plant Populations and Bioaggressors in Tropical Environments Qualisud Integrated Approach to Food Quality SAD-APT Science Action Développement - Activités Produits Territoires SAS Sol Agro et hydrosystème Spatialisation SELMET Mediterranean and Tropical Livestock Systems SENS Knowledge, Environment and Societies TETIS Territories, Environment, Remote Sensing and Spatial Data 145 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems French organizations, CGIAR Centers and Programs, and partners involved in this Dossier FRENCh RESEARCh AND hIGhER EDuCATION ORGANIzATIONS CGIAR CENTRES • AgroParisTech • AfricaRice • AgroSup Dijon • A lliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for • CIRAD, Agricultural Research Centre for International Development Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) • CNRS, French National Centre for Scientific Research • CIFOR, Center for International Forestry Research • ENVT, National Veterinary School of Toulouse • CIMMYT, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center • IFCE, Institut français du cheval et de l‘équitation • CIP, International Potato Center • I NRAE, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and • ICARDA, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Environment Areas • Institut Agro (including Agrocampus Ouest and Montpellier SupAgro) • ICRAF, World Agroforestry • IRBI, Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte • ICRISAT, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid • IRD, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development Tropics • UFR, University of Tours, François Rabelais • IFPRI, International Food Policy Research Institute • UM, University of Montpellier • IITA, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture • UT, University of Toulouse • ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute • UP Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay • IRRI, International Rice Research Institute • IWMI, International Water Management Institute • WorldFish CGIAR teams, French researchers and institutes are involved in the following CGIAR Research Programs (CRP): A4NH, Agriculture for Nutrition and Health; CCAFS, Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security; FISH; FTA, Forests, Trees and Agroforestry; GLDC, Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals; LIVESTOCK; MAIZE; PIM, Policies, Institutions, and Markets; RICE; RTB, Roots, Tubers and Bananas; WHEAT; WLE, Water, Land and Ecosystems. The research led by French and CGIAR teams involves and leverages many other partners (see box below). PARTNER INSTITuTIONS Research and higher education organizations EuROPE AND OCDE COuNTRIES • Mekelle University, Ethiopia • Aarhus University, Denmark • N ational Agricultural Research Organization, Uganda • Bangor University, UK • Plant Genetic Resource Center, Uganda • Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden • Oromia State University, Ethiopia • Deakin University, Australia • UCAD, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal • Institute of Life Sciences, Italy • Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar • Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium • University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin • Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Germany ASIA • Michigan State University, USA • Can Tho University, Vietnam • National Research Council Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Italy • CATAS, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences • Natural Resources Institute, UK • IIRR, Indian Institute of Rice Research • Oregon State University, USA • Indian Institute of Science • Scotland’s Rural College, UK • ITC, Institute of Technology of Cambodia • University of California Davis, USA • KKU, Khon Kaen University, Thailand • University of Greenwich, UK • KU, Kasetsart University, Thailand • University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria • N OMAFSI, The Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science • University of Parma, Italy Institute, Vietnam • University of Vermont, USA • Nong Lam University, Vietnam • Wageningen University of Research, The Netherlands • Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China • Washington State University, USA • Tien Giang University, Vietnam AFRICA • University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, India • CERD, Centre d’étude et de recherche de Djibouti • Vietnam National University of Agriculture • C READ, Center for Research in Applied Economics for Development, Algeria • Yunnan Agricultural University, China • Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute LATIN AmERICA AND CARIbbEAN • Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute • Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Brazil • FOFIFA, Centre National de Recherche appliquée au Développement Rural, • INIAP, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Ecuador Madagascar • I NIFAP, National Institute of Research for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock, • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Morocco Mexico • ICIPE, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya • Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Ecuador • INERA, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, Burkina Faso • Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico • Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée, Mali Other organizations • Agrisud International, Madagascar • FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations • ANR, French National Research Agency • F DGDON, Fédération Départementale des Groupements de Défense • A RMEFLHOR, Association réunionnaise pour la modernisation de l’économie contre les Organismes Nuisibles, France fruitière, légumière et horticole, Réunion, France • GSDM, Professionnels de l’agroécologie, Madagascar • Arvalis, France • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China • BAIF, India • Ministry of Agriculture Development, Nepal • Bioline Agrosciences, France • Tropenbos International, The Netherlands • Chambre d’agriculture de La Réunion, France • WRI, World Resources Institute • Ethiopian Economics Association 146 Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems This document is published with the contribution and support of the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Occitanie Region, the French Research Organizations (CIRAD, INRAE and IRD) and CGIAR. Participated in this issue: Adhikari K., Affholder F., Alaphilippe A., Alary V., Albrecht A., Amaral J., Ameur F., Amichi H., Ampadu-Boakye T., Andrieu N., Ankati S., Ann V. , Anne M., Antona M., Arango J., Asare R., Atieno M., Atta-Krah K., Aubertot J.-N., Aubin J., Audebert G., Avelino J., Bado V., Bahena F., Bai K., Baijukya F., Banda P., Barataud F., Barkaoui K., Barnaud A., Barnaud C., Barrière O., Bassi F., Bazile D., Beggi F., Bekunda M., Bélières J.-F., Bellon S., Belqadi L., Bergamini N., Bernard L., Bertrand B., Bessou C., Bidou J.E., Biénabe E.,Biradar C., Bishaw Z., Blanchard M., Blanchart E., Blanco J., Boichard M., Bordier M., Bouarfa S., Boulestreau Y., Bourion V., Brady M., Braga D., Brandão F., Brat P., Brau L., Brauman A., Bressac C., Bwembelo L., Calatayud P.A., Cardinael R., Cardinale E., Carsan S., Caruso D., Casagrande M., Casellas E., Castella J.-C., Catacutan D., Cederberg C., Cerdan C., Cerf M., Chapuis- Lardy L., Chargelegue F., Chernet M., Chevallier T., Chibeba A., Chikoye D., Chomba S., Choosai C., Chotte J.-L., Christmann S., Coe R., Colangelo P., Coquil X., Corbeels M., Coudel E., Cournac L., Coyne D., Crauser D., Crossland M., Cunha L., July 2010 October 2010 February 2012 Cuong O.Q., Damour G., Darias, M.J., Dawson I.K., De Santis P., De Vries H., Deconchat M., 68 pages (2nd ed., 2012) 84 pages 72 pages Dedieu B., Deffontaines S., DegefuAgazhi Z., Deguine J.-P., Delabouglise A., Deletre E., French & English French & English French, English, Dell’Acqua M., Dembele C., Demenois J., Derero A., Deshmukh S., Desquesnes, Devkota M., Spanish Dhyani S. K., Djama M., Do H., Dorel M., Dorin B., Drezen J.-M., Droy I., Ducrocq V., Ducrot C., Dufour B., Dumont B., Duponnois R., Dury S., Duval J., Edel I., Ekue M., Elias M., Esquerré D., Estrada Carmona N., Fadda C., Fantahun Lakew B., Fatondji D., Faye B., Feder F., Figuié M., Fleurance G., Flor R.J., Fonteyne S., Forey O., Fortuna T., Fouillet E., Foundjem D., Franco J., Frandon J., Freed S., Fremout T., Frija A., Gallagher E.J., Gardeazabal A., Gascuel C., Gauchan D., Gée C., Gervet C., Gitz V., Göldel B., Gopalakrishnan S., Goshu D., Gouriveau F., Goutard F., Govaerts B., Govoeyi B., Graindorge R., Graudal L., Grondin A., Gumbo D., Haddad M., Hadgu K.M., Hainzelin E., Hambloch C., Harrison R., Hassan S., Hauser M., Hauser S., Hellin J., Hénault C., Hendre P.S., Herrmann L., Hippolyte I., Homann-Kee Tui S., Hoopen G.M.T., Hostiou N., Hubert B., Huising J., Hunter D., Ickowitz A., Idoudi Z., Ihalainen M., Iskra-Caruana M.-L., Jaba J., Jacquiet P., Jagoret P., Jamnadass R., Jankowski F., Jarvis D.I., Jatin, Jeuffroy M.-H., Joly F., Jones S., Jouquet P., Kaiser L., Kamara A., Kameli Y., Karki Y., Kassahun Mengistu D., Kebede Y., Kemal S.A., Kidane, Y.G., Kikulwe E., Kindt R., Kintche K, Kiros A., Knudsen M.T., Krasova-Wade T., October 2012 February 2013 October 2013 Kreye C, Kukanur V., Kumar S., Kumar V., La N., Labeyrie V., Laplaze L., Le Bars M., Le Coq J.-F., 48 pages 48 pages 76 pages Le Du L., Le Gouis J., Le Page C., Le Quéré A., Leauthaud C., Leclerc C., Lefeuvre T., Lepage A., French & English French, English, French Lescourret F., Lescuyer G., Lesueur D., Likando Masheke Siamutondo A., Loconto A., Lohbeck M., Spanish Loire E., Loireau M., Londhe S., Louhaichi M., Louman B., Lourme-Ruiz A., Magaju C., Magda D., Makanwar P., Malézieux E., Malou O. P., Mambrini-Doudet M., Manners R., Manners R., Maron P.A., Marques H., Marquier M., Martin G., Martin P., Martin T., Martin-Prével Y., Masse D., Masso C, Mathe S., McCartney M., McKhann H., McMullin S., Mekonnen K., Mekuria W., Meldrum G., Menta C., Méral P., Metay A., Meybeck A., Meynard J.-M., Mia J., Miccolis A., Mishra S.P., Mockshell J.,Molia S., Mollee E., Monterroso I., Moombe K., Mortillaro J.M., Mougel F., Mougenot I., Mouléry M., Muchugi A., Mukuralinda A. Mulani A., Muller B., Mulumba J.W., Muthuri C., Mutuo P, Nabahungu L., Najjar D., Nangia V., Nankya R., Napoléone C., Naudin K., Navarrete M., Nelson K.M., Neyra M., Ngethe E., Nguyen H.T.T., Nguyen T.T., Nigir Hailemariam B., Nordey T., Novak S., Nurhsien J., Nziguheba G, Obonyo J., Ochoa J., Odjo S., Omondi A., Otieno G., Otieno M., Ouin A., Paez Valencia A.M., Paillat J.-M., Pailleux J.-Y., Pè M.E., Peng H., Penot E., Petit-Michaut S., Peyre M., Piraux M., Plassard C., Pratyusha S., Prin Y., Prudent M., Pypers P., Quintero M., Raharison T., Rakotoniamonjy T.H., Rakotovao N., Rala A., Ramarofidy M.A., Ramos H., Rana J., Paut R., December 2013 February 2014 February 2015 Rapidel B., Ratnadass A., Raynal H., Razafimbelo T., Rebaudo F., Reboud X., Rekik M., Remans R., 72 pages 64 pages 88 pages Resque G., Ribeyre F., Richard G., Rieux A., Risede J.M., Rizvi J., Robligio V., Rodenburg J., Roger F., French French, English, French & English Romero M., Ruiz L., Rusinamhodzi L., Sabatier R., Sabourin E., Saj S., Salgado P., Sanchez-Garcia M., Spanish Sander B.O., Sanjaya M., Sanz-Sanz E., Sarter S., Sawsan H., Schoneveld G., Scopel E., Seghieri J., Sekhar M., Shanker C., Sheeren D., Sib O., Silvie P., Simons A., Sinclair F., Sirami C., Snapp S., Solano P., Sourisseau J.-M., Sousa L., Srinivas V., Stadlmayr B., Staver C., Steel E.A., Stoian D., Strohmeier S., Suarez Capello C., Sudhanshu Singh S., Sultan B., Swaminathan M., Sylla A., Tabo R., Tamò M., Tardieu F., Taulya G., Tchamitchian M., Temani F., Teresa Borelli T., Termote C., Tesfahun Kassie G., Thanh Nghi N., Thein A., Thenail C., Thiam A., Thibord J.-B., Thomas E., Thomas M., Thoumazeau A., Thuita M., Tilahun Melaku M., Tiwari T.P., Toillier A., Traore S., Trap J., Trines E., Trouche G., Valdivia R., Vall E., Van der Werf H., Van Deynze A., Van Do H., Van Hieu N., Van Nguyen H., Van Nguyen T., Van Rooyen A., Vanhuffel L., Vanlauwe B., Verger E., Verhulst N., Vernoy R., Vialatte A., Viaud V., Vincent B., Vinceti B., Vom Brocke K., Wang Y., Wardell D. A., Waris Zaidi N., Wassenaar T., Wery J., Whitbread A., Winkel T., Winowiecki L.A., Wollenberg L., Yadav S., Yana-Shapiro H., Yila J.O., Yitayih M., Zhong S. November 2015 April 2016 June 2018 Special thanks to: Monika Kiczkajlo (CIFOR) and Yemeserach Megenasa (ICARDA) for their 76 pages 72 pages 80 pages support. French & English French French & English Illustrations: we thank all contributors to this Dossier as well as Veronique Gaston (IRD Multimédia). Director in Chief: Patrick Caron (President, Agropolis International) Communication and diffusion: Nathalie Villeméjeanne (Agropolis International) Translation and English editing: David Manley Layout and Computer Graphics: Frédéric Pruneau Printing: LPJ Hippocampe (Montpellier, France) Dossiers d’Agropolis International The Dossiers d’Agropolis International collection is a flagship vehicle for presenting and promoting the expertise of Agropolis International members on major scientific issues. Each Dossier is devoted to a specific theme. The research units and training courses concerned are showcased, alongside February 2019 July 2019 the research and associated results. Contributions of civil society, the economic sphere and local 52 pages 132 pages authorities in the target areas are also highlighted. French & English French & English Each Dossier is available in hardcopy and digital format, generally in two languages (English and French) Dossier issues can be downloaded at: 147 www.agropolis.org/publications/thematic-files-agropolis.php Also available in French. The information presented in this Dossier is valid as of 31/08/2021. Agroecological transformation for sustainble food systems Expertise of the scientific community Special Partnership Issue Scientific Coordination Kwesi Atta-Krah (IITA), Jean-Luc Chotte (IRD), Chantal Gascuel (INRAE), Agroecological transformation Vincent Gitz (CIFOR), Étienne Hainzelin (CIRAD), Bernard Hubert (INRAE, Agropolis International), Marcela Quintero (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT), for sustainable food systems Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF) 1000 avenue Agropolis Editorial Coordination and Writing F-34394 Montpellier CEDEX 5 Isabelle Amsallem (Agropolis International) France Insight on France-CGIAR research and Bernard Hubert (INRAE, Agropolis International) Tel.: +33 (0)4 67 04 75 75 Fax: +33 (0)4 67 04 75 99 ISSN: 1628-4259 • DOI: 10.23708/fdi:010082500 • Copyright registration: September 2021 agropolis@agropolis.fr www.agropolis.fr Number 26 September 2021