Agroecology

Inspiring quotation

— Source

Agroecology is a scientific and social movement that interrogates how ecology can inform our agriculture. Agroecology is based on a strong relationship between the land and its human inhabitants, and the land-steward with the scientist (even better if the steward and the scientist are the same).

The unique ecology of a given location is centred. This includes the selection of species, how these species fit together, how the soil and water are managed, when/if to use burning, flooding, or grazing, and countless other things. The land is cultivated with the ecology and its history as a guide, seeking to boost biodiversity for the purposes of resilience and efficiency.

It’s not back-to-the-land, embrace-tradition stuff, nor is it a call to redesign ecosystems into what we narrow-mindedly consider “good” (i.e., “greening the desert”). Traditional and indigenous knowledge can be paired well with experimentation and invention, so long as the focus on a specific ecological context is kept in mind. These practices are predicated on a deep, intimate connection with, and constant study of, the dynamic and specific character of the land.

Modern agroecology is championed by La Via Campesina, a grassroots peasants’ organisation who see it as empowering to downtrodden communities, healing cultures and the rifts between humans and nature, and as a route towards food sovereignty.

We encourage all readers to use the forum, where you can give your opinion, ask questions or give responses on the corresponding Forum sections: Bushcraft & nature and Gardening, smallholding & farming.

We particularly welcome readers to share their experiences around agroecology.

• Otto Hague

(Please sign all comments, so that everyone knows whose comment it is.)

(as collectively agreed by curators)