Challenges and Action Points to Amplify Agroecology in Europe

12 Pages·2017·0.38 MB·English

sustainability
Article
Challenges and Action Points to Amplify
Agroecology in Europe
AlexanderWezel1,* ID,MargrietGoris2,JannekeBruil2,GeorgesF.Félix2 ID,AlainPeeters3,
PaoloBàrberi4 ID,StéphaneBellon5andPaolaMigliorini6 ID
1 DepartmentofAgroecologyandEnvironment,ISARA,23rueJeanBaldassini,69364Lyon,France
2 Cultivate!,Schuurhoven29,6721SMBennekom,TheNetherlands;[email protected](M.G.);
[email protected](J.B.);[email protected](G.F.F.)
3 RHEAResearchCentre,RueWarichet4Box202,1435Corbais,Belgium;[email protected]
4 InstituteofLifeSciences,ScuolaSuperioreSant’Anna,PiazzaMartiridellaLiberta33,56127PisaPI,Italy;
[email protected]
5 Ecodéveloppement,INRA,84914Avignon,France;[email protected]
6 UniversityofGastronomicSciences,PiazzaVittorioEmanuele,9,12060Pollenzo,BraCN,Italy;
[email protected]
* Correspondence:[email protected]
(cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:1)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:1)
(cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)
Received:14April2018;Accepted:10May2018;Published:16May2018
Abstract: AgricultureinEuroperesultsintheproductionoffoodforboththeEuropeanpopulation
and for the export sector. Significant environmental and social problems have emerged with the
intensificationofEuropeanagriculture. Theseincludethelossofbiodiversity, thecontamination
of soils, water, and food with pesticides, and the eutrophication of water bodies. Industrialized
agriculturalandfoodsystemsarealsoamajorcontributingfactorinthedeclineoffarmnumbers,and
thehighuseofantibioticshasledtoserioushumanhealthproblems. Inthisrespect,agroecologycan
provideinsightsintoimportantpathwaysandguidethedesign,development,andpromotionofthe
transitiontowardssustainablefarmingandfoodsystems. Ananalysisofthemajorchallengesforthe
amplificationofagroecologyinEuropewascarriedoutby310stakeholdersinaWorldCaféexercise
and23sessionsandworkshopsduringtheAgroecologyEuropeForum2017. Thedifferentchallenges
thatwereidentifiedcanbegroupedintosevencategories: (1)definitionandconcepts;(2)education,
training,andknowledgesharing;(3)researchapproachandfunding;(4)policies;(5)productivity
and practices; (5) food systems and consumer awareness; and (6) co-optation. To address these
challenges,thefollowingkeyactionsarerecommended: (1)todevelopacommonunderstanding
of agroecology; (2) to enhance education in agroecology and knowledge exchange; (3) to invest
inagroecologicalresearch;(4)todeveloppoliciesenhancingagroecology;(5)tosupportnewand
existingagroecologicalpractices;(6)totransformfoodsystems;and(7)tostrengthencommunication
andalliances. Inthispaperwepresentanddiscusstheserecommendationsforpathwaysandactions
todevelopsustainableagro-foodsystemsinEuropethroughagroecology.
Keywords: actor networks; biodiversity-based farming; EU agricultural policy; food systems;
participatoryresearch;socialmovements;sustainableagriculture
1. Introduction
WhileEuropeproducespartofthefoodforitspopulation,ithasalsobecomeamajorimporterof
soybean,vegetablesandfruits,usinglargeareasofagriculturallandoutsidethecontinent. Europealso
exportsdifferentfoodcommoditiessuchasmilkandpowdermilk,poultry,pork,cereals,andhigh
added-valuefoodsandbeverages[1]. Thisexport(andEuropeanconsumption)ofmilk,poultry,and
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porkdependsontheimportofsoybeanforprotein-richlivestockfeed[2]. Withtheintensificationof
agricultureinthepastfivedecades,yieldshavesignificantlyincreased. Meanwhile,environmental
problemshaveemerged,suchasthelossofbiodiversityandnaturalhabitats,pesticidecontaminationof
soils,water,andfood,andeutrophicationofwaterbodies.Ongoingbiodiversitylossinmanycountries
inEurope,whichtoalargedegreecanberelatedtoagriculture,includeshabitat,pollinator,insect,
andbirdpopulationloss[3–7]. AcrosstheEuropeanUnion(EU),morethanthree-quartersofwildlife
habitatassessmentsindicateanunfavourableconservationstatusasasignificantproportionofwildlife
habitatcontinuestodeteriorate[3]. Thisincludesalsohabitatsinagriculturallandscapes. Forspecies
assessments,60%ofEU-levelassessmentsindicateanunfavourablestatusfornon-birdspecies[3].
More specifically for birds, the status of 15% of wild bird species is near-threatened, declining,
ordepleted,andanother17%arethreatened[3]. Rarebirdsarenottheonlyonesdecreasing,asthe
declineincommonandwidespreadspeciesisalsodramatic[8],andadownwardtrendforfarmland
birds is also shown [4]. Considering that two-thirds of European endangered or vulnerable bird
speciesliveexclusivelyinagroecosystems[9],sustainableagriculturalmanagementisofparamount
importance to prevent their complete extinction [3,4]. The same challenges apply for pollinators.
DePalmaandcolleagues[6]showedthathalfofallEU27countrieshadlostover10%oftheiraverage
localbeespeciesdiversityandtwo-thirdsofcountrieshadlostover5%oftheiraveragelocalfunctional
andphylogeneticbeediversity. Inpastureandhigher-intensitycropland,diversitymeasureswere
generally lower than in semi-natural/natural vegetation. Agricultural practices, e.g., exposure to
neonicotinoids,areassociatedwithhigherratesofbeepopulationextinction[10].
Since the 1970s, a major issue has been the increasing degradation of water quality due to
increasingnitrateandpesticideconcentrations[11,12]. Inparticular,highnitratecontaminationof
groundwaterresourceswasascertained[13]. InmanyregionsofEuropeandinnearlyallmember
states,nitrateconcentrationsofsurfaceandundergroundwaterarestillveryhigh[2,14]eventhough
the implementation of the Nitrates Directive (adopted in 1991) has led to some improvements.
Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, mainly due to intensive agriculture practices, is particularly
problematic. The ecological status of water bodies is reported as critical [2]. In only one-third of
all member states can over 50% of all natural surface water bodies be considered of good or high
ecologicalquality.
Misuse of antibiotics in the animal husbandry sector is a serious issue in Europe, leading to
thespreadofantimicrobialresistance,withdangerousside-effectsforhumanhealth[15]. Already
morethanadecadeagoRoepandothers[16]pointedouttheriskofdisconnectingagriculturefrom
itsecologicalenvironment,ofwhichtheimpacttodayisparticularlyevidentinvegetableandfruit
productionandthepigandpoultrysectors. Moreover,despitetargetedpolicies,fertilizerandpesticide
usehasnotdeclinedinthelatest10years,remainingstableorevenincreasinginsomeEUmember
countries[17–20].
In terms of socio-economic impacts, Oostindie et al. [21] and Van der Ploeg [22] question the
economicsustainabilityoflarge-scalefarms.Duetohighlevelsofindebtednessofspecialized,intensive
andlargefarms,thebuffercapacityofthesefarmsislowandfarmsexperiencedifficultiesduringhigh
pricefluctuations. Roepetal.[16]statethathigh-techandcapitalintensiveroutesoftransformation,
aimingforhigh-outputefficienciesinhigh-techcontrolledproductionenvironments,implynotonly
high private but also high public costs and therefore a considerable risk of massive capital loss,
withsocialcapitalincluded. Togetherwiththeagingoffarmers,industrializedagriculturalandfood
systemsareamajordriveroftheongoingfastdeclineoffarmersandfarmnumbersinEurope[23].
The current situation clearly indicates that major changes are needed to develop sustainable
agriculturalandfoodsystemsinEurope. Agroecologycouldbeanimportantapproachtomeetthis
goal, as it designs, develops, and promotes the transition towards biodiversity and low external
input-based,sociallysoundfarmingandfoodsystems. Currently,agroecologycanbeinterpretedasa
movement,asascientificdiscipline,andalsoasasetofpractices[24]. Variousmultilateralinstitutions
andindividualgovernmentsnowusetheirowndefinitionsofagroecology[25].Asascience,commonly
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useddefinitionsare: (1)theintegrativestudyoftheecologyoftheentirefoodsystems,encompassingecological,
economicandsocialdimensions[26];(2)theapplicationofecologicalconceptsandprinciplestothedesignand
managementofsustainablefoodsystems[27];andmorerecently(3)theintegrationofresearch,education,
actionandchangethatbringssustainabilitytoallpartsofthefoodsystem: ecological,economic,andsocial[28].
Asasetofagriculturalpractices,agroecologyseekswaystoimproveagriculturalsystemsbyimitating
naturalprocesses, creatingbeneficialbiologicalinteractionsandsynergiesamongthecomponents
of the agroecosystems [29], and use in the best way ecological processes and ecosystem services
forthedevelopmentandimplementationofagroecologicalpractices[30]. Moreover,agroecologyis
alsoseenasatransdisciplinary,participatory,andaction-orientedapproach[28,31]. Asamovement,
agroecologyisseenastheanswertohowtotransformandrepairthematerialrealityinafoodsystem
andruralworldthathasbeendevastatedbyindustrialfoodproductionanditsso-calledGreenand
BlueRevolutions. Thediverseformsofsmallholderfoodproductionbasedonagroecologygenerate
localknowledge,promotesocialjustice,nurtureidentityandculture,andstrengthentheeconomic
viabilityofruralareas. Agroecologyisseenasasolutiontomoderncrises(climate,malnutrition,etc.),
notconformingtotheindustrialmodelbuttransformingittobuildlocalfoodsystemsthatcreatenew
rural–urbanlinksbasedonfairandsafefoodproduction[32].
WeuseherethedefinitionoftheAssociationofAgroecologyEuropewhichoutlinesagroecology
asfollows(www.agroecology-europe.org): “Agroecologyisconsideredjointlyasascience,apracticeand
asocialmovement. Itencompassesthewholefoodsystemfromthesoiltotheorganizationofhumansocieties.
Itisvalue-ladenandbasedoncoreprinciples. Asascience, itgivesprioritytoactionresearch, holisticand
participatoryapproaches,andtransdisciplinarityincludingdifferentknowledgesystems. Asapractice,itisbased
onsustainableuseoflocalrenewableresources,localfarmers’knowledgeandpriorities,wiseuseofbiodiversityto
provideecosystemservicesandresilience,andsolutionsthatprovidemultiplebenefits(environmental,economic,
social) from local to global. As a movement, it defends smallholders and family farming, farmers and rural
communities, food sovereignty, local and short marketing chains, diversity of indigenous seeds and breeds,
healthyandqualityfood.”
This paper reviews and summarises major challenges and proposals for agroecology to best
contribute to the transition towards sustainable agricultural and food systems in Europe as they
emergedattheAgroecologyEuropeForum2017. Itpresentsvariousactionstoamplifyagroecology
inEurope.
2. DefiningandDeterminingMajorChallengesandKeyActions
Majorchallengesforthedevelopmentofsustainableagricultureandfoodsystems, andmore
specifically the amplification of agroecology, as well as the actions needed to promote it, were
highlighted by 310 stakeholders (mainly researchers and students, but also farmers, technicians,
politicaldecision-makers,representativesofnationalandEuropeaninstitutions,non-governmental
organizationsandsocialmovementsorganisations)inaplenary‘WorldCafé’exercise,aswellas23
othersessionsandworkshopsduringthefirstAgroecologyEuropeForum,organisedinLyon,France,
inOctober2017. TheWorldCaféisaparticipatorymethodthatattemptstoachievecollectivechange
bybringingalargenumberofstakeholderstogetherinoneplace,usingahighlystructuredprocess
tocreateflexibleandco-evolvingnetworksofconversationsanddiscussions[33]. DuringtheWorld
CaféinLyon,participantsweredividedintotwolargegroupsofaround150peopleeach,consisting
of‘tablegroups’withfivepersons,withachangeincompositionaftereachquestion. Ineachofthe
around60tables,perspectivesandproposalsweresharedandnotesweretaken.
At each question and round each participant presented herself/himself followed by a short
individualreflectiononthequestion. Then,adiscussionwithinthegrouptookplace,followedbya
synthesisagreedonbythegroup. Forthis,the‘host’ofthetable(determinedbytheparticipantsatthe
beginningofallrounds)wrotedownthekeypointsandideasthatemerged,whichthegroupagreed
ontoshareatthefinalplenaryroundtable. Thesewrittensummariesweregiventotheorganisersof
theWorldCaféandusedasdataforthepresentpaper. Afterthethreeroundsofquestions,afinal
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plenaryroundofpresentationswithallparticipantsinthetwolargergroupsinformedtherespective
Sustainability 2018, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 12
audiencesaboutthemainoutcomesofthetablegroups. Thisinformationwasgivenbythehostsofthe
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1. Definition and
concepts
2. Education and
7. Co-optation training, knowledge
sharing
Challenges
6. Food systems
3. Research approach
and consumers
and funding
awareness
5. Productivity and
4. Policies
practices

Figure 1. Major challenges to agroecology in Europe.
Figure1.MajorchallengestoagroecologyinEurope.
The first challenge identified by participants is the lack of a common, broadly accepted definition
Thefirstchallengeidentifiedbyparticipantsisthelackofacommon,broadlyaccepteddefinition
of agroecology. Although various definitions exist, and some of them are regularly used and cited
ofagroecology. Althoughvariousdefinitionsexist,andsomeofthemareregularlyusedandcited
(e.g., [24,26,27,34]), the interpretations and understanding of the concepts behind them can be
(e.g.,[24,26,27,34]),theinterpretationsandunderstandingoftheconceptsbehindthemcanbeperceived
perceived quite differently by different actors, also because they are involved in different
‘agroecologies’ which reflect the diversity of contexts in Europe and in fact, the world. Thus, a major
challenge is to establish a common understanding of what agroecology is and what it implies as a
practice, a science, and a socio-political movement. This also includes making clearer what the
Sustainability2018,10,1598 5of12
quitedifferentlybydifferentactors,alsobecausetheyareinvolvedindifferent‘agroecologies’which
reflectthediversityofcontextsinEuropeandinfact,theworld. Thus,amajorchallengeistoestablish
acommonunderstandingofwhatagroecologyisandwhatitimpliesasapractice,ascience,anda
socio-politicalmovement. Thisalsoincludesmakingclearerwhatthecommonalitiesanddifferences
arebetweenagroecologyandorganicagriculture,oneoftheproductionmethodsthatisoftenassociated
withagroecology[35].
Asecondchallengewasidentifiedaseducationandtraininginagroecology. Althoughthereis
anincreasingnumberofstudyandtrainingprogrammesinagroecology[36], abigchallengeisto
integratethisintomoreclassical,mainstreamagronomyandruraldevelopmentstudies,andoverall
interdisciplinaryagricultureandfoodscienceprogrammesatalllevels,toeducatefutureactorsin
sustainableagricultureandfoodsystems. Agroecologytrainingprogrammesfor,by,andwithfarmers
arestilljudgedtobeunderdevelopedinnumberandsize.Anotherimportantchallengeishowtobetter
fosterknowledgesharingamongstfarmers,researchers,andeducatorsaswellasknowledgecreation
byfarmersanditssubsequentdocumentationandintegrationintotrainingoreducationprogrammes.
The third category of challenges concerns research. There is a clear lack of widespread,
interdisciplinary agroecology research. Although growing, funding is still limited at the EU level
andisnearlyabsentinsomecountries. Onlyveryrecentlyhavesomefundingprogrammesincluded
elementsforagroecologicalresearch.Abigdifficultyisthatagroecologyresearchdealswithcomplexity
and diversity, and requires systems, holistic, and participatory approaches. Thus, a variety of
factors need to be taken into account, such as integrating natural and social science approaches,
analyses,andevaluations,andovercomingresearchers’reluctanceingettingengagedinlong-term,
multidisciplinaryresearchprogrammes. Anotherrelatedchallengeishowtoengagemorefarmers
withresearchinameaningfulway[37].
There is still a widespread belief that agroecology means less productivity, lower yields, and
morelabour, orthatitrepresentsanon-viablealternativetocurrentwaysoffoodproduction[38].
Overcoming this notion, by improved communication and through bringing on board new allies,
isanotherkeychallenge. Participantsstatedthatitisimportanttocreateawarenessthatabalance
between economic value andstability ofproduction canbe achievedwith agroecological farming.
Thisimpliesbroadeningsupportforandinterestinagroecologyanditspotentialbyconventional
farmersandscience,aswellasthepromotionofasupportivediscourseonagroecologythroughgiving
visibilitytothecontributionsofexistingsuccessfulpracticesandfarms,andidentificationofpromising
agroecologicalsocio-technicalinnovations. Asanoverarchinggoal,participantscalledforagroecology
tobecomethemaininnovationparadigminagriculture.
Anothercategoryofchallengesconcernspolicies. TheparticipantsattheLyonForumarguedthat
thereisanurgentneedtoputagroecologyonthepoliticalagendaoftheEU,andmorespecificallyto
integrateagroecologyfirmlyinthenewCommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP)after2020. Animportant
challengeisthatpoliciesattheEUlevel,andalsoatnationallevels,havesofarmainlysupportedan
economicsystemthatismorefavourabletolarge-scale,high-input,andcapital-intensiveagriculture,
thusimpedingornotfacilitatingthetransitiontoagroecologicalfarmingsystems,therebythreatening
inparticularthefutureoffamilyfarming,whichisseenbymoststakeholdersasthetargetgroupfor
agroecologicalfarming. Moreover,theconnectionsbetweenfarmers,science,andpolicymakersare
tooweaktoprovideeffectivelocalsolutions,orlocaladaptationsofnationalandEuropeanpolicies.
Asixthdomainofchallengeswasidentifiedaroundfoodsystems. Agroecologyispartofwhole
foodsystemsthatgobeyondproduction,andthustheamplificationofagroecologyrequiresmore
developmentofconceptsandactionsatthefoodsystemslevel[23]. Onechallengeisto(re)connect
farmers with urban dwellers, increasing awareness of consumers about the impact of their eating
andbuyinghabits,the(nutritional)qualityoftheirfoodandthewayitisproduced,andpromoting
regionally-orientedfoodsystems.
Onelasttypeofchallengeisthepossibleco-optationandmisuseoftheterm‘agroecology’bythe
agricultureandfoodindustry,conservativefarmerassociationsorcooperatives,andgovernments,
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riskingawateringdownoftheessenceofagroecologyasascience,movement,andpractice. Arelated
challengeistheintensivelobbyoflargecorporationsforafavourablelegalandeconomicframework
forindustrialized,large-scale,standardized,andspecializedagriculturalandfoodsystems,which
workinoppositiontothediversificationinherentinagroecology[39].
4. KeyActionsNeededinEuropetoAmplifyAgroecology
Inordertodevelopsustainableagricultureandfoodsystemssubstantialchangesareneeded,for
whichagroecologycanoffermanifoldcontributionsprovideditisscaledup,oramplified. TheTable
belowshowsseveralkeyactions,definedbyalargegroupofstakeholders,toamplifyagroecologyin
Europeandtocontributetothetransitiontomoresustainableagro-foodsystems(Table1).
ThefirstcategoryofactionsneededtoamplifyagroecologyinEuropeistodevelopacommon
understandingofagroecologyandtobuildastrongnarrativetobettershowcasethecontributionsof
inagroecologyinthecurrentcontextofmultifacetedcrises.
Second, education in agroecology and knowledge exchange must be enhanced, experiential
and on-farm learning stimulated, and improved methods for co-creation and exchange of
knowledgedeveloped.
Third, increased investment in agroecological research is needed. The different actions to be
developedincludesupportingmoreacademicsworkingforandwithfarmers,involvingtheminthe
formulationofresearchquestionsandprojects, conductingmoretransdisciplinaryaction-research
andcreatingparticipatoryplatforms,enlarginglong-termfieldexperiments,andchangingevaluation
criteriaandfundingofresearchprojectsandresearchers.
Thefourthcategoryofactionsrelatestopolicydevelopmentwhichenhancesagroecology. For
this,theCommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP)needstobere-designed,andotherpoliciesimplemented,
includingpaymentschemesforfarmerswhichprovideecosystemservices,fairpricespaidtofarmers
fortheirproducts,andsupportforfarmers’organisationsworkingwithanagroecologicalperspective.
The fifth category of actions that were identified emphasises support for new and existing
agroecological practices and farms. Alternatives to herbicides and pesticides must be developed.
Moreover,pioneerfarmersshouldbeidentifiedthatcanshowcasetheirworktootherfarmers,while
youngfarmersandsmall-scaleentrepreneurshipmustbesupported.
Thesixthcategoryofactionsaimstotransformthefoodsystems. Acriticalmassofconsumers
hastobebuilttoinfluencepoliciesandmarketsforagroecologicalproduce. Thepublicsectorcantake
importantstepstopurchaselocalagroecologicallyproducedfood.Further,taxationfornon-sustainable
foodandanorientationofCAPsubsidiestowardsqualityfoodareothermentionedactions,aswellas
strengtheningrelationsbetweenurbancitizenandfarmers.
Thelastcategoryreferstothestrengtheningofcommunicationandalliances. Agroecological
practicesandtheirmultidimensionalcontributionsneedtobepromoted,quantified,anddisseminated
muchmore. Tothatend,communicationeffortsshouldinformpeopleabouttechniques,practices,
positiveimpacts,obstaclesandopportunities,andemblematiccases. Further,participantsstateditis
ofgreatimportancetobringtogetherdifferentrepresentativesoffarmersandotherstakeholdergroups
andbuildalliancesandnetworks.
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Table1.KeyactionsneededinEuropetoamplifyagroecology.
CategoryofAction ActionsDefinedbyWorldCaféParticipants
1.Developcommon • Developaclearerdefinitionandcommonunderstandingofagroecologyatlocal,national,and
understandingof Europeanlevels.
agroecology • Buildastrongnarrativearoundthemultidimensionalcharacterandcontributionsofagroecology.
• Enhanceeducationonagroecologyatvocationalschoolsanduniversities.
2.Enhanceeducationin • Stimulateexperientialandon-farmlearning.
agroecologyand • Developandimprovemethodsforco-creationandexchangeofknowledge,e.g.,co-designknowledge
knowledgeexchange
exchangemethodswithfarmersandbetweenfarmers,students,researchers,andotheractors.
• Identifyandsupportmoreacademicsworkingforandwithfarmers.
• Farmersshouldformulatewhatareforthemthemostrelevantresearchquestionsandbeinvolvedin
researchprogrammesandprojectsfromthestart.
• Carryoutmoretransdisciplinaryactionresearch.
3.Investinagroecological • Createparticipatoryplatformswherefarmers,researchers,andotheractorsworktogether.
research • Extendlong-termfieldexperimentswithagroecologicalsystemsandestablishnetworks.
• Changeevaluationcriteriaandfundingofresearchprojectsandresearchersbytakingintoaccountto
whatextentfarmersareengagedintheproductionoftools,towhatextenttheyincludeparticipatory
actionresearchandsharingofknowledge,andhowtheyrespondtoresearchquestionsoffarmersand
otheractorsinterritories.
• Transformandre-designtheCommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP)inordertoincludesupportfor
agroecologicalapproaches.
• Developdiversepoliciessuitedforsupportofagroecologyatlocal,regional,andnationallevels,
includingfairpricesforfarmers.
• Developnewsystemsfortheecological,economic,social,andtechnicalimpactassessment
4.Developpolicieswhich ofagroecology.
enhanceagroecology • Establishpaymentschemesforfarmersformanagingandconservingbiologicalandculturaldiversity,
astheyperformecosystemservicesforsociety.
• Supportfarmers’organisationsworkinginagroecology.
• Developgovernancemechanismsthatcanarticulateagricultural,food,health,social,and
environmentalpolicies(examplesofBrazilandLyon’sfoodcouncil).
• Supportasystemsre-designapproachandgoodagroecologicalpractices.
• Demonstrateagroecologicalalternativesforglyphosateandotherherbicidesandpesticides.
5.Supportnewand • Identifypioneerfarmersthatareinterestedinshowingotherfarmershowagroecologicalfarmingcanbe
existingagroecological donewhileensuringprofitabilityandagoodlivelihood.
practicesandfarms • Developandsupportsmall-scaleagroecologicalfarmsandentrepreneurshipandlocalprocessingof
foodandrawmaterials.
• Supportyoungpeopleandentrepreneursbothinfarmingandprocessingandcommercialisation.
• Buildacriticalmassofconsumerstoinfluencepoliciesandmarketsforagroecologicalproduce.
• Strengthentheroleofagroecologyinthefoodchain—enableconsumerstorecogniseandvaluefood
thatcomesfromagroecologicalproduction.
• Involvethepublicsectorinpurchasingagroecologicalproduceandproducts(e.g.,viapublic
6.Transformfood procurement).
systems • Developtaxationfornon-sustainablyproducedfood.ConcentrateCAPsubsidiesforqualityfoodand
otherecosystemservices.
• Closethegapbetweenurbancitizensandfarmers,e.g.,throughsupportinnovativeregionalmarket
arrangements,opendaysatfarms,andvariousformsofcommunity-supportedagriculture.
• Quantifyanddisseminateresultsofagroecologicalpractices.
• Promoteagroecologicalpracticethroughfarmingstylesthatcurrentlyexist(butmaybenamed
differently).
• Enhancecommunicationonagroecologyatdifferentlevelsandamongstdifferentactors.
7.Reinforce • Disseminateinformationaboutagroecologicalinitiatives,techniques,andpracticesamong
communicationand interestedactors.
alliances • InformpeopleinEuropeaboutthepositiveimpactsofagroecologybyusingemblematiccasesand
gettingstoriesinthemedia.
• Strengthenalliancesamongdifferentactorsandactornetworksinagroecology.
• Bringrepresentativesoffarmers,otherfoodproducers,smallscaleprocessers,researchers,and
concernedcitizenstogethertoenhancethesocialmovementforasustainablefoodsysteminEurope.
5. Discussion
The challenges for agroecology in Europe and the key actions needed to overcome them in
ordertoamplifyagroecologyaremanifold,accordingtotheinsightsgeneratedattheAgroecology
Sustainability2018,10,1598 8of12
Forum. Thechallengesconcerndifferentscales,fromlocaltoEuropean,anddifferentlevels,from
theproductiontechniquestotheorganisationoffoodsystems. Therefore,thereisastrongneedfor
anagroecologicalmovementwhichengagesmanyanddiverseactors[22,40]. Thecentralactorsin
thismovementarefarmersandotherfoodproducers,(urban)consumers,socialmovements,NGOs,
researchersandsupportivepolicymakers. Farmersandotherfoodproducersarekeybecausethey
are the most affected by Europe’s current food and farming system, and can practice agroecology.
Theyalsohaveawealthofassociatedknowledgetoshareamongthemandwithothers,andcontribute
tocrucialembeddedlearninganddisseminationprocesses. Consumersaresignificantbecausethey
areapotentialforceforchangethroughchoosingthefoodtheywanttoeat,engaginginsupportive
institutional market arrangements, and impacting policy decisions. Social movements are crucial
forbuildingalliancesdevelopingpoliticalpositionsandcreatingpowertomobiliselargegroupsof
concernedandorganisedpeople. Researcherscandocumentandanalysethesocialandecological
processes inherent in agroecology and play a role in the co-creation of new knowledge. Finally,
connectionswithpolicymakersareimperativeastheyarecrucialfortheintegrationofandinstitutional
supportforagroecologyindifferentsocio-economicsectors.
Overall,participantsintheFirstAgroecologyEuropeForumclearlycalledforbetterknowledge
exchangeamongstthediverseactors. Theyaimatreachingnotonlyenvironmentalsustainabilityand
socialjusticebutalsocognitivejustice. Cognitivejusticeencompassesnotonlytherightofdifferent
practicestoco-existbutentailsanactiveengagementacrosstheirknowledgesystems[41]. Thismeans
for instance the recovery and co-production of contextualised, environment-specific knowledge,
supported by co-learning between farmers, students and researchers—essential for the spread of
agroecology. Educationalreform,expansionofeducationtoagroecology,andthefosteringofnew
waysoflearning(suchason-farmeducation),canandshouldbeco-developedwithfarmersontopics
suchasfunctionalbiodiversity,localbreedsandseedsandagroforestry,amongstotherthings.
Withregardtothedevelopmentofpoliciesinfavourofagroecology,thereareongoingdebates
relatedtothefutureofagricultureinEurope.OneisthelargedebateonthebanofglyphosateinEurope.
AlthoughtheEUcommissiondecided,withasmallmajorityofmembercountryvotes,topostpone
apossiblebanoffiveyears, somemembercountriessuchasFranceandItalystatedthattheystill
wanttocontinuetoimplementit[42]. Thisisacrucialissueforfarmersasmanyoftheirsystemsrely
onusingherbicides, andinparticularonglyphosate. Farmershavetheoptiontoeithersubstitute
glyphosatewithotherherbicides,ortochangetoweedcontrolpracticeswithoutherbicideuse. Forthe
latteroption,theagroecologicalapproachcanprovidesuitableandeffectivealternatives. Participants
did not formulate specific types of policies in favour of agroecology but the comments in general
andtheliteraturereviewindicatetheneedforpoliciestosupportthetransitiontowardsagriculture
that is non-reliant on the use of glyphosate, and other herbicides therefore need to be developed,
aswellasapolicyonagriculturalextensionwhichsupportsknowledgeexchangeamongstfarmers
(includingonalternativestoherbicidesandpesticides). European, national, andregionalfunding
shouldbemadeavailabletofinanceuniversities,farmerorganizations,andNGOswhoorganiseand
systematiseknowledgeexchangesamongstfarmersandwithresearchers.Thisisonepossiblepathway
ofsupportingthistransition. Othertypesofpolicies,notablythosethatarecross-sectoralandintegrate
health,nutrition,education,urbanplanning,landgovernanceandotherissues,shouldbeexplored
withfarmers,researchers,socialmovementorganizations,andotheractorstoverifyneeds,potential
support,andwaysofimplementation.
Agroecological farming is not merely about environmental sustainability but encompasses a
holistic view of farming, connecting production with biological and cultural diversity as well as
enhancinglocalsocialandeconomicrelations. ThishasbeenclearlyshownbyfarmersintheGlobal
South [43,44] where agroecology is often more developed, but is also true for Europe. This point
hasalsobeenillustratedbyDeSchutter[45]andVanderPloeg[22],arguingthattheagroecological,
peasantmodeoffarmingisabletooffermorepeopleabetterlivinginruralareasthan‘industrialized’,
Sustainability2018,10,1598 9of12
‘conventional’or‘capitalist’farming,whilealsocreatingnewtieswithandhealthyfoodoptionsfor
urbancitizens.
Anotherimportantdebateistakingplacearoundthedigitalrevolution,bigdataandtechnology
inagriculture. Howwillthischangeagriculturalproduction,theprofessionandworkoffarmers,and
economicandtechnologicalinvestmentsoffamilyfarmsorfarmenterprises? Cantheuseofbigdata
andtechnologybeinagreementwithandsupportiveofagroecologicalprinciplesandapproaches?
Discussionssofarshowthatthereareverycontrastingpositionsonthisissue.
Finally,wecometoacriticalreflectionaboutrepresentativenessofdefinedchallengesandactions.
TheprocedureoftheWorldCafégaveavoicetoeveryparticipanttoprovideher/hisopiniononthree
centralquestionsaroundtheamplificationofagroecology.Thesynthesismadeattheendofeachround
wasbasedonacommonagreementofparticipantsonkeyideasemergingfromthegroup. Although
thenote-takersmighthavegivenmoreprioritytocertainresults,eachparticipanthadsomepossibility
duringtheplenarydiscussionattheendoftheWorldCafétoindicateanypointtheyfelttohavebeen
overlookedinthesynthesis. However,theprocessdidnotallowforthedevelopmentofagreement
onallpointsoraprioritylistofactionsneededasdatacollectionwasqualitative. Nocountingofthe
mentioningofcertainactionswasincludedintheprocedureoftheWorldCafé. Thatsaid,theprocess
didgenerateanoverviewofthediversityofperceivedchallengesandactionsneeded.
DuringtheWorldCafétherewerealsostatementsofparticipantswhichclearlyshowedtheir
differentexpectations,demands,levelsofknowledge,andprioritiesregardingchallengesandactions
neededforagroecologyinEurope.Thispaperdoesnotaimtovaluethestatementsmade.Forexample,
variousparticipantsclaimedthatthereisalackofwidespread,interdisciplinaryagroecologyresearch.
Althoughitmightbetruethatinterdisciplinaryresearchisstillnotsufficientlydeveloped,thereare
manyongoinginterdisciplinaryresearchefforts[36,46]ofwhichnon-academiastakeholdersmightnot
beaware. Also,someparticipantsclaimedthatthereexistsnobroadcommonlyaccepteddefinitionof
agroecologyandthatitshouldbedeveloped. Thisisnotastonishingwhentakingintoaccountthe
largediversityofagroecologyinEuropeorothercountriesoftheworld. Manyofthestakeholders
mighthavetheirownformsof‘agroecologies’,thereforeusingthedefinitionstheyprefer. Thereis
nowalargenumberofdefinitions[25],althoughweseearemoreandmoreconvergence.
6. Conclusions
AgricultureinEuropeproduceslargeamountsoffoodforEuropeanpopulations,andhasbecome
amajorexportsector(whileEuropealsoimportslargequantitiesoffood). Withtheintensificationof
agricultureinEurope,significantenvironmentalandsocialproblemshaveemerged,suchastheloss
ofbiodiversity,pesticidecontaminationofsoils,water,andfood,andeutrophicationofwaterbodies.
Industrialisedagriculturalandfoodsystemsarealsoamajorcontributingfactorinthedeclineoffarm
numbersinEurope, andhighuseofantibioticshasledtoserioushumanhealthproblems. Inthis
respect,agroecologycanprovideinsightsintoimportantpathwaysandguidethedesign,development,
andpromotionofthetransitiontowardssustainablefarmingandfoodsystems.
ThevariouschallengesforthedevelopmentandamplificationofagroecologyinEuropethatwere
identifiedbyalargegroupofparticipantsattheAgroecologyForum2017inLyoncanbegrouped
into seven categories: (1) definition and concepts; (2) knowledge sharing, education and training;
(3)researchapproachandfunding;(4)policies;(5)productivityandpractices;(6)foodsystemsand
consumer awareness; and (7) co-optation. To overcome these challenges, the following types of
keyactionsareneededfromthelocaltotheEuropeanlevel: (1)todevelopcommonunderstanding
ofagroecology; (2)toenhanceeducationinagroecologyandknowledgeexchange; (3)toinvestin
agroecologicalresearch;(4)tosupportnewandexistingagroecologicalpractices;(5)todeveloppolicies
to enhance agroecology; (6) to transform food systems; and (7) to strengthen communication and
alliances. AlthoughlargechallengesexistinEuropetodevelopmoresustainableagro-foodsystems,
differentpathwaysandactionsareavailabletoreachthisgoal.
Sustainability2018,10,1598 10of12
AuthorContributions: A.W.isthemainwriterofthispaperandmadethemainanalysisofthedata. M.G.,
J.B.,G.F.F.andA.P.collectedthedatafortheWorldCafé(togetherwithA.W.),summarizedit,andcontributed
significantlyforwritingofthepaper.Theotherauthorscontributedtowritingandeditingofthepaper.
Acknowledgments: We are grateful for the many contributions of the more than 310 participants at the
Agroecology Europe Forum 2017. We also particularly thank the convenors of sessions and workshops in
workingoutkeyactionsrelatedtodifferentdomainsandtopicsinagroecology. Wehighlyacknowledgethe
workoftheMScAgroecologystudentsatISARA,Lyon,France,whoweretakingnotesduringallsessionsand
workshopsandwhoprovidedsummariesofeach.Wealsothankthreereviewersfortheirvaluablecommentsand
suggestionstoimprovethepaper.
ConflictsofInterest:Theauthorsdeclarenoconflictofinterest.
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