Australia recognises the contribution that agroecological innovations can make to improving food security and nutrition (FSN) and the sustainability of agricultural production. Australia welcomes the scoping consultation for the HLPE report which will help inform the future direction for agroecological research and development. Research conducted into agroecological innovations has traditionally focused on small-holder agricultural production systems, given that it is often in this context that low-cost and specific interventions to improve FSN and address environmental degradation, are most sorely needed to advance the 2030 agenda. Australia supports building upon this small-holder focus by suggesting that the HLPE also consider the potential for agroecological innovations to be implemented by medium and large-scale farming businesses. Ensuring that agroecological innovations and technologies are relevant and appropriately scaled to meet the technological extension needs of a wide-range of farming enterprises is essential for improving the sustainability and resilience of the global agriculture sector as a whole.
Benjamin Ross