Means of scaling up agroecology for sustainable food systems discussed at UN seminars

Ways to maximize the benefits of agroecology in promoting healthier and sustainable food were discussed in detail through two events at the United Nations in New York.

The events, one seminar and one webinar, were co-organized by FAO, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems. Both events introduced the FAO-led United Nations Initiative Scaling Up Agroecology Initiative and showed how Agroecology can contribute to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda including SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.

Midori Paxton, Head of Ecosystems and Biodiversity at UNDP, informed the participants that unsustainable agricultural practices have led to land degradation on a massive scale, affecting 3.2 billion people, has forced migration and has widened insecurity and inequality. Against this backdrop, Paxton also said that applying the agroecology approach can be instrumental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Emma Siliprandi, Lead Focal Point for the FAO Scaling up Agroecology Initiative, presented a common vision on sustainable food and agriculture, citing agroecology as a potentially transformative approach that challenges the status quo. She also shared key elements of agroecology that could guide transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems, including responsible governance, diversity, resilience, and co-creation and sharing of knowledge.

Emile Frison, Member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, emphasized that a successful transformation of our food system could result from linking together many different players and organizations, each working their own domain of influence with their own strategies and at their own levels of influence but coalescing around shared values and vision to bring about systems transformation.

Agroecology integrates ecological and social concepts in the design and management of agricultural production and food systems, while optimizing interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment. The approach also aims to address the social aspects of a sustainable and fair food system.