Agroecology offers a path for the positive transformation of our flawed farming and food systems, which contribute significantly to climate change, obesity, and global hunger. As the interest in agroecology expands, it’s crucial to rigorously evaluate its capacity to merge science, practice, and social movements for fostering sustainable food systems.
Agroecology provides practical and scalable solutions for a shift towards sustainable nutritious diets, soil regeneration, and climate resilience among farmers and pastoralists.
Scaling Agroecology in Haiti
In Haiti, rampant soil erosion and deforestation forced people to migrate to overcrowded cities like Port-au-Prince. The devastating 2010 earthquake underscored Haiti’s vulnerability, exacerbated by historical exploitation and weak governance. To create a resilient future, focus must shift to revitalizing rural communities, regenerating land, and reversing the flow of resources to urban centers. Organizations like Partenariat pour le Développement Local (PDL) and Groundswell International are committed to empowering local communities for sustainable development amidst ongoing challenges.
Cantave Jean-Baptiste, Executive Director of PDL and Groundswell International’s Board Liaison for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizes the organization’s focus on empowering family farmers and peasant associations to lead their own development efforts independently from external aid. They aim to foster a sense of agency and capacity within these associations, enabling them to assert their identity as proactive contributors to their communities. This approach involves ongoing efforts to cultivate and expand local leadership, particularly among women and youth, while reinforcing democratic organizational structures from the grassroots level. Ultimately, these empowered peasant associations drive initiatives to promote agroecological farming, enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies, and improve community health.
PDL’s approach has empowered rural communities in Haiti, fostering robust farmers’ organizations and democratic decision-making. By spreading agroecological practices and strengthening local resources, they’ve enhanced production, income, and resilience to climate variability. Challenges persist, but PDL aims to assess impacts, expand farmer enterprises, and promote agroecology through communication channels. Peasant associations demonstrate the potential to regenerate farms and communities, needing support from policies and programs to realize a resilient future for Haiti.
Challenges and Opportunities in Ecuador
In Ecuador, traditional Andean farming methods that resemble agroecology sustained indigenous communities for generations. However, modern agricultural practices, including Green Revolution technologies and export-oriented crops, caused environmental and social crises, threatening traditional farming practices and food sovereignty. Hybridizing traditional methods with Western technologies exacerbated issues like soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Urgent action was and is needed to restore traditional farming practices and protect both ecosystems and food sovereignty in Ecuador and beyond.
Rural development initiatives must prioritize fostering democratic, healthy local food systems and promoting dialogue across diverse stakeholders. Collaboration between public institutions, civil society, NGOs, universities, and communities is essential. Innovations in urban-rural relationships, including peri-urban and urban agriculture, should be embraced for sustainable change.
EkoRural, an Ecuadorian NGO, empowers rural communities in sustainable farming and resource management. They foster social change through endogenous development processes, supporting community-led initiatives and facilitating exchanges between rural and urban stakeholders. EkoRural’s approach includes direct support for rural initiatives, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and collaboration with diverse actors. They advocate for diversified and sustainable livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of local food systems and family farm regeneration. EkoRural’s programs engage with soils, water, seeds, and local markets to promote practices like cover cropping, water harvesting, seed conservation, and rural-urban connections, ultimately contributing to broader social change and food sovereignty.
Agroecology Builds a Foundation for the Future
Agricultural development requires the following:
- A shift from export-focused agroindustry to multifunctional, locally adapted approaches.
- Empowering family farmers and rural organizations to innovate within their contexts is vital.
- Evaluation frameworks that reflect local values.
- Flexibility and respect for diverse motivations are crucial for sustainable progress in agricultural development.
Raising local markets, preserving seed varieties, and enhancing farm biodiversity hinge on successful rural-urban alliances, offering avenues for collaboration and sustainable agricultural development.
You can learn more about scaling agroecology and the opportunities it provides by downloading a copy of “Fertile Ground: Scaling Agroecology from the Ground Up” for free. You can also show your support for Groundswell by purchasing a printed copy.