Agroecology Case Studies

Agroecology is the application of ecological science to agriculture and agroecosystems. It encompasses a wide-variety of practices, which are coherent with key principles of environment preservation, social fairness, and economic viability. Therefore, agroecology combines parameters of sound ecological management, like minimizing the use of toxics by using on-farm renewable resources and privileging endogenous solutions to manage pests and disease, with an approach that upholds and secures farmers' livelihoods.

Includes thirty-three case studies that shed light on the tremendous success of agroecological agriculture across the African continent.

They demonstrate with facts and figures how an agricultural transformation respectful of the farmers and their environment can yield immense economic, social, and food security benefits while also fighting climate change and restoring soils and the environment.
Tanzanian farmer intercropping grains with legumes.

Credit: Michael Farrelly.

Sample of case studies:

1. Organic Cocoa in Sierra Leone
2. Rural Women’s Associations and Sustainable Agriculture in Casamance
3. The West African Integrated Production and Pest Management Program (IPPM)
4. Regenerative Agriculture in Senegal
5. Women’s Association for Compost and Other Agroecological Practices in Burkina Faso
6. Agroforestry to Improve Farm Productivity in Mali
7. Integrated Witchweed Management in Mali
8. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Mali
9. Restoring Ecological Balance and Bolstering Social and Economic Development in Niger
10. The Agricultural and Tree Products Program in Cameroon
11. Low External Inputs Technologies and Biodiversity in Ethiopia
12. Tackling Banana Wilt Disease in the DRC
13. Soil and Water Conservation on the Slopes of Kilimanjaro
14. Drought Prone Malawi and Zambia Turn to Cassava
15. Mulch and Seed Banks: Conservation Farming in Zimbabwe
16. The Machobane Farming System in Lesotho

SOURCE THE OAKLAND INSTITUTE

Media

Taxonomy

• Agriculture
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agronomics
• Agronomy