Agroecology or Agroecological farming

Subject: Environment

Section : Agriculture

Agroecology is the study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems.
- Application of ecological principles to agroecosystems can help in developing novel management approaches and techniques in agriculture systems.
- The field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method of farming, whether it be organic, integrated, or conventional, intensive or extensive. However, it has much more in common with organic and integrated farming.
Agroecology is not against the use of technology in agriculture but assesses how, when, and if technology can be used in conjunction with natural, social and human assets.
- It recognizes that there is no universal formula or recipe for the success and maximum well-being of an agroecosystem and is context- or site-specific.
Agroecology is not defined by certain management practices, instead, it studies questions related to the four system properties of agroecosystems:

Agroecologists see all four properties as interconnected and integral to the success of an agroecosystem and study them through an interdisciplinary lens,
- using natural sciences to understand elements of agroecosystems as well as
- using social sciences to understand the effects of farming practices on rural communities, economic constraints to developing new production methods, or cultural factors determining farming practices.
Agroecologists do not limit themselves to the study of agroecosystems at any one scale: gene- organism- population- community- ecosystem- landscape- biome, field- farm- community- region- state- country- continent- global.

Benefits of Agroecology-

It provides a robust set of solutions to the environmental and economic pressures facing agriculture today.
The current industrial food system has gone off the rails, increasingly dependent on health-harming pesticides and other chemical inputs that degrade soil, threaten pollinator populations and pollute water.
By shifting farming policies and practices to embrace agroecology, we can create a food system to sustain this and future generations — one rooted in productivity, resilience, equity and sustainability.
Agroecological farming can double food production within ten years without harming the environment.
Agroecology recognizes the multifunctional dimensions of agriculture – which not only produces food, jobs and economic well-being but also creates cultural, social and environmental benefits.
Agroecology also protects and provides ecosystem services like pollination, natural pest control, nutrient and water cycling and erosion control.

Agroecological farming has been shown to-

Increase ecological resilience, especially with respect to volatile weather conditions;
Improve health and nutrition through more diverse, nutritious and fresh diets and reduced incidence of pesticide poisonings and pesticide-related diseases;
Conserve biodiversity and natural resources such as soil organic matter, water, crop genetic diversity and natural enemies of pests;
Improve economic stability with more diverse sources of income, the spread of labour needs and production over time, and reduced vulnerability to commodity price swings; and
Mitigate effects of climate change through reduced reliance on fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based agricultural inputs, increased carbon sequestration and water capture in soil.