How can combining research, practice, and policy in a systematic approach contribute to strengthening the implementation of European policies on sustainable agro-ecological farming whilst solving societal challenges?
Science has a role in contributing with knowledge to environmental and sustainability education, and translating new advancements into messages in the specific language of various actors, to assist policy and value chain actors including consumers in the transition towards sustainable food systems.
Definition of agro-ecology and typology of agro-ecological farming systems: In UNISECO we developed a typology of agro-ecological farming systems and practices encompassing different implementation scales of such practices at field, farming systems and landscape levels.
Agro-ecological transitions: farm-level strategies: All the 15 UNISECO Case Studies contain a key dilemma associated with the transition to agro-ecological farming systems. Explore the different scopes and topics our case studies cover.
Territorial sustainability impacts of agro-ecological transitions: We assessed the territorial impact of agro-ecological farming practices and food systems transformation in the EU in 2050.
Socio-ecological systems framework for agro-ecological transitions: To analyse the transition of farming systems, in UNISECO we adapted the theoretical framework of socio-ecological systems (SES) developed by Ostrom. This framework provides a holistic approach to integrating both the natural and the social aspects when analysing a complex situation or problem.
Networks of actors and governance systems in agro-ecological transitions: One of the key aspects developed in the socio-ecological systems framework is the analysis of the social system. It is composed of two sub-systems: the network of actors involved and the governance systems that influence the actions undertaken by the actors.
Market and policy incentives: Our findings highlighted that the existing market and policy incentives such as agri-environmental schemes and support for advisory services have positive effects on the decisions of farmers to adopt more ecological practices and motivate farmers to initiate or continue the transition. What are the key positive factors identified?
Science-policy interaction: The UNISECO project results are intended to contribute to the implementation of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the preparations of the European R&I partnership on agroecology living labs and research infrastructures, and the national CAP Strategic Plans.
Transdisciplinary Multi-actor platforms: MAPs have been a core part of the transdisciplinary approach in UNISECO. The MAPs and research consortium, across disciplinary boundaries and non-academic organisations, form an integrative transdisciplinary framework.
Tools from UNISECO: The methodological factsheets offer actors from science, practice and policy guidelines for applying different methodologies when developing strategies for agro-ecological transitions in co-constructive settings.
Tools from UNISECO: Socio-Ecological System Interaction Tool (SESSIT) focuses on the dilemma of sustainable food production and communicates agro-ecological solutions between farmers and with other people interested in food production.
Tools from UNISECO: Practice briefs - UNISECO has also produced a series of recommendations for practitioners and policy makers to identify issues and promote good practices.
Further research needs: There is a lot of scope and potential for research and innovation in the field of agro-ecological transitions. What are the future research needs that we encountered during the continuous multi-actor discussions?
The role of research and innovation in agro-ecological farming systems
If the overall objective of agro-ecological farming systems is achieving a system re-design based on agro-ecological principles, it is clear that the technical improvement of farming practices is not sufficient. Such a re-design requires collective thinking, the involvement of new actors and different forms of coordination between stakeholders.
Science and innovation are at the heart of not only advancing knowledge, know-how and technology development of agro-ecological transitions. We learnt from the UNISECO Case Studies that research, innovation and advisory actors also have a central role as mediators in the science-policy-practice interface. In the UNISECO Case Studies there is already an active engagement in the networks of the value chain, farmers and public sector actors. However, NGOs and other civil society organisations were observed having limited roles, with very reduced or no interaction at all with farmers and authorities. In most case studies media is a missing actor, only few case studies pinpointed media as a crucial node of the network, for spreading knowledge. To effectively mediate the adoption of agro-ecological farming systems via an increase in the demand, consumers need proper education about the different options available, in terms of their potential benefits for the environment and for rural development. Science has a role in contributing with knowledge to environmental and sustainability education, and translating new advancements into messages in the specific language of various actors, to assist policy and value chain actors including consumers in the transition towards sustainable food systems. This is a clear message from the analysis of categories of actors currently involved in supporting agro-ecological farming systems in the 15 UNISECO case studies.
EXPLORE THE DETAILS OF OUR CASE STUDIES BY CLICKING ON THE RESPECTIVE PARTS OF THE OVERVIEW MAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Our evidences collected in the field also suggest that in the evolution of the roles and relationships of actor categories in order to improve how the key dilemmas of agro-ecological transitions should be addressed, the actors identified under the science and innovation category (including AKIS and advisory services) should improve how they involve actors of the media and consumer to stimulate new forms of learning and knowledge production. This will raise public consciousness, people’s empowerment and political action to facilitate the transition towards agro-ecological farming systems. Especially, evidence from the case studies suggest that skilled farm advisors (e.g. on agro-ecological practices) are necessary for farm level adoption of AE practices. Then targeting incentives to advisors might improve their ability to drive agro-ecological innovation, e.g. by supporting advisors’ further education. Education has a crucial role itself, especially for the future generations of farmers and advisors. The diffusion of AE programs in formal secondary and tertiary education is uneven throughout Europe. This is due to many institutional and cultural diversities across countries; overcoming those differences may help improving the knowledge base of producers and practitioners. Besides, extension services did not show up as relevant themselves in any of the case studies. This might be due to agroecology not being a formalised agricultural method yet. Often, extension is associated with the activity of farmer associations, which sometimes tend to be the voice of risk averse farmers. The transition towards agroecology is a knowledge-intensive process, which, to date, has not guaranteed producers a better position on the market of their products, compared to other types of sustainable farming system. This is due to a difficulty in the identification of clear-cut criteria to differentiate the products on the market and to communicate that difference to the bulk of consumers.
