Agroecology as an Approach to Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward - Adaptation Community

Multiple crises are threatening agriculture and food systems worldwide, with smallholder farmers in the Global South bearing the brunt of the impacts. In this context, agroecology is increasingly recognised as a multiple-win strategy that strengthens smallholder livelihoods while supporting biodiversity, soil health, climate adaptation and food security. 

Between 2014 and 2023, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) committed EUR 3.65 billion to agroecology projects in the Global South. This publication highlights key findings from a study that examined 61 such projects across 26 countries, with a focus on the interconnections between resilience and agroecology. 

Main findings:

• Ecological and climate resilience encompass soil and animal health, biodiversity, nutrient recycling and the creation of positive synergies. Evidence shows that projects which restored degraded land led to more profitable and diversified agricultural activities. This strengthened adaptive resilience by stabilising productivity and transformative resilience through land restoration. 

• Economic and food chain resilience was linked to economic diversification, reduced external inputs and stronger market integration. Crop and livestock diversification generated income surpluses and improved household consumption. Lower input use reduced production costs, strengthening farmers’ autonomy and income stability. Projects promoting cooperative marketing and Participatory Guarantee Systems expanded local economic opportunities and buffered farmers against market failures. 

• Socio-political resilience integrates knowledge co-creation, social values and diets, land and natural resource governance, fairness and participation. Projects in this area fostered solidarity, autonomy and inclusion. Examples include farmer field schools, participatory training and community-led exchanges, as well as collective initiatives on land and water management (e.g. in West Africa) and women’s empowerment. 

• Gender was a cross-cutting dimension across the three resilience pathways. Projects contributed to better recognition of women’s land rights, improved access to resources and stronger representation in relevant groups and organisations. Given the wide range of food system activities women engage in, addressing gender roles proved to be a powerful lever for building resilience. 

• Time is crucial for building resilience through agroecology. Changing farming practices requires testing and experimentation, and results may only emerge after several years. Agroecology projects therefore need a long-term perspective and sustained support for farmers during the initial phases. 

• Adopting multiple agroecological principles creates synergies and amplifies positive outcomes. Economic diversification and input reduction are among the most effective principles in this regard. 

• Linking agroecological approaches with value chain development is more effective than focusing solely on agricultural production.