While interest is generated over new and emerging technologies, there is a diversity of knowledge, technologies and practices in agriculture, health care, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem management. Many of these support the livelihoods of small farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples and local entrepreneurs affecting millions of people and communities across the world, especially in developing countries. In many cases, national industries have developed from traditional knowledge and endogenous technologies.There are thus vast potential and promises in these sustainable systems and practices, requiring investment and mainstreaming into development policies at the national, regional and international level. A holistic approach to technology assessment and choice would develop sophisticated principles, criteria and indicators that enable countries to benefit from sustainable production and conservation systems.

Scaling Up Agroecology

This paper shows that agroecology has proven capable of sustainably increasing productivity and has far greater potential for fighting hunger, particularly during economic and climatically uncertain times. […]

Organic Agriculture Offers Host of Benefits for Africa

Organic agriculture can offer an impressive array of food security, economic, environmental, and health benefits for developing countries, especially in Africa […]

Agroecology, Not GM Crops, Needed for Africa

This opinion piece argues that Bill Gates’ support of GM crops for Africa is the wrong approach, and that what is needed instead is agro-ecological farming. […]

Successful Ecological Agriculture Experiences in Developing Countries

A wealth of experiences from Asia, Latin America and Africa shows that ecological agriculture is best placed to meet the needs of small farmers in developing countries. […]

Agroecologically Efficient Agricultural Systems for Smallholder Farmers

This article analyzes the fundamental reasons why the promotion of agroecology based on the revitalization of small farms is the only viable option to meet the world’s food needs in the face of increasing oil prices and climate change. […]

Data from Tigray, Ethiopia Show Increased Yields with Bioslurry Compost

Anaerobic digester plants have been installed to provide Ethiopian small farming families with renewable, cleaner and safer energy. Bioslurry compost from the digesters has increased average wheat grain yields by 64%, and barley grain yields by 72%. […]

‘Virtuous Circles’ Can Help Secure Food Supplies and Address Climate Change

A call for the development of alternative circular systems that mimic natural cycles to produce food, energy, materials and clean water. […]

Agroecology Provides Technologies for Climate Change Adaptation

A guidebook on technologies for climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector showcasing 22 adaptation technologies, which are based primarily on the principles of agroecology. […]

Ecological Agriculture Urgently Needed to Face Climate and Hunger Crisis

This report highlights how climate change, pressure on ecosystem resources and rising food prices pose challenges. What is needed is greater investment in sustainable small-scale farming, which is climate resilient, renews ecosystems and reduces hunger. […]

Ecological Agriculture is Climate Resilient

This TWN briefing paper argues that ecological agriculture is climate resilient and is central to agricultural adaptation. It sets out what efforts are needed to facilitate the transition to ecological agriculture. […]