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.

Tropical Small Family Farms Can Feed the Hungry and Preserve Biodiversity

Small-scale family farms that adopt sustainable agricultural techniques are more likely to preserve biodiversity in the tropics, which are facing massive deforestation, as well as address food security. This article reports on this research. […]

Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture Key to Tackling Hunger

A briefing from ActionAid UK’s Hunger Free Campaign highlights how sustainable smallholder agriculture offers a key solution to tackling hunger, while addressing poverty and climate change issues. […]

Organic Farming Raises Soil Carbon Levels

Research from the Soil Association in the UK underlines the importance of organic farming for carbon sequestration, hence mitigating agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. […]

Agriculture at a Crossroads

A report by Greenpeace highlights a selection of facts and recommendations from the IAASTD that are most compelling, urgent and useful to address the enormous tasks ahead. […]

Climate-friendly Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture can face the challenge of adapting to climate change, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. […]

Fighting Hunger With Native Crops

A project in Peru shows that hunger and poverty can be overcome by tapping into local and traditional crops. […]

Farmers as Seed Breeders and Custodians

An Indian organic farmer and seed breeder argues that it is crucial for farmers to retain control over seeds, so as to restore agricultural biodiversity. […]

The Economics of Agriculture Under Natural Farming

An Indian organic farmer recounts how his bitter experience with expensive and impoverishing Green Revolution techniques led him on the road to natural, organic farming. […]

Organic Practitioners Celebrate Outstanding Agriculture Techniques

Organic farmers at a South Asian conference demonstrate how organic farming could be a viable alternative to current Green Revolution techniques. […]

Corporate seed and the right to food

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food warns that large biotechnology firms are not only depriving poor farmers of inputs essential for their livelihoods, but are also pushing up food prices. […]