ecologically sustainable food systems

This report analyzes the diverse, direct and indirect, contributions of forests and trees to food security and nutrition (FNS). This contribution happens through four main channels: direct provision of food; provision of energy, especially for cooking; income generation and employment; and provision of ecosystem services that are essential for FNS, human health and well-being. »

This article generates empirical evidence on emerging agricultural innovations in contrasting socio-economic, geographical and agro-ecological contexts. The study demonstrates that several farm practices (innovations) have emerged in response to multiple drivers over time, with various forms of institutional and policy support, including incentives to reduce risks in the adoption of innovative practice. »

This blog explains the basic principles of System of Rice Intensification (SRI), the implications of the methodology, and the role it can play in agriculture in the future. SRI is best understood as a set of agronomic principles rather than as a typical kind of agricultural technology. »

This article assesses whether or not conservation agriculture (CA) is climate-smart. For a cropping system to be labelled “climate-smart” it has to deliver three benefits: a) adapt to the effects of climate and be of increased resilience; b) mitigate climate effects by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and c) sustainably increase productivity and income. »

This blog discusses how farmers in semi-arid regions adapt to climate change and what is needed for sustained and equitable adaptation. The blog links to research done in Northern Ghana, India and Kenya, which show how farmers and pastoralists deal with the effects of climate change. »

This info note describes to what proportion smallholder farms contribute relative to all agricultural emissions, and to total global emissions from all sectors. Smallholders in developing countries produce, on a very rough estimate, 5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from smallholder farming in developing countries are roughly estimated as contributing to onethird of agricultural emissions and one-third of the emissions from deforestation due to agriculture globally. »