Crops
Small-scale farmers grow a third of the world’s food. In a rapidly changing world, they need support to do so sustainably.
Agroecology - IFAD
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Agroecology
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In 2022, one in three rural adults were food insecure. Despite producing a third of the food consumed globally, small-scale producers and their communities experience hunger and food insecurity caused by failing food systems. Unsustainable agricultural practices and climate change are exacerbating the situation.
For IFAD, agroecology is an important part of the solution. This is an integrated and holistic approach to transforming food systems. Through it, it’s possible to produce enough diverse and affordable food while conserving and protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
Agroecology empowers small-scale producers, particularly women and youth, as shapers of sustainable food systems. By combining ecological principles, traditional knowledge and modern science, agroecological techniques are environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically viable.
Around 60 per cent of all IFAD projects completed between 2018 and 2023 implemented agroecological practices. Many of these were linked to climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
IFAD’s Global Programme for Small Agroecological Producers and Sustainable Transformation of Food Systems connects small-scale producers in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to bio-inputs, such as better seeds and new technologies. It also expands markets and strengthens rural advisory services.
This enables them to use agroecological principles which increase production while conserving natural resources. The programme is also developing tools that assess the economic, environmental and social benefits of agroecological investments.