Agroecology in the 2021-2027 Multi-annual Financial Framework of the EC/INTPA

3-4, 8 November 2021. Agroecology in the 2021-2027 Multi-annual Financial Framework. The scope of this training was to raise awareness on the meaning, role of and country experiences in agroecology and to provide concrete clues and guidance for programme formulation (e.g. entry points, indicators, etc.).

In her welcome words Carla MONTESI, Director “Green Deal, Digital Agenda”, DG INTPA,

underlined the extreme relevance of Agroecology (AE) in the efforts to manage and mitigate Climate Change. The European Union is very committed to promoting this approach in international cooperation and in regular programmes on agriculture and nutrition. All Multi Indicative Plans (MIPs) include references to sustainable agrifood systems. Such interventions need to be in line with AE principles to reach the climate and biodiversity targets.

“Sometimes we are aware of issues but not innovative enough. Now is the moment in which we can materialise our engagement at the political level and realise the Green Deal, and the Farm to Fork objectives.”

Multiple documents and instruments at the EU level reveal a strong push for Agroecology (AE). The European Green Deal was published at the end of 2019. It gave a strong push for agroecology notably in two main strategies: the Farm to Fork strategy and also the Biodiversity strategy. Both recognize the need to foster and promote further sustainable farming practices such as agroecology, agroforestry and organic farming. Not only these two strategies are relevant but also the zero pollution ambition. It recognizes the potential of agroecology in achieving those targets, leading towards zero pollution. The EU forestry strategy could also be mentioned for the recognition of the role of agroforestry and also the need to increase research in this area.

In the Farm to fork and Biodiversity strategies, agroecology is a holistic approach. It has the potential to transform agricultural systems, sustainability and performance. It includes social, economic, environmental, climate issues; healthy diets and agri food chains.

Webinar resources:

• Webinar sessions
• Interview with Helene Quentrec
• Case study: The experience of the Andhra Pradesh Community managed natural farming
• Agroecological systems for food security, climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity conservation
• Library and resources
• Biography of the speakers / Biographie des intervenants
• Link to all the presentations
• Link to the video playlist

A high level panel discussion praised the experience of the Andhra Pradesh Community managed natural farming (A.P.C.N.F). The respondents discussed a European Development Finance Institution perspective; the political/policy perspective; the youth perspective, the scientific perspective and the philanthropic approach. 

The very rich debate on  the experience of the Andhra Pradesh was followed by an exclusive Interview with the president of Sri Lanka H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa on agroecology - by Fergus SINCLAIR of World Agroforestry (ICRAF, Nairobi).