article thumbnail

Brainfood: Food insecurity drivers, Agroecology & fertilizers, Overselling GMOs, Genomic prediction, Striga breeding, Farmers’ preferences, Farmers’ WtP, Diversity metrics

Agricultural Biodiversity

The input reduction principle of agroecology is wrong when it comes to mineral fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa. …but that doesn’t mean agroecology is wrong. Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it. Drivers and stressors of resilience to food insecurity: evidence from 35 countries.

article thumbnail

Op-Ed | Why the World’s Food Systems Need to Transition Away from Industrial Agriculture

Food Tank

We need to rethink our food systems and transition to diversified agroecological systems that can ensure we address this twin challenge, and to provide nutritious diets to a growing population without destroying the planet. However, the country needs to scale-up agroecology and help farmers to make the transition.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Op-Ed | Diving into the Deep End of Regenerative Agriculture

Food Tank

Our current extractive and yield-driven approach—fueled in part by the Green Revolution—has come at a significant cost to our climate, soil, biodiversity, water, and even our long-term health. The urgency created by myriad crises cannot be overstated. It is possible to forge a more sustainable path.

article thumbnail

Agroecological Crop Selection, Part 1

ATTRA

By Justin Duncan, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist For the past couple years, NCAT has worked with the Southern Risk Management Education Center to provide training to farmers on how to better decide which crops to plant based on agroecological methods. The point of agroecological crop selection is mainly input reduction.

article thumbnail

Agroecological Crop Selection, Part 2

ATTRA

By Justin Duncan, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist For the past couple years, NCAT has worked with the Southern Risk Management Education Center to provide training to farmers on how to better decide which crops to plant based on agroecological methods. Soil types are important, but so are the biological communities within the soils.

article thumbnail

Brainfood: Croplands, Satellite phenotyping, Farm size, Bt double, Scaling up, Opinion leaders, Gendered knowledge, OFSP, Ethiopia sorghum diversity, Banana bunchy top, Climate change & pathogens, Bean pathogens, Mixtures, Rewards

Agricultural Biodiversity

Understanding farmer knowledge and site factors in relation to soil-borne pests and pathogens to support agroecological intensification of smallholder bean production systems. Diversification of arable crop systems through mixtures need not be bad for yields. Using satellites, no doubt. I wonder if you can see crop mixtures from space.

article thumbnail

Opinion: To Make a Real Impact on Climate Change, We Must Move Beyond the Carbon Footprint

Modern Farmer

Better yet, why do some researchers, farmers and activists prefer the term “urban agroecology?” From 2017 to 2019, my research team helped to define and elevate “urban agroecology” in the US as a better way of acknowledging the multifunctional benefits of urban green spaces. However, when you divide a large number (i.e.,