Committed to Principles of Agroecology

Committed to Principles of Agroecology

DIG is committed to the principles of agroecology in all facets of our work. Agroecology is our overarching strategy for strengthening climate resilience, food security, nutrition, financial resilience, and social cohesion. By embracing the principles of agroecology outlined in a report by The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE 2019), we teach sustainable farming practices to address these critical issues.

While we cannot achieve agroecology systems transformation on our own, we see our role as equipping marginalized communities with the knowledge and resources to cultivate their own healthy, culturally relevant food in sustainable ways, while leveraging indigenous knowledge and local varieties.

This ultimately supports systems-change by conserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and supporting local decision-making power over production, circulation, and consumption of food.

Through these efforts, we are committed to contribute to creating a more sustainable and just food system.

Source: HLPE 2019
Source: FAO 2018
Source: 13-Agroecology-Principles-Poster-United Nation-English
Source: 13-Agroecology-Principles- Poster -United Nation-French

What is Agroecology

Agroecology is a sustainable farming approach that works with nature to address critical issues of hunger, poverty, climate change and environmental degradation. It is a scientific discipline, a set of practices and a social movement. As a science, it studies how different components of the agroecosystem interact.

As a set of practices, it seeks sustainable farming systems that optimize and stabilize yields. As a social movement, it pursues multifunctional roles for agriculture, promotes social justice, nurtures identity and culture, and strengthens the economic viability of rural areas. (FAO 2018)

Consolidated Set of 13 Agroecological Principles (HLPE 2019)

1. Recycling. Preferentially use local renewable resources and close as far as possible resource cycles of nutrients and biomass.

2. Input reduction. Reduce or eliminate dependency on purchased inputs.

3. Soil heath. Secure and enhance soil health and functioning for improved plant growth, particularly by managing organic matter and by enhancing soil biological activity.

4. Animal health. Ensure animal health and welfare.

5. Biodiversity. Maintain and enhance diversity of species, functional diversity and genetic resources and maintain biodiversity in the agroecosystem over time and space at field, farm and landscape scales.

6. Synergy. Enhance positive ecological interaction, synergy, integration, and complementarity amongst the elements of agroecosystems (plants, animals, trees, soil, water).

Committed to Principles of Agroecology

What is Agroecology

As a set of practices, it seeks sustainable farming systems that optimize and stabilize yields. As a social movement, it pursues multifunctional roles for agriculture, promotes social justice, nurtures identity and culture, and strengthens the economic viability of rural areas. (FAO 2018)

Consolidated Set of 13 Agroecological Principles (HLPE 2019)

Plant Seeds That Reap Life