Title of document: Agroecology in Europe: Research, Education, Collective Action Networks, and Alternative Food Systems Authors: Alexander Wezel, Julia Goette, Elisabeth Lagneaux, Gloria Passuello, Erica Reisman, Christophe Rodier and Grégoire Turpin Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Heinrich Böll Stiftung - The Green Political Foundation Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: EUROPE Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Introduction; Information Collection; Research and Education in Agroecology in Europe; Collective Action; Agriculture, Agroecological Territories, and Food Systems……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1214 Summary: This is a report about Research, Education, Collective Action Networks, and Alternative Food Systems in Europe, post on www.mdpi.com, published: 17 April 2018   Read More

Title of document: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Authors: GIAHS Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: FAO, GIAHS Year of publication: 2017-2018 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues / topics addressed (for example: introduction GIAHS; Main features of GIAHS sites; GIAHS around the world ……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This is a brief introduction Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme   Read More

Title of document: CALAO project “Agro-ecology: capitalization of experiences in West Africa” _ Version French and English Authors: Laurent Levard, Bertrand Mathieu, Eric Alsruhe Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: GRET, AVSF Year of publication: Geographic focus: West Africa Main issues / topics addressed (for example: About CALAO Project; Study Methodology and Execution ……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This is a summary note of CALAO project in West Africa _Version French and English   Read More

Title of document: PGS Guidelines “How Participatory Guarantee Systems can develop and function” Authors: MOHAMAD ROFF BIN MOHD NOOR Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: IFOAM Year of publication: 2008 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues / topics addressed (for example: PGS Basic Elements; PGS and ICS; Key features; Role of Peer Review in the PGS process; Fees……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This publication was commissioned and funded by IFOAM through its “IFOAM-Growing Organic” program (I-GO), funded by Hivos, Netherlands and the “Fund for Sustainable Biodiversity Management” of the Dutch Government, managed by Hivos and NOVIB This document illustrates the commonalities of these many PGSs and should be read in conjunction with the IFOAM publications “Participatory Guarantee Systems - Case Studies from Brazil, India, New Zealand, USA” and Participatory Guarantee System FAQs”   Read More

Title of document: Biochar, climate change and soil: A review to guide future research Authors: Saran Sohi, Elisa Lopez-Capel, Evelyn Krull and Roland Bol Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CSIRO, ROTHAMSTED Research, Newcastle University Year of publication: 2009 Geographic focus: General Main issues / topics addressed (for example: What is biochar?; Biochar application in Agriculture; Policy context and Analysis; Research Priorities and Future Challenges……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Biochar is the charred by-product of biomass pyrolysis, the heating of plant-derived material in the absence of oxygen in order to capture combustible gases. The objective of this report was to review and evaluate published studies with regard to what evidence and arguments currently exist that assess the application of biochar to soil to a) sequester carbon and b) produce secondary agronomic benefits. Current analyses suggest that there is global potential for annual sequestration of atmospheric CO2 at the billion-tonne scale (109 t yr-1) within 30 years. So far, however, the underlying published evidence arises mainly from small-scale studies that do not currently support generalisation to all locations and all types of biochar.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecology and the Search for a Truly Sustainable Agriculture - 1st edition Authors: Miguel A. Altieri and Clara I. Nicholls Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: UN; PNUMA; University of California Year of publication: 2005 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the alternatives to conventional farming; Agroecology: principles and strategies for designing sustainable farming systems; the ecological impacts of transgenic crops; an agroecological basis for insect pest management……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: There is increasing evidence that warns that the growing push toward industrialization and globalization of the world’s agriculture and food supply imperils the future of humanity and the natural world. Industrial agriculture which is corporate controlled, and promotes agrochemically based, monocultural, export-oriented systems are negatively impacting public health, ecosystem integrity, food quality and nourishment, traditional rural livelihoods, and indigenous and local cultures, while accelerating indebtedness among millions of farmers, and their separation from lands that have historically fed communities and families. This transition is increasing hunger, landlessness, homelessness, despair and suicides among farmers. Meanwhile, it is also degrading the planet’s life support systems, and increasing alienation of peoples from nature and the historic, cultural and natural connection of farmers and all other people to the sources of food and sustenance. Finally, it is also destroying the economic and cultural foundations of societies, undermines security and peace, and creates a context for social disintegration and violence. By confronting myth with reality, the objective of this book is to challenge the false promises made by the genetic engineering industry. The industry has promised that genetically engineered crops will move agriculture away from a dependence on chemical inputs, increase productivity, decrease input costs, and help reduce environmental problems (Office of Technology Assessment, 1992). Another agriculture is not only possible, it is already happening taking a multitude of expressions of alternative agriculture, from various variations of organic agriculture to more peasant based, subsistence oriented traditional agriculture. In this book we explore the extent, features and ecological, social and economic benefits of both forms of sustainable agriculture. In this report the agroecological features of organic agriculture as practiced in North America and Europe, and of traditional agriculture involving millions of small farmers and/or peasants in the developing world are described with emphasis on their contribution to food security, conservation/ regeneration of biodiversity and natural resources and economic viability. The book also depicts an agroecological path to reach a truly sustainable, biodiverse and socially just agriculture   Read More

Title of document: Conference Proceedings The 6th Biennial ECHO Asia Agriculture and Community Development Conference - ECHO Asia Notes - Issue 34 Authors: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Echo Asia Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, India Summary: The proceedings of the 6th Biennial ECHO Asia Agriculture and Community Development Conference that took place in Chiang Mai in October 2017 includes several articles about sustainable farming and agroecological practices in Asia: 1. Edible Wild Plants and their Contribution to Livelihoods and Diet of Ethnic Communities in Northeastern Cambodia, Ra Thorng (Mekong Institute) 2. Enabling a Bottom-up Approach in a Top-down Environment: A Case Study on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Facilitation in Huaphanh Province, Lao PDR, Claire Georges and Pierre Ferrand (GRET) 3. Facilitating Farmer-led Innovation and Extension in Agroecology in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, Justine Scholle, Premila Masse, and Louis Pautrizel (GRET) 4. Improving Lives and Livelihoods through Responsible Rural Tourism, with Examples from India, Keith Virgo, Manisha Pande, Pooja Masoor, and Dinesh Pande (Village Ways Pvt Ltd) 5. Sustainable Intensification of Rain Fed Lowland Rice Systems: A Case Study in Xieng Khouang, Province in Lao PDR, Mathilde Bourjac, Pierre Ferrand (GRET) and Jean-Christophe Castella (CIRAD)   Read More

Title of document: Soil improvement Authors: Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Year of publication: Geographic focus: Gerneral Main issues / topics addressed (for example: What is the best soil for plants? collect microorganisms from a natural forest; make rice husk charcoal……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This presentation for introduction how to improved soil   Read More

Title of document: Indigenous Microorgansims (IM) Authors: Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Year of publication: Geographic focus: General Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Materilas and how to do for IM……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This presentation for how to do “how to do for Indigenous Microorgansims (IM)   Read More

Title of document: Organic fertilizers “IMO Bokashi” Authors: Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Year of publication: Geographic focus: General Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Materilas and how to do for IMO bokashi; Application of IMO Bokashi……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This presentation for how to do “how to do for IMO bokashi and Application of IMO Bokashi”   Read More