- In light of the COP16 biodiversity talks and the COP29 climate negotiations, governments and development partners should incentivize & invest in ways to help farmers scale up agroecological, regenerative and nature-based solutions, a new op-ed argues.
- Agroecology is a key climate solution according to the IPCC, and mobilizing greater investment is necessary to help farmers and Indigenous people to gain the right skills and help cover costs related to the certification and verification of their products.
- “Market-based incentives, such as premium prices for sustainably produced commodities, as well as non-market incentives, such as membership in farmer groups and valuable extension services, are needed to overcome the risk aversion associated with embracing new production systems,” writes the author.
- This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Mongabay.
Agriculture and nature are closely intertwined, with millions of farmers around the world relying on nature-based activities as their source of livelihoods. Yet the adverse impacts of agriculture on the environment, climate, and biodiversity cannot be understated.
From degraded soil and water resources to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable agricultural practices place enormous burdens on the environment and biodiversity.
Over the past 50 years, the conversion of natural ecosystems for crop production or pasture has been the major contributor to habitat loss, which has reduced biodiversity. At the same time, agriculture is responsible for a third of human-generated emissions.
As the world’s population grows, pressure on agri-food systems to provide more food is skyrocketing. Meeting this demand through conventional agriculture with no consideration for sustainability means an intensified use of natural resources, which in turn continues to drive an increase in biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions.
Policies such as the EU’s deforestation free law aim to reduce these impacts by setting standards for imported commodities such as cocoa, coffee and palm oil. Under this legislation, commodities coming into the EU must come with verification that they have been produced without resorting to deforestation.
However, this compliance-only approach misses the needs and challenges of the smallholder farmers producing these commodities. For example, difficulties in proving legal ownership of land or a lack of adequate understanding of processes involved in sustainability certifications often mean smallholder farmers struggle to comply with such regulations. This leaves them vulnerable to losing their livelihoods when importers look elsewhere to meet EU requirements.
In line with the outcomes of the COP16 biodiversity talks and the COP29 climate talks, governments and development partners must come up with the right incentives and investments to scale up agroecological, regenerative and nature-based solutions. Solutions that work with, not against, natural ecosystems, and protect both biodiversity and farmer livelihoods.
Firstly, governments could unlock greater investment and implement incentive mechanisms to support the transition to agroecological practices by integrating biodiversity and climate strategies for maximum benefit to both nature and nature-based livelihoods. This means aligning and coordinating the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) as presented at the recent COP16 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) presented at COP29.
Mobilizing greater investment is necessary to help farmers and Indigenous people to gain the right skills and help cover costs related to the certification and verification of their products. When sustainability certifications are extremely expensive or inaccessible, they create a lack of incentive, and limit farmers’ willingness and ability to transition to agroecology and nature-based solutions.
Projects like the EU-backed Agroecology Transitions – Private sector incentives and investments (PSii) bring together both public and private sector actors to align policy, investment, and technical support that enables climate-informed agroecological transitions for farmers in low- and middle-income countries.
This not only allows farmers to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to transition but also supports them in meeting complex legal and regulatory requirements.
Secondly, developing incentives that motivate farmers to switch to agroecology can boost adoption rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Market-based incentives, such as premium prices for sustainably produced commodities, as well as non-market incentives, such as membership in farmer groups and valuable extension services, are needed to overcome the risk aversion associated with embracing new production systems.
For example, incentives introduced through cooperatives such as technical assistance and organic certification encouraged the uptake of agroecological practices in the cacao value chain in Peru. These incentives benefitted farmers and supported better environmental outcomes, including greater climate resilience.
Finally, championing Indigenous knowledge is critical to advancing agroecology and can contribute significantly to the preservation of biodiversity globally. Indigenous communities have a wealth of knowledge on climate-resilient crop varieties, agroecological practices that can enhance soil fertility and manage pests sustainably, and much more.
Many Indigenous communities live in forested areas and their food systems have been intertwined with nature for time immemorial. This positions them well to lead agroecology and nature-based solutions initiatives that champion a transition to multi-functional landscapes and sustainable natural resource management.
Giving Indigenous communities a seat at the table and empowering them with the tools they need to lead the transition to agroecology-based practices will boost livelihoods, progress the goals of the biodiversity framework and advance fair and just climate action.
Preserving biodiversity and nature is equally important to protecting the livelihoods of those who depend on it. Mobilizing investments, scaling incentives and embracing Indigenous knowledge to support transitions to agroecology-based practices can advance climate and biodiversity goals while ensuring a more sustainable, and equitable future for all.
Jonathan Mockshell is Senior Agricultural Economist for Agrifood Systems and Policy Environment at the CGIAR Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT.
See profiles of agroecology schools in Brazil and India and all of Mongabay’s coverage of agroecology here.
Related audio from Mongabay’s podcast: Can agroecology feed the world? Experts say yes, listen here:
See related agroecology coverage:
From traditional practice to top climate solution, agroecology gets growing attention
One seed at a time: Lebanese project promotes agroecology for farmer autonomy
Agroecology schools help communities restore degraded land in Guatemala
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