1. What is agroecology?
Agroecology is an approach that leverages science and social movements to develop local, adaptive, and sustainable agriculture. It aims to empower marginalized farmers by promoting sustainability and creating fresh value chains in agriculture.
2. What are the key goals of agroecology?
Agroecology seeks to address major agricultural challenges such as soil degradation, environmental depletion, and the empowerment of small-scale farmers both economically and socially. It offers an alternative to the monoculture-based and chemical-dependent approaches used after the Green Revolution.
3. How does agroecology impact small-scale farmers worldwide?
Agroecology has shown positive effects on small-scale farmers in developing countries. For instance, it contributes to water conservation and crop growth in areas with poor rainfall. It also enhances farmer well-being and awareness of nature-related benefits. Access to various forms of capital, including social, produced, and natural, leads to increased yield outputs.
4. How does agroecology promote sustainability in farming?
Agroecology minimizes external inputs into farmland and maximizes local knowledge and farm-generated inputs. It has been shown to outperform conventional agriculture in terms of yields and profitability, with diversification of crops reducing yield gaps. It also emphasizes biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience.
5. How is India adopting agroecology?
India has initiated programs like the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati program and zero-budget natural farming under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). These programs promote indigenous practices, soil health management, and climate resilience among farmers.
6. What are the objectives of India's National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
The NMSA aims to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and climate-resilient. Its objectives include the development of rainfed areas, on-farm water management, soil health management, and using sustainable agriculture to address climate change.
7. What methods and practices are involved in India's adoption of agroecology?
India's adoption of agroecology involves integrated farming systems, resource management, promoting indigenous strains of crops, nutrient management practices, knowledge sharing programs, and government intervention through nodal agencies and NGOs.
