Principles And Practices Of Agro-Ecology And Organic Agriculture That Are Both Convergent And Divergent: A Review

Abstract

Stakeholders are debating how agriculture and food systems should evolve in the future to address issues with social justice, biodiversity, climate change, and food supply on a global scale. Agro-ecology and organic farming are mentioned as alternatives. Although they both employ a systems approach and have similar objectives, stakeholders perceive and react to them in different ways. Here, we examine and contrast the tenets and methods that are outlined in the scientific literature on agro-ecology, International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM) rules, and EU legislation (European Commission) pertaining to organic agriculture. The following are the primary findings: In terms of guiding principles, the EU's organic laws primarily concentrate on the proper planning and administration of biological processes that are based on ecological systems, the limitation of outside inputs, and the stringent control of chemical inputs. The wide and comprehensive IFOAM principles encompass a systematic and holistic understanding of sustainability. Agro-ecology offers a well-defined set of guidelines for managing agri-food systems ecologically, which encompasses certain socio-economic aspects as well.  Agro-ecology, EU organic, and IFOAM all advocate similar cropping techniques, such as soil tillage, soil fertility and fertilization, crop and cultivar selection, crop rotation, and pest, disease, and weed control. On the other hand, goods that may be utilized for managing weeds, diseases, and pests as well as for soil fertilization have diverse sources and amounts. Furthermore, just one of the three sources mentions some procedures. There are very few suggested techniques in animal agriculture that are comparable between IFOAM, agro-ecology, and EU organic. These include breed selection and the blending of cropping and animal systems. On the other hand, there are differences in the definitions or descriptions of animal management practices, veterinarian management, animal housing, animal welfare, and prevention techniques in animal health.  In relation to food systems, organic farming emphasizes technical elements like food processing, whereas there is a significant dispute in agro-ecology between a transformative and confirmative agenda.