Agroecology and the conversion of lárge‐scale conventional systems to sustainable management
Abstract
This paper describes the agroecological principles necessary to guide the conversion of high‐input conventional systems to a low‐input management based on crop diversification and livestook integration schemes which break the monoculture nature of conventional systems. The new crop‐crop and crop‐animal combinations result in a series of synergisms and complementarities among farming system components which lead to optimal recycling of organic matter and nutrients, and to balanced pest‐natural enemy populations. Thus, agroecological design goes beyond “input‐substitution” by establishing systems capable of sponsoring their own soil fertility, crop protection and yield constancy. These new agroecosystems provide a sustainable level of productivity with minimal need for external (conventional or organic) resources. Biological structuring sponsors the functioning of the system.
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Livestock, especially ruminant livestock, are integral to some farming systems, e.g., agroecological systems.
“However, livestock, especially ruminant livestock, are integral to some farming systems, e.g., agroecological systems (Altieri and Rosset 1996).”
From Delivering “less but better” meat in practice—a case study of a farm in agroecological transition (2022) · cites this paper as Altieri and Rosset 1996
A key aspect of agroecology is using animals as convertors of biomass that is inedible to humans instead of feeding animals cereals and pulses.
“A key aspect of agroecology is using animals as convertors of biomass that is inedible to humans instead of feeding animals cereals and pulses (Altieri and Rosset 1996).”
From Delivering “less but better” meat in practice—a case study of a farm in agroecological transition (2022) · cites this paper as Altieri and Rosset 1996
Some yield reductions can be expected following agroecological transition, at least initially.
“Some yield reductions can be expected following agroecological transition, at least initially (Altieri and Rosset 1996; Muller et al. 2018).”
From Delivering “less but better” meat in practice—a case study of a farm in agroecological transition (2022) · cites this paper as Altieri and Rosset 1996
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Agroecology: the science of natural resource management for poor farmers in marginal environments
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Delivering “less but better” meat in practice—a case study of a farm in agroecological transition
Resare Sahlin, K., Carolus, J., von Greyerz, K., Ekqvist, I., & Röös, E. (2022) · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · doi:10.1007/s13593-021-00737-5 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
- Authors
- Altieri, M. A., & Rosset, P.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Environmental Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1996-08
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 3-4
- Pages
- 165-185
- ISSN
- 0020-7233 (ISSN-L)
- 1029-0400
- OpenAlex
- W2151485763
- Cited by
- 151
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 3.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Environmental Studies (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant and soil sciences
- Keywords
- agroecology, conventional farming systems, low-input agriculture, sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, livestock integration, nutrient cycling, organic matter recycling, soil fertility, factor substitution, agroecosystems
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