Mapping the contribution of agroecological transitions to the sustainability of food systems : conceptual framework and available scientific knowledge

By mapping the potential interactions between two conceptual frameworks of agroecology (HLPE 2019) and food systems (David-Benz et al. 2022), and by analyzing the scientific literature focusing on the agroecology/food system interface, a wide variety of links has been identified between 13 agroecological principles and four sustainability dimensions of food systems. They illustrate the multidisciplinary of these subjects and the potential contribution of the agroecological transition towards more sustainable food systems. The sustainability dimension "food security, nutrition and health" on the one hand, and the agroecological principles of biodiversity, co-creation of knowledge and social values on the other hand, appear to be the most addressed aspects of the interface. On the contrary, other agroecological principles and sustainability dimensions of food systems need further research. These include among others the equity within food systems and the principles of land and resources governance, input reduction, recycling and economic diversification. The farm/agricultural system scale is the most covered segment of food value chains, while mid-stream segments would benefit from being further explored, just like multi-scale/multi-dimensional/multi-actors research is needed to allow deeper understanding of systems and trade-offs. The key findings of this report are expected to usefully assist and guide further researches relevant to the agroecological transition towards the sustainability of food systems.