Agroecology is an approach to agriculture and the food system that integrates ecological principles
with agricultural practices to promote soil health, water conservation, and farmer autonomy while
respecting cultures and diverse knowledge systems. The analysis of the agroecology case studies
for this policy brief was conducted within a framework based on the 5 principles of agroecology
developed by Pesticide Action Network Asia-Pacific (PAN-AP)1 and the 10 elements key to
agroecology as outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).2 While formulated by two
different institutions representing distinct experiences, knowledge, and expertise in agriculture and
food systems, these principles and elements, when combined, provide a comprehensive description
of key aspects of agroecology: prioritizing human and planet health; focusing on diversity and
resilience, emphasizing the role of small-scale food producers in decision-making processes and
natural resource governance key to food and agriculture, cultivation of food that nourishes the soil,
keeping alive all flora and fauna; moving away from extractive and profit-oriented food systems;
embedding food production in appropriate cultural practices; upholding the knowledge of smallscale
producers and promoting community-based experimentation; and sharing of knowledge rather
than top-down technology transfer.

Weaving together experiences from agreoclogy practitioners and promoters from Asia, Africa and Latin America, this policy brief provides policy recommendations on agreocology as a systemic alternative.