Agroecological techniques: adoption of safe and sustainable agricultural practices among the smallholder farmers in Africa

Abstract

Attaining sufficiency in food supply to support a growing population without compromising ecosystem functioning remains a top agenda of researchers and agricultural stakeholders. Agroecological farming approaches are effective techniques that ensure sustainable food production even in adverse situations. Population growth has been forecasted to reach over 9.1 billion by 2050 outpacing food production. However, cereals and grain legumes are strategic to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030 (SDG 2), ending extreme poverty (SDG 1), and mitigating the climate change effect (SDG 13). There remains an urgent need to embrace more sustainable measures to increase food production for the growing population. This review explores the role of agroecology which employs a transdisciplinary approach to sustainable agricultural practices to improve the resilience of farming systems by increasing diversification through poly-cropping, agroforestry, use of local varieties, and integrated crop and livestock systems. Furthermore, the agroecological farming approach minimizes water use, lowers pollution levels on the farm, and ensures economic profitability for the farmers. Thus, application of agroecology techniques among the smallholder farmers is strategic to ensuring food security.

Multirecycled polyfunctional biologics based on Bacillus subtilistogether with compost in potato organic farming

“…To protect plants from diseases and pests, only biologics are used [11] . It is biological plant protection that provides opportunities for sustainable organic agriculture, as it is an alternative to the use of chemicals with the advantages of wider application and reduced environmental impact [9,19] .…”

Synergistic interactions of nanoparticles and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhancing soil-plant systems: a multigenerational perspective

“…Agriculture systems and food have already experienced significant modifications, but additional research has to be done in light of the transforming global landscape ( Frona and Szenderák 2018 ; Kakaei et al., 2022 ). Land reforms, modified water management, stress-tolerant cultivars, increased fertilizer use, better seed, pesticide use, genetically modified crops, plant growth regulators, and soil amendments are some of the approaches used to improve soil quality and crop yields ( Urra et al., 2019 ; Abdul Aziz et al., 2022 ; Verma et al., 2022c ; Akanmu et al., 2023 ).…”

Influence of organic fertilization on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in Kabete and Mbooni areas, Kenya

“…In an era marked by growing global population and increased demands for agricultural produce, the imperative for sustainable practices cannot be overstated. Agroecosystem sustainability represents the linchpin upon which food security, environmental health, and economic viability hinge [ 58 , 59 ]. By focusing on the application of organic amendments and their influence on strawberry production, this study not only addresses the pressing issue of declining yields, but also contributes to the broader conversation on how sustainable agricultural practices can mitigate the adverse effects of soil degradation, chemical inputs, and environmental impacts.…”