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Info Service on Sustainable Agriculture Cross-Country Study in Africa Shows Multidimensional Benefits of Agroecology One of the core features that sets agroecology apart from other forms of sustainable agriculture is its holistic approach in simultaneously addressing multidimensional aspects of food systems. A recent study evaluating 839 farming households in Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya and Madagascar found evidence of such multidimensional benefits of agroecological integration. The results of the study highlight the potential of agroecology to enhance productivity, income, soil health, agrobiodiversity, food security and women’s empowerment. They show that the environmental benefits of agroecology do not come at the cost of reduced productivity and profitability and suggest that agroecology can significantly contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Sociocultural elements, including human and social values, culture and food traditions and knowledge co-creation, emerged as key drivers of agroecological transitions and multidimensional performance. With
best wishes, ______________________________________________________________________ AGROECOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE ON MULTIDIMENSIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY TAPE ASSESSMENT IN AFRICA Beatrice
Adoyo et al. ABSTRACT Introduction: Agroecology is increasingly recognized as a pathway for transforming agrifood systems and advancing progress toward the SDGs. Yet, large-scale, cross-context evidence on its multidimensional performance as framed holistically by the FAO’s 10 Elements remains limited. Methods: The Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) and the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF) were applied on 839 farming households in Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Madagascar. Correlation analysis was used to quantify relationship between agroecological integration and multidimensional performance key drivers were identified through regression analysis. Results and Discussion: Higher levels of agroecological integration are significantly positively correlated with higher performance across economic, environmental and social domains. This implies that the environmental benefits of agroecology do not come at the cost of reduced productivity and profitability and suggests that agroecology significantly contributes to sustainable development in Africa. Sociocultural Elements of Agroecology, including human and social values, culture and food traditions, and knowledge co-creation, emerged as key drivers of agroecological transitions and multidimensional performance. However, barriers remain, such as high input costs, insecure land tenure (particularly for women), and low youth engagement in farming. The study emphasizes the need for enabling policies that support agroecological business models, secure tenure rights, and foster equitable, labor-saving innovations. By providing multi-country evidence, it underscores the value of systemic, holistic food system assessments to guide agroecological transitions. CONCLUSION This study provides cross-country evidence on the multidimensional benefits of agroecological integration, highlighting its potential to enhance productivity, income, soil health, agrobiodiversity, and food security, and women’s empowerment. By combining TAPE and LDSF, we demonstrate that laboratory-based soil analyses complement qualitative assessments by detecting gradual changes in soil chemistry that are not otherwise possible through qualitative assessments. This underscores the value of integrating both approaches. While improvements in biophysical soil attributes are evident, gains in physicochemical properties such as SOC and nitrogen emerge only with sustained, long-term implementation. Unlike the narrow focus on isolated practices such as diversification and recycling, agroecological integration benefits most from a systemic and synergistic interaction of multiple dimensions. In particular, the social aspects that are rooted in culture and food traditions, human and social values, and the co-creation and sharing of knowledge emerge as critical drivers shaping farmers’ integration of other agroecological elements. For food system transitions to succeed, interventions must therefore be culturally grounded, co-created with producers, and tailored to societal needs. Despite clear benefits, challenges remain. The higher costs of ecological inputs, labor demands, and insecure tenure can limit adoption, particularly for youth who often perceive agroecological farming as risky and economically unattractive. Addressing these barriers will require supportive policies that make ecological inputs affordable, secure land rights, and invest in labor-saving innovations. Re-engaging youth will also necessitate balancing immediate economic needs with long-term ecological benefits. Overall, the evidence underscores that agroecology is not just a set of practices but a systemic approach that combines ecological, social, and cultural dimensions. A holistic assessment of food systems is therefore essential for effectively evaluating performance and guiding data-driven decisions on food system transitions.
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