What types of markets to support agroecology? Reflections from the FAO agroecology symposia

摘要

Since 2014, FAO has opened a neutral space of dialogue to discuss agroecology at global and regional levels. The need to consider the market factors that could facilitate the adoption of agroecological practices emerged during these discussions. Fooddistribution, sales, marketing and market supply chain relationships are important drivers of farmers' decisions and actions. They need to be considered and addressed in any attempt to scale up or broaden the adoption of agroecological practices. This paper summarizes the main points related to markets for products of agroecology that have emerged out of the discussions organized by FAO these two last years. It first recalls the main characteristics of agroecology and the increasing interest for it, both from civil society and, more recently, from governments. It then identifies specificities of markets for products from agroecological systems, potential challenges and opportunities. It focuses on four institutional and organizational mechanisms that support markets for agroecology: strengthened producers' organizations, public procurement, Participatory Guarantee Systems and community-supported agriculture. The paper concludes with the importance of pluridisciplinary research to better understand and strengthen the links between agroecological production systems and market-related mechanisms.