At the Nutrition For Growth Summit in Paris on March 27 and 28, AVSF is defending agroecology as a concrete, realistic solution. In 2023, approximately 733 million people worldwide suffered from hunger, representing 9.1% of the global population, equivalent to 1 in 11 people. More than 36 million children under the age of 5 suffer from acute malnutrition in 32 countries, while 148 million children under 5 experience stunted growth.
In every country across the world, malnutrition in all its forms—undernutrition, deficiencies, overweight, or obesity—remains a major challenge that impacts both public health and human development. In response to this urgent crisis, smallholder farmers agroecology provides an effective and sustainable solution. Here are five reasons why it should be integrated into national public policies to combat malnutrition and food insecurity.
1. Diversifying Diets and Ensuring Better Nutritional Quality
Agroecology promotes the diversity of crops (cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables) and livestock; it enhances the availability of varied foods rich in essential nutrients. Unlike monoculture and intensive livestock farming systems, agroecology fosters a more balanced and nutritious diet adapted to the needs of populations.
2. Increasing Resilience to Food Crises
In the context of climate change and multiple crises (droughts, conflicts, pandemics, etc.), agroecology reduces dependence on synthetic inputs and imports, making food systems more self-sufficient and resilient to shocks.
3. Promoting Access to Healthy and Local Food
By relying on family farming and shorter supply chains, agroecology improves access to nutritious and healthy food, particularly for the most vulnerable rural populations, who often suffer from food insecurity. Additionally, export value chains for agroecological and organic products (coffee, cocoa, fruits, spices, etc.) allow consumers worldwide to access high-quality, healthy food while supporting small-scale farmers, provided these value chains adhere to fair trade practices.
4. Protecting Soils and the Environment
Agroecological practices (crop rotation, integrated crop-livestock systems, agroforestry, soil conservation, biological pest control, etc.) help preserve ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and maintain fertile soils. Healthy soils, in turn, produce more nutritious food, contributing to the fight against nutritional deficiencies.
5. Empowering Small-Scale Farmers
By reducing reliance on expensive synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, agroecology strengthens the economic autonomy of smallholder farmers, enabling them to improve their incomes and secure sufficient food for their families.
Agroecology is not merely an alternative to intensive agricultural models—it is an essential strategy for ensuring food and nutrition security in a sustainable way. By producing food in harmony with nature and ensuring equitable access to healthy diets for all, agroecology contributes to building a fair, resilient, and sustainable food system.
This is why, contrary to the recent decision in France—where the very term “agroecology” was omitted from the newly adopted Agricultural Orientation Law—it is crucial to integrate and strengthen support for smallholder farmers agroecology in public policies worldwide.
Some emblematic AVSF actions
GUATEMALA – MIA Project (Markets and Agroecological Intensification): Q’eqchi’ and K’iché’ Farmer Organizations Active in Markets
Developing agroecological value chains and diversifying local and international remunerative markets for over 600 Q’eqchi’ indigenous producers (25% youth, 40% women) in coffee, cocoa, vegetable crops, and livestock. This project helps adapt to climate change and preserve biodiversity.
HAITI – PROSISAR Project (Promotion of Agricultural Value Chains for Food Security and Farmer Income Improvement): Combating Food Insecurity in the Central Plateau (in collaboration with the Haitian Peasant Movement of Papaye – MPP)
Supporting 1,444 rural households in the communes of Mirebalais, Hinche, Maïssade, and Cerca-la-Source to improve the productivity of key agricultural value chains (corn, beans, cassava, vegetables, sugarcane), enhance agricultural product processing, and diversify income sources.
MADAGASCAR – FIOVANA Project: Access to Quality Nutrition in Southeastern Madagascar
Supporting over 1,000 producers and their organizations in developing local and export-oriented agricultural value chains: poultry, small ruminants, beekeeping, fish farming, vegetable production, exotic fruits, vanilla, etc. The project aims to enhance food and nutrition security as well as the resilience of extremely poor and chronically vulnerable households in the Manakara region.
MADAGASCAR – TAMBATRA Project: Combating Child Malnutrition in the Malagasy Highlands (led by the AVSF-Gret Alliance)
Reducing child malnutrition by improving agroecological production of a diverse, nutrient-rich diet and enhancing food and nutrition security in 22 rural districts (Fokontany) in the communes of Fiaferana, Manandriana, and Vilihazo, located in peri-urban areas of Antananarivo. The project also facilitates short distribution circuits, notably through school canteens.
SENEGAL – NIAMDE Project: Short Supply Chains and School Canteens (led in collaboration with the Senegalese NGO CICODEV and GRDR)
Enhancing food security and learning conditions for 9,000 children in 54 school canteens across nine vulnerable districts that source food from short supply chains. Supporting the economic recovery of 20 agrifood enterprises and cooperatives within the food system of the Linguère, Ranérou, Kolda, and Vélingara departments.
