Agroecological approach makes farmers wealthier, healthier, and more resilient

Belgium is supporting sustainable food systems in the South through an agroecological approach. For instance, coffee farmer Patrick from Uganda managed to more than double his harvest thanks to natural pest control and fertilisers.

When he took office in March 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maxime Prévot stated in Parliament: “Many of our partner countries have a sizeable agricultural sector. But it is vulnerable to climate change, and many countries still rely too heavily on imports of staple foods. This makes it crucial to support sustainable food systems. And in doing so, we must take into account climate sustainability and the agroecological transition.”

Holistic approach

So what exactly does an agroecological approach involve? Agroecology is a holistic approach that applies both ecological and social principles to sustainable food systems. In the South, it is still often seen as ‘traditional farming’, but agroecology is so much more than that. It blends traditional, local knowledge with new scientific insights.

Agroecology puts ecological principles front and centre. Picture a wide diversity of plants, trees, and animals living in maximum synergy, reducing pest pressure. Organic waste is reused as much as possible, whether for fertilisation, natural pest control or other purposes, which reduces the need for external inputs. The soil is optimally cared for.

At the same time, agroecology considers the wider context of the farmer and the community they live in. It strengthens social cohesion within communities, encourages farmers to share knowledge with one another, and gives small-scale farmers more autonomy and resilience in the face of external influences such as climate disruption and fluctuating market prices. It also aims for food production that is socially fair and economically viable.

Rising incomes

Research shows that farmers who adopt the agroecological approach see their income rise. This may be due to higher yields, especially when starting from depleted or heavily chemically treated systems. But mainly, they see their costs decrease due to lower input. By using natural fertilisers and local seeds and avoiding expensive pesticides, they end up with more money in their pockets.

The environmental benefits are not insignificant either: soils store more carbon, biodiversity increases, degraded land is restored, and ‘ecosystem services’ such as pollination, the water cycle, and disease control improve. Not to mention the health benefits for farming families who use little to no harmful pesticides.

Chemical companies

Chemical companies aiming to market their pesticides in the South often promise high yields. Some even claim that producing food without artificial fertilisers and pesticides is impossible. However, agroecological projects prove that is not true.

Moreover, these companies sometimes sell inferior products there. Farmers do not know how to measure the right dose or what safety precautions they should take. To be on the safe side, they tend to overuse the product. They do not wear face masks or long-sleeved shirts, which is of course detrimental to their health.

More than 100 coffee plants died

Things can be done differently, as shown by the story of coffee farmer Patrick in Uganda. He too was initially drawn to pesticides. The government handed them out for free, promising a good harvest, so why not give them a try? With seven children to support, he needed a stable income.

At first, the chemicals seemed to work well. “I didn’t have to weed as much and pests were less of a problem,” he says. “It made my work easier. But after a few years, I noticed the insects my coffee plants needed had disappeared. Although the first year’s harvest improved, things went downhill fast after that. The plants withered and the soil lost its vitality. In the end, more than 100 coffee plants died.”

The soil is rich and alive again

Due to the poor harvest, he did not have enough money to send his children to school. Fortunately, he came across COSIL, a partner organisation of the Belgian NGO Broederlijk Delen, that focuses on agroecology. “They told me that my problems were probably linked to the use of synthetic pesticides. During a training session, I learned how to make natural protective products, along with compost and liquid fertiliser. I planted new shrubs, and COSIL helped monitor my plantations. Now I can see the difference: the soil is rich and alive again, and the plants yield more each year. I used to harvest 5,000 kg of raw coffee, but now it’s already over 10,000 kg.”

More awareness needed

“The pesticides we receive for free have now been banned in Europe because they are harmful to health,” farmer Patrick adds. “There’s clearly a need for more awareness to persuade other farmers to opt for agroecological coffee farming.” And that would also benefit our daily cup of coffee.

All the more reason for Belgian Development Cooperation to strongly support the agroecological approach. Belgium is also a member of the Agroecology Coalition and the Group of Friends of Agroecology. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (see box) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) also promote the agroecological approach.