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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the most water-scarce region in the world. Recent research suggests that agroecology could be a basis for sustainable agriculture. We assess the spread of agroecology in the region and explore the prospect of self-organization among farming communities as an indicator for self-determination of the farming system. The focus is on Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. We present empirical data and propose an analytical framework for capturing the conditions for self-organizing arrangements in a transition to agroecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecology refers to the greening of agrosystems with the mobilization of ecosystem services in order to limit exogenous inputs, enhance biodiversity and moderate the exploitation of natural resources. Agroecological practices offer pathways for transformation and transition not only of agricultural systems but of entire food systems. Through its objectives, agroecology aims at both sustainable land management and the strengthening of the livelihoods of producers and rural people and thus contributes to the fight against desertification. Currently, there is little scientific literature on the characteristics of agroecology in the Maghreb region. Several studies provide important information but they do not allow drawing up a global panorama of agroecology in the region. The proposed article highlights general characteristics of agroecology in North Africa from a review of 88 sustainable agriculture projects, which it analyzes, through an inventory of agroecological practices supported by these projects, from the frameworks of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, 2019, on the principles of agroecology and the transition levels approach developed by Gliessman and fellows since 2007. The results show (i) differences in the observed practices depending on the agrosystems and (ii) predominant common practices across these diverse agrosystems; (iii) significant evolution in these practices over time. The majority of the agroecological innovations identified are at the plot and farm scales, with the exception of those found in oasis and mountain agrosystems, where practices integrate the scales of the territory and value chains in a more complete way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article shows the result of the research developed at the CCS Ángel Bouza, Manuel Tames municipality, related to the use of agroecological practices to conserve and improve productive systems, especially mango cultivation, for which the objective is to assess the effect of the implementation of agroecological practices by women from the Palmar community to promote mango cultivation in the CCS Ángel Bouza. With a predominance of a qualitative approach, various methods and techniques such as document review, participant observation, interviews, questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to collect and process information. The proposed action plan contributes to community participation, to the knowledge and increase of various practices used by women producers, to the socialization of the results achieved, as well as the awareness of the rest of the associates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out with the objective of characterizing the production of Solanum tuberosum L. in an agroecological context in seven family farms in Jovellanos municipality, Matanzas province. The Principal Component Analysis was carried out to determine the variables that showed more variability and, on that basis, the farms were grouped by means of the Conglomerate Analysis. Morphological, agronomic and management variables (soil type, amount of irrigation and application of organic matter) were studied. High accumulated variability was found in the first five components, which explained 93.9 % of the variance. Yields varied between 6 and 17 t ha-1, the tuber had 20.9 % of dry matter. Four groups were formed, one of them represented by a single farm, which showed the best results in the productive behavior of this species. The inclusion of Solanum tuberosum L. in the crop rotation of small producers in Jovellanos municipality is a viable and sustainable option, which contributes to the food security of the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Agricultural intensification and expansion are the main drivers of biodiversity loss that continue to increase this century, especially in South America. International markets and global policy provide incentives and frameworks to address this, but these are unlikely to be effective unless farmers on the ground are enabled and motivated to respond to them by developing long‐term solutions that fit their production systems and local contexts. Here, we use a multi‐actor transdisciplinary approach to co‐design and test agroecological innovations suitable for intensive, exporting South American fruit farms. We focus on highly biodiverse regions experiencing habitat loss in the Mediterranean and dry tropical forest regions of Chile and Brazil, respectively. The innovations were designed to support local biodiversity without compromising productivity or quality. Fourteen farmers participated throughout the project, covering a total of 4178 ha of intensive table grape, mango and cherry production. All were under pressure from buyers to report action on biodiversity. Farmers worked with researchers and industry representatives through an iterative process of dialogues and workshops to select, co‐design and implement three agroecological innovations: perches for birds of prey, cover crops and native hedgerows. Farmers became engaged in monitoring their effectiveness and redesigning them to suit local contexts. We develop an extensive set of resources for ongoing dissemination, including an online sustainability metric to report the practices carried out. Eight farms continued to implement at least one agroecological innovation beyond the end of the project, motivated by its fit to their management system and their ability to report positive actions in their supply chains. Policy implications. Our model of knowledge co‐production demonstrates how transdisciplinary research in agriculture, fully localised in a particular food‐producing context, can enable farmers in the global South to engage with biodiversity conservation in response to top‐down market signals incentivising sustainability. We argue that many top‐down efforts to enhance the sustainability of food supply chains, whether through market incentives, voluntary codes or trade regulations, require locally based knowledge co‐production, in which multiple stakeholders from agriculture and the food industry can benefit from working with locally based researchers. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Agroecology is identified as an important solution to increase the sustainability of agricultural and food systems. Despite the increasing number of publications assessing the socio-economic outcomes of agroecology, very few studies have consolidated the scattered results obtained on various case studies. This paper provides new insights by consolidating evidence on the varied socio-economic effects of agroecology across a large number of cases at a global level. To this purpose, we used a rapid review methodology, screening more than 13,000 publications to retrieve evidence on the socio-economic outcomes of the implementation of agroecological practices. The results of the review indicate that (1) agroecological practices are associated more often with positive socio-economic outcomes across the broad range of evaluated metrics (51% positive, 30% negative, 10% neutral, and 9% inconclusive outcomes); (2) the socio-economic metrics associated with financial capital represent the vast majority of evaluated metrics (83% of total) and are affected positively in a large share of cases (53%), due to favourable outcomes on income, revenues, productivity and efficiency; (3) human capital metrics (16%) are associated with a larger number of negative outcomes (46% versus 38% positive), due to higher labour requirements and costs that are however partly compensated by an overall greater number of positive outcomes on labour productivity (55%); and (4) the results vary depending on the agroecological practice assessed; e.g. for agroforestry, we identify 53% positive outcomes while for cropping system diversification 35%. These results indicate an overall favourable potential for farms to benefit from a positive socio-economic performance with the use of agroecological practices. Yet, the magnitude, temporal aspects, and success factors related to these outcomes, as well as the trade-offs between them, and the system-level effects of an agroecological transition are to be further assessed, since they can have an important influence on the performance of individual farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of People & Nature is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Conventional agricultural techniques cannot fulfill the requirements of a sustainable food value chain. Agroecology can be a great alternative practice for transforming the current agricultural systems. This approach combines ecology and agriculture, considering different stakeholders' opinions. An assessment of the current literature about "agroecology practices" using the Web of Science database was made, and 1235 results were collected and unified into a bibtex file using R studio. The final results were extracted through the bibliometix library. The acquired results show that annual scientific production on the aforementioned term was limited between the 1990s and 2010s and has recently increased due to increased interest in the topic. Additionally, the terms "agriculture", "management biodiversity", and "conservation" are frequently correlated with agroecology, covering all three dimensions of sustainability. Agroecology as a trending topic has great potential to serve North African countries, increasing food security levels while assuring sustainability standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Highlight discussing: Heinen, J.; Dominguez, V.; Aguilera, G.; Malsher, G.; Vesterinen, E.; Roslin, T.; Bommarco, R.; Bartomeus, I. (2024). Diversified cropping strengthens herbivore regulation by providing seasonal resource continuity to predators. Journal of Applied Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2664.14674. Crop monocultures consist of homogenous agroecosystems highly dependent on pesticides for pest regulation and mineral fertilisation for maintaining plant nutrition, representing the least resilient system. Agricultural diversification practices can increase heterogeneity in agroecosystems, resulting in greater richness of arthropod predators and enhanced ecological services. Among natural enemies of pests, generalist predators are important for pest regulation as they prey on diverse arthropod pests and be present throughout the season. However, since they consume other predators (intraguild predation) and soil fauna, it is uncertain whether enhanced richness of generalist predators translates into improved pest regulation. The study by Heinen et al. examined how diversified crop rotation and organic fertilisation influenced predator–prey interactions throughout the cropping cycle in cereal fields. The predators' diet preference shifted over the growing season, indicating that soil fauna is an important resource for recruitment and maintenance of predators early in the season. Although intraguild predation was considerably high, it decreased across the season in fields with the greatest level of diversification, where predation of pests remained stable. This study demonstrated how diversified cropping is important for providing resource continuity with alternative prey (soil fauna and predators) over crop‐growing season, enhancing predator richness and herbivore regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecology refers to the greening of agrosystems with the mobilization of ecosystem services in order to limit exogenous inputs, enhance biodiversity and moderate the exploitation of natural resources. Agroecological practices offer pathways for transformation and transition not only of agricultural systems but of entire food systems. Through its objectives, agroecology aims at both sustainable land management and the strengthening of the livelihoods of producers and rural people and thus contributes to the fight against desertification. Currently, there is little scientific literature on the characteristics of agroecology in the Maghreb region. Several studies provide important information but they do not allow drawing up a global panorama of agroecology in the region. The proposed article highlights general characteristics of agroecology in North Africa from a review of 88 sustainable agriculture projects, which it analyzes, through an inventory of agroecological practices supported by these projects, from the frameworks of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, 2019, on the principles of agroecology and the transition levels approach developed by Gliessman and fellows since 2007. The results show (i) differences in the observed practices depending on the agrosystems and (ii) predominant common practices across these diverse agrosystems; (iii) significant evolution in these practices over time. The majority of the agroecological innovations identified are at the plot and farm scales, with the exception of those found in oasis and mountain agrosystems, where practices integrate the scales of the territory and value chains in a more complete way.

RÉSUMÉ La dynamique d'occupation des terres constitue un préalable pour l'identification des contraintes de gestion des ressources naturelles, l'évolution de pratiques agraires et la croissance démographique. L'objectif de cette recherche est d'améliorer les connaissances sur la dynamique d'occupation des terres agricoles dans les zones de cultures sèches (Cinzana) et cotonnière (Kléla) au Mali. La méthodologie utilisée a consisté à la collecte des données planimétriques et à l'analyse diachronique à travers des images satellitaires Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) de 2000 et OLI (Operational Land Image) de 2020. Les taux de dégradation et de déforestation des formations naturelles ont été calculés d'une part et d'autre part la vitesse et l'intensité des changements ont été évaluées à l'aide des programmes « Pontius matrix 22 et intensity analysis » à partir de la matrice de transition. Les résultats de l'analyse diachronique ont révélé une nette augmentation des superficies des formations anthropiques, notamment celles des champs et jachères au détriment des formations naturelles. Cela s'est manifesté à Cinzana par une augmentation globale des superficies des formations anthropiques de 45% (soit 2,30% par an), et une réduction globale de 45,15% (2,26% par an) des superficies des unités naturelles ; à Kléla par une progression globale de 131% (soit 6,54%/an) des champs et jachères au détriment des formations naturelles qui ont subi une réduction de 95% (soit 4,76% par an) entre 2000 et 2020. En somme, l'évolution des unités paysagères dans la zone de recherche entre 2000 et 2020 présage une anthropisation à outrance des formations naturelles, ce qui pourrait compromettre la durabilité de ces formations, avec un risque de perte des services écosystémiques et de la productivité agricole. L'étude recommande l'utilisation des pratiques agroécologiques, la facilitation de l'accès aux technologies agricoles, aux services d'encadrement dans une perspective d'intensification agricole. Les mesures politiques dans le sens d'une transition agroécologique doivent être encouragées. Land use dynamics is a prerequisite for identifying natural resource management constraints, the evolution of agrarian practices and population growth. The objective of this research is to improve knowledge of the dynamics of agricultural land use in the dryland (Cinzana) and cotton (Kléla) areas of Mali. The methodology used consisted of planimetric data collection and diachronic analysis using Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) satellite images from 2000 and OLI (Operational Land Image) from 2020. Degradation and deforestation rates of natural formations were calculated on the one hand, and on the other hand, the speed and intensity of changes were evaluated using the Pontius matrix22 and intensity analysis programs from the transition matrix. The results of the diachronic analysis revealed a clear increase in the area of anthropogenic formations, especially fields and fallow land, at the expense of natural formations. In Cinzana, this was reflected in an overall increase in the area of anthropogenic formations of 45% (i.e. 2.30% per year) and an overall reduction of 45.15% (2.26% per year) in the area of natural units. In Kléla, there was an overall increase of 131% (i.e. 6.54% per year) in the area of fields and fallow land to the detriment of natural formations, which underwent a reduction of 95% (i.e. 4.76% per year) between 2000 and 2020. Definitely, the evolution of landscape units in the research area between 2000 and 2020 points to excessive anthropization of natural formations, which could compromise the sustainability of these formations, with a risk to ecosystem services and agricultural productivity lost. The study recommends the use of agro-ecological practices, and the facilitation of access to agricultural technologies and support services with a view to agricultural intensification. Policy measures to promote an agro-ecological transition should be encouraged. Graphic Abstract MOTS CLÉS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith, is a worldwide invasive pest of maize, but also damages sweet corn, rice, and sorghum. This pest originates from the Americas and spread to Africa, Asia, and Australia, with more than 80 countries. Pesticidal management practices always get a priority for the immediate intervention of this pest. These practices are against the environment, biodiversity, and human health. Hence efforts are interestingly growing to develop agroecological strategies for fall armyworm management. This review is focused on diagnosing the various agroecological practices that apply to the sustainable management of fall armyworms. The most common pest management practices that are popular among smallholder farmers are intercropping, push-pull systems, crop rotations, mulching, cultural practices, use local pesticidal plants, habitat diversification, soil nutrient management, and many more. Intercropping including push-pull farming systems with leguminous crops reduces the number of fall armyworm eggs by increasing the biological control (BC) activities and inhibits the movement of pest larvae. Mulching on the soil ameliorates soil microclimate and improves plant health. Habitat diversification improves the quality of farms and improve BC activities by providing shelter, nectar, alternative food, and pollen to the pest's natural enemies. Similarly, local pesticide plants could be a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Hence, agroecological practices for pest management improve a balanced environment, regulate natural pests, reduce inputs, diversify the agroecosystem, improve biologically mediated soil fertility, increase yields, and finally improve ecosystem services. These practices must be promoted to replace agricultural intensification with sustainable intensification in maize fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simplification of the landscape as a consequence of the decrease in biodiversity and the adoption of monoculture production systems has led to a significant decrease in the provision of ecosystem services in the territory. The conversion of agroecosystems requires the adoption of agroecological techniques, which aim to design the agroecosystem as an integrated part of a vegetation matrix of the landscape, interconnecting the different production systems with the agricultural landscape. In order to measure the degree of connectivity of agroecosystems with the landscape, we used the Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) method, which was applied to 36 small agroecosystems of vegetable, livestock and fruit producers, which generally presented a low degree of connectivity. This allows us to evaluate the potential of these systems for agroecological transition, since being present in a moderately complex agricultural landscape gives important advantages over a more simplified system, allowing these producers to dispense with the use of many energy subsidies. This evaluation allows a first approximation to the quantification of the landscape matrix and will allow a comparison between agroecosystems or an evaluation of the evolution of the MAS over time. It is necessary to complement the MAS by quantifying the ecosystem services that may be associated with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simplification of the landscape as a consequence of the decrease in biodiversity and the adoption of monoculture production systems has led to a significant decrease in the provision of ecosystem services in the territory. The conversion of agroecosystems requires the adoption of agroecological techniques, which aim to design the agroecosystem as an integrated part of a vegetation matrix of the landscape, interconnecting the different production systems with the agricultural landscape. In order to measure the degree of connectivity of agroecosystems with the landscape, we used the Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) method, which was applied to 36 small agroecosystems of vegetable, livestock and fruit producers, which generally presented a low degree of connectivity. This allows us to evaluate the potential of these systems for agroecological transition, since being present in a moderately complex agricultural landscape gives important advantages over a more simplified system, allowing these producers to dispense with the use of many energy subsidies. This evaluation allows a first approximation to the quantification of the landscape matrix and will allow a comparison between agroecosystems or an evaluation of the evolution of the MAS over time. It is necessary to complement the MAS by quantifying the ecosystem services that may be associated with it.

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage that must be produced exclusively from the species Agave tequilana Weber var. azul (blue) and only in regions with certification of origin within Mexico. The "Tequila Boom" began in 1992, making it a popular beverage in several countries, including Mexico. This boosted exports, production, and the expansion of blue agave plantation areas, which had negative social, economic, and environmental consequences in producing regions and for agave farmers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of sustainability of the Agave tequilana crop in two types of agroecosystems: monoculture and polyculture. The research hypothesis was that the A. tequilana polyculture agroecosystem is more sustainable than monoculture. A random sample of agave farmers from the municipality of Tequila, Jalisco, was surveyed and distributed equally: 25 agave farmers who practice monoculture and 25 who practice polyculture. The methodology was based on and adapted from the Framework for the Evaluation of the Natural Resource Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indices (MESMIS), which was used to create a Composite Sustainability Indicator for A. tequilana (ICSAT) to compare both agroecosystems. The results show that polyculture is more sustainable than monoculture in 13 of the 15 indicators evaluated. Polyculture displayed a sustainability level of 77.06 % in the Composite Sustainability Indicator, whereas monoculture had 58.43 %. Our conclusion is that the evaluation of sustainability helped to determine that the Agave tequilana polyculture agroecosystem is more sustainable than monoculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting well-functioning ecosystems that maintain the sustainability of agricultural systems in response to climate change remains a major challenge in North Africa. Agroecological practices have the potential to serve as an alternative to chemicals. However, there are gaps in our knowledge regarding these practices in North Africa that need to be addressed to better adopt them on farms. Therefore, we reviewed the current state of knowledge on agroecology and research on agroecological practices in the North African region. Furthermore, the benefits, challenges, and future opportunities of adopting agroecological practices for sustainable agriculture are discussed. Scientific research on agroecological practices in North Africa is not evenly distributed, with particular emphasis on wheat cultivation. Crop diversification has been most frequently studied in Egypt. Direct seeding technology has been concentrated in Morocco and Tunisia. Allelopathic extracts have not been extensively studied in the North African farming systems. However, research on these practices is weaker, especially under the conditions of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Overall, the findings of this review are encouraging and should motivate agroecologists to conduct more mechanistic and in-depth experiments to advance the chances of developing effective programs that combine different agroecological practices to better utilize natural resources and improve crop yields without harming the environment or human and animal health. To better implement agroecology in North African farming systems, local scientific research and progress must be accompanied by excessive policy changes, wider awareness, and the transmission of agroecological knowledge to farmer profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education The national gerofarms program, conceived as a care system for the elderly of the National Institute of Social Service (INASS), incorporates agricultural activities in an organized manner, allowing the strengthening of community work capacities, as well as the generation of food in the spaces of the residential social centers (geriatrics). For the consolidation of food sovereignty in gerofarms, it is necessary to harmonize agricultural practices with ecological principles. That is why, the planting of polyculture of traditional items such as cassava, legumes and cucurbits, as well as the production of substitute flours of high nutritional value with the use of sustainable technologies, make up the pertinent interactions that could underpin the sustainability of said spaces. in stable and lasting socio-productive forms. The Institute of Advanced Study Foundation (IDEA) developed and supported this initiative at the “Cristina Reverón Pacheco” Residential Social Service Center (CSSCRP) of INASS, in Turmero Aragua state, Venezuela, for agroecological production and the substantial improvement of the diet of grandparents and grandmothers in said institution. Due to the national food crisis at that time, the initial objectives were expanded to turn the CSSCRP into a local seed propagation pilot center and food producer for the neighbors, as well as a multiplier of knowledge and training in agroecological practices. In this article we want to capture our experience in the first years of this project (2018-2019) and show its preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of excessive chemicals in agriculture can cause harm to the environment and human health. Sustainable agriculture systems promote agroecological practices to reduce chemical use and promote environmental and human health. However, there is a lack of data on the status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which is a significant national vegetable production area. To address this gap, we conducted cross-sectional surveys with 603 farmers to analyze their practices, behaviors, and knowledge regarding chemical and bio-product use, as well as the risks to crops, health, and the environment. Additionally, we aimed to diagnose the diffusion of agroecological practices and identify the most relevant obstacles and motivations for adoption. Our results indicate that a majority of farmers (95%) use chemicals throughout the production process but lack a good understanding of their use and associated risks. However, farmers do have access to alternative practices such as crop rotation (99.67%), manure (96.35%), drip irrigation (74.46%), and intercropping (69%). The success of these practices among farmers was a significant motivation for their adoption (50%), whereas the difficulties of managing pests and diseases without pesticides (73.2%) and the lack of technical advice and support (70.8%) were the main barriers to adoption. In conclusion, our study highlights the need for training and financial encouragement from the state to promote healthy and eco-friendly farming practices. This research provides valuable insights into the current status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which can inform policy decisions and promote sustainable agriculture practices for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the impact of different agroecological practices on the composition and diversity of edaphic bacterial and fungal communities. We designed two experimental agroecological vegetable cropping systems and analyzed their effects on soil microbial communities by pyrosequencing the 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes. Our results highlighted modifications to the Operational Taxonomic Units in both experimental systems compared with bare soil, particularly for the phyla Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, Bacteroidetes, and Mucoromycota. Multidimensional scaling plots based on beta diversity showed a clear distinction between the two experimental systems for fungi, whereas differences were observed between bare soil and the two experimental systems for bacteria. Overall, the agroecological systems enhanced soil microbial diversity. We showed a distinction between the two experimental systems and bare soil, correlated with the high total N and total P contents in the agroecological systems. Both experimental systems promoted soil enrichment with certain essential minerals. The agroecological systems had a positive impact on soil microbial communities, particularly by promoting the development of beneficial soil bacteria like Actinobacteria. In the two experimental systems, changes in the quality and quantity of organic matter (i.e. mulch, vermicompost, plant diversity) could have modified the abundance and diversity of microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional agricultural techniques cannot fulfill the requirements of a sustainable food value chain. Agroecology can be a great alternative practice for transforming the current agricultural systems. This approach combines ecology and agriculture, considering different stakeholders’ opinions. An assessment of the current literature about “agroecology practices” using the Web of Science database was made, and 1235 results were collected and unified into a bibtex file using R studio. The final results were extracted through the bibliometix library. The acquired results show that annual scientific production on the aforementioned term was limited between the 1990s and 2010s and has recently increased due to increased interest in the topic. Additionally, the terms “agriculture”, “management biodiversity”, and “conservation” are frequently correlated with agroecology, covering all three dimensions of sustainability. Agroecology as a trending topic has great potential to serve North African countries, increasing food security levels while assuring sustainability standards.

Weeds have always been considered an insidious enemy, capable of reducing crop production. Conversely, the agroecological vision attributes a key role to the spontaneous flora in promoting plant diversity and belowground interactions, which may improve the ecological performance of agroecosystems. We summarized the literature on the weeds' arbuscular–mycorrhizae (AM) interaction and we analyzed evidence on the: (i) AM suppressive/selective effect on weed communities; (ii) effect of weeds on AM colonization, and (iii) positive role of AM-supporting weeds on forming shared mycorrhizal hyphal connections in agroecosystems. While some authors conceptualized AM as a weed control tool, others underlined their selective effect on weed communities. Recent studies suggest that AM-host weeds can participate in the development of a common mycorrhizal mycelial network (MMN) among different plants species. Nevertheless, direct evidence of the actual exchange of nutrients and C between coexisting plants through MMN in agroecosystems is missing. Although the effect of agricultural practices on plant community-AM interactions are complex, more conservative farming management seems to foster AM populations. Future studies should focus on: (i) field studies, (ii) weed communities and their traits, rather than on the most abundant species, and (iii) the use of advanced analytical techniques, able to monitor MMN development and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During agroecological transition, farmers test and adjust new cropping practices that can enhance the ecosystem services of their agrosystems. Supporting farmers to change their practices requires a description and understanding of the step-by-step design of innovations, and the learning processes that unfold with the farmers' actions. Our research focuses on the re-introduction of horse-drawn tillage in viticulture, during on-farm experimentation involving the collaboration of a service provider. Our objective is to show how our research approach, based on the use of videos, allows us to access, characterize, and share the knowledge embodied and mobilized in situ by the service providers, considered here as farmers. To do so, we mobilized the methods of the course-of-action research program. First, we filmed the hilling operations performed by two service providers on thirteen plots. We then conducted self-confrontation interviews to highlight their implicit and invisible activity. Next, we conducted an allo-confrontation interview with a third service provider to validate/invalidate and complete the knowledge mobilized during the hilling activity. Finally, through a comparative analysis, we developed a first provisional qualitative modeling of the hilling activity. We thus show that the equine traction service providers used not only visual cues but also sound, tactile, and relational cues with the horse, to adjust their practices; and we illustrate the advantages of using videos to decompose the individual activity of service providers, to then share and compare this activity with those of peers, and, finally, to recompose the hilling activity in a qualitative model by identifying key dimensions structuring the activity. The use of digital technology makes it possible to construct data on farmers' learning processes as they change their practice to support agroecological innovations. The material produced and the insights gained can contribute to the building of digital resource banks that are valuable tools for training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing resilience of agroecosystems of Mediterranean area is a challenge that involves both researchers and different stakeholders and, in this context, increasing crop diversity by redesigning agricultural systems can be considered among the most important tools. Therefore, the response of agroecological practices to climate change effects was tested in a long-term experiment on organic horticultural crops (MITIORG), which is characterized by a soil hydraulic arrangement in ridges, strips and the use (with different management options) of cover crops within cash crops rotations. The main objective of this study was to show how powerful is the sustainability assessment of agroecological practices by converting crops yield and biomass into energy outputs and carbon storages, in diversified horticultural systems. The obtained outputs (expressed in energy and carbon equivalents) were evaluated and analyzed considering the site-specific meteorological data in more than 10 horticultural cropping cycles, from autumn-winter 2014–15 to autumn-winter 2020–21. The Ridge and Strips (RS) system 1 (RS1 - cover crops as living mulch on ridges and break crops in strips, both with no-till termination) showed an enhancement of about 18 % of energy output and carbon (C) storages compared to RS2 (ridges and strips with green manured cover) when extreme precipitation events occurred. Moreover, RS3 (ridges and strips without cover crops) recorded a reduction of about 5 and 9 % of energy output and C storage, respectively, compared to the mean of RS1 and RS2 in periods with extreme events. Our results highlighted that using more diversified agroecological systems improved their overall average outputs, ensuring greater resilience during extreme weather events, since at least part of crop productions was safeguarded. Therefore, it is important to combine techniques that allow long-term resilience, such as choosing and well managing cover crops (agroecological service crops), according to site and systems specific conditions. [Display omitted] • Agroecological practices response to climate change was tested in an organic long-term experiment named MITIORG. • Sustainability was assessed considering energy outputs and carbon storages in diversified horticultural systems. • The outputs of more than 10 horticultural cropping cycles were analyzed considering the site-specific meteorological data. • The best results were obtained by more diversified agroecological systems in relation to extreme rainfall events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Guadeloupe, a French overseas region, civil society is calling for an agroecological transition (AET) to obtain access to healthy agricultural products following a major ecological scandal caused by a persistent pesticide that contaminated water and agricultural soils. To support such a transition, we tested a five-step methodological framework designed to enable farmers to describe and explore scenarios in farming systems, socio-technical systems, and social-ecological systems. This is one of the first operational methodological tools to build scenarios and action plans for an AET taking into account simultaneous changes in these three systems. We first surveyed 63 farmers and positioned their farming systems along an AET gradient using the Efficiency-Substitution-Redesign framework. In the second step, a sub-sample of 18 farmers, who represented diverse farming system types, individually defined AET scenarios at the level of their own farms. We then applied a farm simulation model to evaluate the technical and economic performance of each scenario. The third step involved analyzing the types of social networks used by 45 farmers to share information and promote technical, commercial, and social exchanges to implement agroecological practices in their territory. In the fourth step, we worked with a group of 15 farmers and 10 researchers in a participatory workshop to characterize the natural resources, their associated services and disservices, and the actors involved. In the last step, the farmers and researchers defined an action plan for the AET in their territory. Our results suggest that AET is understood by farmers to be a gradual and multiscale process involving the co-creation of knowledge, technical solutions, and organizational changes. An initial outcome of the process tested was a shift in the stance of researchers. Their focus shifted from experiments conducted on-station toward experiments managed by farmers to co-produce knowledge on the viability of agroecological practices under their own specific conditions, triggering discussions between stakeholders (such as advisers, policy makers, smallholders, and larger farmers) in the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest among farmers and consumers in increasing production and consumption of grain legumes in Sweden. This requires better knowledge among farmers and advisors about suitable species, varieties and management practices for different conditions. Since cultivar suitability and management practices are highly site-specific, farmers need to gain their own experience of new crops and practices. This paper describes a farmer–researcher collaboration in which cultivation of grain legumes for food was investigated in on-farm experiments designed, managed and evaluated jointly by a group of farmers and researchers. Farmers tested innovative practices using within-field species diversity, comparative performance of varieties and methods for weed control. Post-harvest steps such as cleaning and selling the crops were considered by farmers to be integral components of the experiments. The process generated different types of knowledge, including practical knowledge on crop management, strategic knowledge on economic sustainability and knowledge about joint learning through collaboration. The on-farm experiments combined advantages of 'pure' farmer experiments (i.e., context specificity) and 'pure' researcher experiments (i.e., scientific inquiry), facilitating deeper analysis and understanding of outcomes. This enabled efficient knowledge building, adoption of new crops and innovative practices and stimulated further experimentation. The outcomes of this study are that farmer–researcher collaborations using on-farm experiments can stimulate collective learning by stimulating the exchange between participants and combining complementary perspectives throughout the experimentation process. The study also provides recommendations for facilitating on-farm experiments in future work, for instance using collective settings to evaluate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public policy reforms and consumer requirements for the environment have raised awareness among winegrowers of the need to review their farming practices. This renewal of production aims for high economic, environmental, and social performance, as well as product quality. Therefore, it often assumes changes in farming practices due to adoption of agroecological practices (AEP). However, adopting these changes depends not only on demonstrating positive economic and environmental impacts of AEP but also positive social impacts. This study investigated winegrowers' perceptions of AEP and analyzed the most important drivers of adoption of AEP. It was based on quantitative economic and sociological data from a survey of winegrowers in the Loire Valley (France). An original scoring method was used to identify adopters and non-adopters of AEP. Then, a logit econometric model was used to explore statistically significant relations between the adoption of AEP and internal and external farm variables. Results confirmed that winegrowers' perceptions converged with the results of the econometric analysis. AEP were adopted mainly by winegrowers sensitive to human health. Adoption also depended on the context and type of AEP: wine tourism activities on the farm, environmental training, and sales revenue were positively correlated with the adoption of AEP. However, the absence of partners, vineyard area and winemaking on the farm were negatively correlated with adoption. Thus, public and private agricultural actors should consider these influential factors to increase adoption of AEP by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyses the potential of agroecological practices in agricultural land use to ensure increased sustainability of the agri-food system. Conventional agricultural practices are perceived to have an increasingly negative impact on land use, necessitating the adoption of new approaches. In the context of climate change, the role of sustainable land management and its ability to sequester carbon is increasing. The need to support farmers adopting agri-environmental practices is highlighted. The introduction of such practices is seen as a major factor in improving the supply of healthy and safe food.

The challenges to agroecological transitions are not the same for all farmers and implementation of agroecological practices in different locations could yield different results. With this consideration, this study was conducted in Aba-Garima watershed in northwestern Ethiopia to characterize the structure and activities of farming households and assess factors influencing the implementation and sustainability of agroecological practices. Data were collected from 218 households, 16 key informants, and 12 focus group discussions. The Multivariate Probit model and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze factors influencing farmers’ choices of different agroecological practices and describe the characteristics of farming households. The qualitative data analysis was processed through topic coding and building categories, themes, and patterns of relationships. Farmers realize the importance of both farm and landscape level agroecological practices to enhance income earning capacity, achieve food security and protect the environment. However, most of the agroecological practices are very difficult to start using for various constraining factors including limited access to water, and shortages of money, land and labor. The results suggest that depending on different socio-economic characteristics of farming households, agroecological practices that appear common practices can be very difficult to use for some farmers, while it would be possible for other farmers. The constraining factors are also differently associated with different practices, involving diverse perspectives of different socio-economic groups. The paper discussed the existing agroecological practices, the perspectives of different socio-economic groups on these practices and the factors influencing the implementation as well as the conditions that can facilitate the wider adoption of agroecological practices in the study area.

The development of European agricultural policy is geared towards achieving sustainability in the relationship between agriculture and the environment. In agricultural practice there are a variety of agro-ecological practices, some of which are well integrated in the modern agriculture in Bulgaria - organic fertilization, reduction of soil treatments, introduction of sustainable irrigation systems, biological control of pests, etc. The report analyzes the state of the more applied agro-ecological agricultural practices in Bulgaria. Emphasis is placed on the challenges and opportunities for applying these practices to farm farms. There is a need to improve access to knowledge, improve observation, strengthen consultancy services and develop the support system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home gardens are very old agroecosystems that show cultural identity and knowledge, so the present work aims to analyze the traditional ecological knowledge possessed by the peasant and indigenous families of Olintla, Puebla, in relation to the management of the home garden. The methodology implemented was through a case study that allowed us to apply a mixed methodology. Qualitative techniques were applied, such as the semi-structured interview, which was conducted with 15 key informants; and as a quantitative technique, the survey, in which a sample size of 76 families was calculated, obtained from a previous list of families that have home gardens (N=380) in order to collect primary information in a more complete way. With the data obtained, a database was created in Microsoft Excel ®, where the information obtained was recorded in a coded manner and processed with the SPSS program version 27.0. It was found that the farming families of Olintla name the family garden as liipakan in their native language, Totonac, and it was also found that the agrobiodiversity of the liipakan is reflected in the high number of species registered, which was 239, of which 130 are native; in addition, 142 are named in Totonac. A classification of 18 categories was also made according to their use; 10 agroecological practices used in the orchards were recorded as part of the traditional knowledge and a scale of knowledge possessed by the families was made, obtaining that 58 owners have a high to very high level of knowledge, which evidences the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of the biocultural heritage. It is concluded that the liipakan are important because they are mainly used to produce food (49.8% of cultivated species) contributing to the food sovereignty of Olintla families; in addition, medicinal plants (24.7%) and ornamental species (23.4%) are cultivated there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of coffee seedlings obtained in nurseries is a determining factor in the achievement of highly productive plantations. Was carried out an experiment in Tope de Collantes, with the objective to evaluate the effect of FitoMas-E and two proportions of organic matter in the substrate on the growth of coffee seedlings in the nursery stage. Was evaluated the effectiveness of four dose concentrations of FitoMas-E (0, 2, 4 and 6 ml L-1), and two soil proportions - organic matter (bovine manure) in the substrate (3:1 and 5:1), about the growth of the seedlings, with an experimental design totally randomized with bifactorial arrangement. The height of the plant, diameter of the shaft, foliar area and total dry mass of the seedlings to the were evaluated seven months after seeds were set down. The results evidence that the application of FitoMas-E it influences positively in the growth of the coffee seedlings, with increments of their efficiency, in the measure that the doses are increased independently of the conformation of the substrate. The dose of 6 ml L-1 was the most efficient and it was evidenced that with the application of the bioprepared it is possible to diminish the levels of organic matter in the substrate, without affecting the quality of the coffee seedling.

Given the multiple challenges that agriculture faces, collective action is a potential pathway towards more sustainable agriculture. This article aims to contribute to the literature by assessing the extent to which collective action can meet the objective of both healthy and profitable production in the French West Indies. To do so, we call on the theory of collective action and emphasise the role of formal and informal collectives in achieving the objectives of improving income and implementing agroecological practices. We use original data collected in 2022 from 409 vegetable farmers in Martinique and Guadeloupe. We consider the interdependence between farmers' economic and environmental objectives through a simultaneous equations model. We characterise the diversity of collectives according to their degree of formalisation and to the adequacy between the objectives pursued by these collectives and the individual objectives of their members. Our results show that the achievement of an individual objective is fostered by its adequacy with the objective set by the collective and also, to a certain extent, by the degree of formalisation of this collective. It appears that achieving individual objectives is based on sharing common objectives as well as having collective rules. More particularly, we find that producer organisations – collectives considered to be the most formal – best meet the objectives of improving income and adopting agroecological practices. However, in the French West Indies, the instability of such collectives and the organisational deficiencies of the sector call into question their real long-term impact. These findings contribute to a better understanding of farmers' decision-making and provide relevant policy implications for supporting agricultural collectives in managing and federating producers towards achieving a more healthy and profitable production. • Farmer's environmental and economic objectives must be considered together. • Sharing common objectives, having a formal framework foster objectives achievement. • Producer organisations and associations: a lever for agroecological practices use. • Producer organisations: a lever for income improvement. • Policies oriented toward supporting agricultural collectives are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with environmental factors, agricultural activity is one of the main drivers of change in riparian landscapes of arid regions. Some agricultural practices are considered more sustainability-oriented than others. Despite this, their use is not widespread and their effect on the provision of ecosystem services is not clearly established. Thus, we propose an empirical framework for studying the effects of traditional agricultural practices on regulating ecosystem services in priority and spatially restricted ecosystems. Through spatial analysis and community field work, this study assesses changes in the use of two traditional agricultural practices: living fencerows and acequia irrigation systems and their effect on biodiversity and ecosystem service: habitat quality and carbon storage. Results show that the use of living fencerows promotes habitat quality and carbon storage, but their use is restricted by functional and socioeconomic factors. Acequia systems promote the provision of carbon storage but have a negative influence on habitat quality, and their use is changing mainly due to environmental and functional factors. The presence of obligate riparian vegetation in different configurations maintains the highest values for habitat quality and carbon storage, but it doesn’t provide the functional purpose of fencerows or acequias. We suggest that the expansion of voluntary and official conservation areas that promote regeneration of riparian vegetation adjacent and around agricultural areas could help mitigate floods, provide materials and suitable conditions for the maintenance of fencerows and acequias, enhance water and soil quality and many other services needed in agriculture. We consider our proposal to be useful for future assessments of ecosystem services tradeoffs and social-ecological dynamics in other understudied regions with predominantly agricultural activity.

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Conservation agriculture (i.e., minimized soil disturbance and permanent soil covering) and living mulches represent two agroecological practices that can improve soil fertility, spontaneous flora, and beneficial insect communities. This research studied the effect of these practices in a young olive orchard in the Mediterranean area. Two Sicilian olive cultivars ('Nocellara del Belice' and 'Nocellara etnea') were used for the field experiment; inter-row minimum and zero tillage and four species of aromatic plants as living mulch along the row were tested. Spontaneous flora and beneficial insect communities, as well as tree growth, were monitored. The inter-row management did not influence the spontaneous flora dynamics. The species adopted for living mulch showed a very different degree of development and soil cover; 69 insect species (pollinators and predators) belonging to five orders (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, and Coleoptera) and 17 families were recorded. The growth of the olive trees was not affected by the conservative strategies.: In the inter-row, the growth of the spontaneous flora was limited by the high temperatures during the summer. Among the living mulch species, sage and lemongrass guaranteed an almost full soil cover, reducing the need for weed management along the row, as well as increasing the beneficial insects without influencing the young tree growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeds have always been considered an insidious enemy, capable of reducing crop production. Conversely, the agroecological vision attributes a key role to the spontaneous flora in promoting plant diversity and belowground interactions, which may improve the ecological performance of agroecosystems. We summarized the literature on the weeds’ arbuscular–mycorrhizae (AM) interaction and we analyzed evidence on the: (i) AM suppressive/selective effect on weed communities; (ii) effect of weeds on AM colonization, and (iii) positive role of AM-supporting weeds on forming shared mycorrhizal hyphal connections in agroecosystems. While some authors conceptualized AM as a weed control tool, others underlined their selective effect on weed communities. Recent studies suggest that AM-host weeds can participate in the development of a common mycorrhizal mycelial network (MMN) among different plants species. Nevertheless, direct evidence of the actual exchange of nutrients and C between coexisting plants through MMN in agroecosystems is missing. Although the effect of agricultural practices on plant community-AM interactions are complex, more conservative farming management seems to foster AM populations. Future studies should focus on: (i) field studies, (ii) weed communities and their traits, rather than on the most abundant species, and (iii) the use of advanced analytical techniques, able to monitor MMN development and functionality.

The study analyses the potential of agroecological practices in agricultural land use to ensure increased sustainability of the agri-food system. Conventional agricultural practices are perceived to have an increasingly negative impact on land use, necessitating the adoption of new approaches. In the context of climate change, the role of sustainable land management and its ability to sequester carbon is increasing. The need to support farmers adopting agri-environmental practices is highlighted. The introduction of such practices is seen as a major factor in improving the supply of healthy and safe food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way farmers perceive their relationship with the agricultural system affects the type of farm management implemented. Thus, it is fundamental to understand the needs, views, and motivations of farmers to integrate scientific knowledge more effectively in the day-to-day problems of farmers and foster the adoption of more sustainable practices. We interviewed 12 agroecological and 10 conventional horticultural farmers from the Madrid Region of Spain to characterize their profiles and evaluate their views toward agriculture, challenges experienced, and adopted farm practices. We found that the sociocultural profiles and the number of products grown differed widely among farmers. Further, significantly more sustainable practices were adopted by agroecological farmers compared to conventional farmers, with wider diversification in productive activities. Based on the different perceptions of agroecological and conventional farmers, we discuss the barriers and opportunities for spreading agroecology in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate change, French Polynesia is committed to increasing qualitatively and quantitatively local food production. In this regard, agroecology is perceived as a sustainable pathway to improve farming practices. This article proposes first a theoretical framework to analyze the proximity of farmers' management to agroecological principles. Second, it describes the current use of agroecological pest and soil management practices by French Polynesian farmers. And third, it explains which agronomic and socio-economic factors drive the implementation of agroecological practices. For this, qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 farmers on three islands, and statistical analyses were carried for correlation between the use of practices and socio-economic variables. Results show that French Polynesian farmers implement different soil and pest management practices that are in line with agroecological principles. Farmers scored better in terms of pest management with high plant diversity, implementation of crop rotations, and mechanical weed management. There is a significant influence of the “cropping system” and the “production system” (organic, integrated, and conventional) on the use of practices as well as proximity to agroecological principles. Identified pathways for an agroecological transition are implementing farmer to farmer knowledge exchange, farmer networks, and farm demonstrations as well as training of extension services staff.

Agroecological practices have been widely promoted as an alternative to the hegemonic agri-food system, yet they also can help to 'green' the system. To strengthen a transformative agroecology, Latin American activists have promoted the concept desenvolvimento territorial rural (DTR or rural territorial development), which has different versions. The dominant version advocates broad multi-actor coalitions to strengthen DTR and thus benefit poor people, yet this obscures rival territorial agendas. An antagonistic version instead analyses how capital accumulation drives societal conflicts, contingently resulting in DTR trajectories. Here an analytical schema helps identify how agroecological practices are appropriated for diverse trajectories of territorial development, illustrated by Brazilian agroforestry case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasingly widespread use of the term agroecology by farmers, scientists, agrarian social movements, and lawmakers, the definition of the concept is still the object of controversies. Current interpretations range widely, from fully transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary definitions integrating ecological, socioeconomic, and political dimensions of agriculture, to more narrow definitions of agroecology as a discipline bridging ecology and agronomy. No less importantly, few actors have developed criteria and methodologies to identify and evaluate agroecological systems based on both ecological and socioeconomic dimensions. The lack of consistency in the study and application of "agroecology," resulting from varying definitions for agroecology and the absence of standardized methodologies to identify agroecological systems, is problematic. It limits the recognition of associated benefits and disadvantages of different agroecological systems, as well as the identification of drivers that favor the implementation of agroecological practices. While lessons learned from individual case studies are valuable and showcase the potential of agroecology, results are not always relevant to other contexts. Here, we review existing theoretical and empirical agroecological literature. The major points that emerge are the following: (1) we integrate six historical ecological principles with seven socioeconomic principles to propose an overarching framework for recognizing systems oriented towards agroecology; (2) the implementation of different principles may vary greatly across spatial scales or governance contexts; (3) there are numerous barriers that farmers may face in their transition towards an agroecological "ideal"—this highlights the need for improved recognition of systems in transition, as well as the need for supportive policies to scale up agroecology. The application of two complementary methodological approaches presented in our review has the potential to help practitioners evaluate to what extent a system can be considered as agroecological based on ecological and socioeconomic principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a staple crop that is important for food security in the tropics. However, cassava farming can have severe environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and soil degradation, if it is not carefully managed. Therefore, a wide range of agricultural and environmental outcomes should be considered when cassava farming practices are recommended as “good agricultural practices”. We propose a systematic map of research on cassava farming practices and their impacts on yield, quality, profitability, soil, water, wildlife, pathogens, pests, weeds, and other agricultural and environmental outcomes. This map will improve our knowledge of the multifunctionality of cassava farming practices, by answering several questions: Which studies have measured the impacts of cassava farming practices on agricultural and/or environmental outcomes? Which practices and outcomes have been studied, in which countries, and when? Methods We will search for studies of “cassava OR mandioca OR manihot OR manioc OR yuca” in four publication databases (AGRICOLA, AGRIS, Scopus, Web of Science), two repositories of grey literature (including publications from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, which have worked extensively on cassava), and the Conservation Evidence database. We will screen the search results using eligibility criteria that are transparently reported and consistently applied. We will not critically appraise the validity of the studies that are included in the map, because we see this map as a subject-wide evidence base that could be used for multiple methods of evidence synthesis, with different criteria for critical appraisal. We have developed a classification of agricultural practices and a classification of agri-environmental outcomes, and we will use these classifications (“taxonomies” or “terminological ontologies”) when coding studies. We have developed a web application (http://www.metadataset.com) with drop-down menus for screening and coding. We will analyse the number of studies by practice, outcome, country, and year, and we will present the results as a searchable database with interactive geographical maps (an “evidence atlas”) that will show knowledge gaps and knowledge clusters.

This article analyzes the Material Culture of Mandiquera and the proposition of the Cultural Curriculum for the school context of rural schools in the Amazon Bragantina, State of Pará. Methodologically, it used the New Cultural History approach in the observation of the cultural artifacts of peasant farmers for production of Mandiquera. The use of images and interviews, allowed data collection. Data analysis took place through the systematic organization of the web of knowledge, proposed by Freire (1987); and the production and appropriation of subjects about these artifacts, in the studies of Certeau (2014) and Chartier (1991). It was verified that the Material Culture of Mandiquera, as a generating theme, consists of four thematic axes, together with the following cultural artifacts: "(Mandiocaba); (the use of caititu), (grater), (electric motor), (wooden spoon), (aluminum pan); (cloth and sieve); (shaggy brush, plastic and aluminum containers) ". In addition, it was identified that the association of these axes generates meanings about "Agroecological Practices and Peasant Food", and the material culture of Mandiquera is the guide for organizing matrixes and cultural curricula, where the dialogue between educators in rural schools and practices productive activities of peasant farmers serve to register and make artifacts visible as an educational public policy strategy, legitimizing them, as historical heritage of the Bragantina Amazon, Brazil and the World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]