AVACLIM: Agroecology, a path for adaptation to climate change

CONTEXT

Agroecology has been developed in many contexts for about half a century but has long been considered a marginal model, more concerned with ecology than agronomy. Today, however, agroecology is put forward by public authorities, international organizations, researchers (…) as the way forward to face not only environmental, but also socio-economic challenges. 

Despite this emphasis, a difficult "scaling up" has been observed: agroecological initiatives remain very localized, fragmented, and sometimes denigrated.  

This led to the creation of the Avaclim programme, coordinated by CARI. This programme proposes to work in 7 countries to build a knowledge capital around agroecology in order to make it more visible on the one hand, and on the other hand to have reliable arguments to facilitate its integration in local, national and international development orientations and strategies. 

In Morocco, Agrisud is implementing the Avaclim programme with its partner, the Norsys Foundation.

OBJECTIVES

Creating the necessary conditions for the deployment of agroecology in 7 countries located in arid areas: Burkina Faso, Senegal, Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa, Brazil, and India. 

More specifically: 

• Stimulating and developing interactions between agroecology practitioners for better knowledge sharing 
• Measuring, documenting, and disseminating the outcomes, impacts and success factors of agroecology 
• Advocating to decision-makers for greater integration of agroecology in public policies 
• Raising public awareness of agroecological innovations and their benefits 

RESULTS

• 1 community of practices bringing together different Moroccan stakeholders involved in agroecology is constituted for practice exchange and the elaboration of an advocacy strategy 
• 14 agroecological initiatives conducted in Morocco are characterized and 2 initiatives are evaluated to fuel the advocacy action 
• 1 advocacy strategy is developed

KEY PROJECT INFORMATION