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Agroecological systems minimise contamination, enhancing traceability and ensuring safer food from production to consumption.
Image Source: Getty
Sustainable food safety is of utmost importance in a world confronted by foodborne illnesses, chemical contamination, and the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture. Agroecology is “an integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of food and agricultural systems” that “aims to optimise the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while taking into account the social aspects that must be addressed for a sustainable and equitable food system”.
Conventional agriculture (non-organic farming) often intensifies the risk to food safety, given the excess use of pesticides and fertilisers that contaminate soil and water, further contributing to the rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is an intrinsic link between food safety, nutrition and food security. An estimated 600 million people - nearly 1 in 10 - fall ill from foodborne illnesses, while 420,000 people lose their lives each year, resulting in a loss of 33 million years of healthy life. Low- and middle-income countries find it particularly challenging to combat food-borne illnesses, given the gaps in regulation, lack of awareness and adequate implementation of existing strategies. Conventional agriculture (non-organic farming) often intensifies the risk to food safety, given the excess use of pesticides and fertilisers that contaminate soil and water, further contributing to the rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens. This phenomenon is elicited in Figure 1. The Codex Alimentarius International Food Standards warns of the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in livestock and the global AMR crisis, potentially rendering common infections untreatable.
Figure 1: Antimicrobial Transmission from Farm to Fork
Source: Antimicrobial Transmission from Farm to Fork
Both monoculture cropping systems and industrial animal farming contribute to the spread of pests and diseases that require chemical intervention. The agroecological approach helps minimise harmful inputs and chemical residues by employing measures such as intercropping, biological pest control, and integrated pest management, thus contributing to sustainable development. Environmental contamination can be contained by reducing the use of pesticides that seep into groundwater and affect non-target species. Evidence suggests that organic and agroecological farming systems significantly reduce pesticide residues in food, particularly ones that have a detrimental effect on human health. Agroecological livestock systems employ pasture-based, low-density, and mixed farming methods to promote animal health using natural means, thereby reducing the need for routine antibiotics and helping combat AMR. It has been found that agroecological farms used up 70-90 percent less antibiotics than their conventional counterparts while maintaining animal health and productivity. A reduction in the usage of antibiotics hinders the development and spread of resistant pathogens, thereby reducing the likelihood of AMR.
Rich and resilient soil health is crucial to the production of safe food. Agroecological practices such as composting, crop rotation, agroforestry, and reduced tillage enhance soil health, support plant resilience, and eliminate contaminants—including Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Similarly, water quality can be improved through the usage of agroecological watershed management systems and buffer zones that prevent runoff from livestock and chemical-intensive fields. However, industrial farming practices often pollute water with their chemical waste, causing the contamination of food and irrigation water. Agroecological farming practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping have been known to protect soil health and reduce water contamination.
The agroecological approach helps minimise harmful inputs and chemical residues by employing measures such as intercropping, biological pest control, and integrated pest management, thus contributing to sustainable development.
The expanse of the global supply chain poses a challenge in tracing unsafe food products and ingredients, causing delays in detecting contamination. The solution lies in agroecology, which supports local food systems, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the food supply chain. Initiatives such as community-supported agriculture (CSA) involve direct marketing between the consumer and grower through mutual support in addition to sharing the risks and burdens associated with production. A report titled ‘Breaking Away from Industrial Food and Farming Systems ' highlights agroecological transitions and their impact on biodiversity enhancement, improved nutrition and livelihood, in addition to better resource allocation.
Women play a crucial role in both food systems and production, comprising 43 percent of the global agricultural workforce. Agroecology has the potential to empower women through raising awareness, enabling monetary gain and financial independence, and participation in decision-making. Evidence from the Global South has shown that agroecological initiatives can lead to improved household dietary diversity, child development and reduced food spoilage. A review of the existing literature points to positive outcomes for food and nutrition security through agroecological practices. Further, recent reports also highlight how such sustainable agricultural practices strengthen food systems, utilising traditional knowledge and promoting food and nutrition safety and security.
Agroecology bridges ecological integrity with social empowerment across the food chain to produce food that is not only safe and nutritious but also sustainable and just. Though we are more than halfway through achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, global food security challenges continue to unravel. Agroecology stands out as a crucial solution. Scaling it, however, will require enabling policies such as targeted subsidies, crop insurance, market incentives, and more. There is an urgent need for governments to take action and adopt agroecological principles to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable diets.
Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with the Health Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Dr. Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with ORFs Health Initiative. Shoba is a nutritionist with experience in community and clinical research. She has worked on nutrition, ...
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