How to measure agroecology? A rapid appraisal approach based on focus group discussions

Aye Zar Chi, Castella Jean-Christophe, Xiong Maiyer, Phimmasone Sisavath, Ehrensperger Albrecht. 2024. How to measure agroecology? A rapid appraisal approach based on focus group discussions. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 48 (10) : 1428-1461.

https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2024.2386477

Article de revue ; Article de recherche ; Article de revue à facteur d'impact

Prévisualisation

Version publiée - Anglais
Sous licence

.
614237.pdf
Télécharger (7MB) | Prévisualisation

Résumé : This study presents an approach to assess agroecology at village level through focus group discussions with village committees and district extension agents. This approach is intended as an alternative to resources-intensive assessment methods, covering larger areas and providing rapid yet empirical evidences for policy and practice. It is based on the translation of the 13 agroecology principles of the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) into 21 contextualized indicators and questions that are relevant for the research area. They are grouped into four entry points for transformative action: land use and governance, farm management, social interactions, and socio-economic situation. This approach was tested in 16 villages and three districts in Xiengkhouang Province in Laos. The results show that villages are at an intermediate agroecological level. Comparable results and conclusions were achieved, regarding potential entry points for transformative action in specific villages, encouraging the reliability of the approach. It also showed to be promising in terms of the capacity to characterize the status of the 13 principles of agroecology, and to capture their changes in time. This approach may be further combined with other assessment methods to complement the aspects that require finer understanding or assessment over large territories.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : agroécologie, approche participative, agroécosystème, télédétection, riz pluvial, utilisation des terres, adaptation aux changements climatiques

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : République démocratique populaire lao, Asie du Sud-Est

Mots-clés libres : Agroecology, Participatory assessment, Focus group discussion, Entry points for transformative action, Lao PDR

Agences de financement européennes : European Commission

Agences de financement hors UE : Agence Française de Développement

Projets sur financement : (FRA) Agroecological and Safe Food System Transitions

Auteurs et affiliations