How can agroecology improve crop resilience?

Agroecology is working with nature to let Nature do what she does best. It means taking care of the soils and letting the plants take what they need from the soil microbes because the soil microbiome is properly functioning and cycling nutrients. A healthy plant has high Brix numbers which means that pests find the plants too rich in nutrients to attack. The ecosystems function with predators and prey in balance. The system works because there isn’t too much of any one thing - including plants producing the crops. We intermingle or intercrop fields to ensure there are no monocrops. As such, we avoid any need for GMOs, pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. These systems have lower water requirements as well. They respect Nature.

Agroecology is an approach that harmonizes agricultural practices with ecological principles. It's not merely a set of techniques but a holistic understanding of farming as part of a larger ecosystem. Syntropic agroecology involves creating diverse, multi-strata systems that mimic natural forests, integrating various plant and animal species. This approach prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and natural cycles, leading to self-sustaining, resilient agricultural systems. It's about observing and learning from nature, applying these insights to cultivate in a way that supports and enhances the overall health and balance of the environment.

Let’s first start by saying agroecology is a more formalized and intellectual term for a system that operates with the principles of permaculture and food forestry. You cannot take from the land without replenishing it and you just lean into the seasons as constraints as well as absolutes that can guide your system health. The system whether it’s a urban food farm, a master planned community or eco village with food systems integrated, a CSA market garden, or a regenerative farm must understand healthy rotations of the crops, nutrient cycling in that system (naturally or what’s introduced to the system), and what comes out of the system by products and products.

Agroecology encompasses both the scientific understanding and practical implementation of agricultural systems that emulate and amplify natural processes, including nutrient cycling, pest management, and water preservation. Its objective is to optimize the interactions among plants, animals, soil, and climate, all while considering the social and cultural aspects of farming communities. By fostering diversity, minimizing reliance on external resources, and fostering ecological equilibrium, agroecology has the potential to enhance crop resilience.

Biotechnology especially genetic engineering doesn’t fit into the realm of agroecology - no matter how much Bayer etc might wish it to. Agroecology means letting Nature find the best solution by supplying enough genetic variety within the system to evolve into the best solution: it’s 100% Darwinian. GMOs kill diversity and are mostly done to “try” to dominate Nature but it never works in the long run- except for those big companies profiteering from it: the farmers just pay a lot to eventually destroy their land. Seed selecting natural desireable traits and fixing soil microbiomes go much further to building resilience. On top of that, they are practically free. No wonder Syngenta, Bayer, Yara etc don’t want Agroecology to take off!

In our experience where we provide access to, and recommendations for the best-performing seed varieties -FROM THE ENTIRE AVAILABLE MARKET-farmers can realize an average of 25 higher percent income. This is just by planting the best seed for the farm and not changing anything else. Often nonGMOs perform as well as GMOs in yield but other factors depending on the use of grains (livestock feed, grain markets, ethanol,etc. ) allow farmers to interact with varieties to select optimal multiple features. Our system lets us find climate resilient and drought tolerant varieties farmers want. Further performance is consistent by global agroecosystems in our Reinforcement Machine Learning cloud platform. WE’RE RAISING!

Biotechnology and genetic engineering, while aiming to offer quick fixes for enhancing crop traits, overlook nature's time-tested method: evolution. For millions of years, nature has been refining plants through natural selection, resulting in traits like drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutrient efficiency. Syntropic Farming taps into this evolutionary wisdom by creating ecosystems that encourage natural plant resilience and adaptability. This approach fosters biodiversity and healthy soil, which naturally enhance these traits in crops, proving to be more sustainable and holistic than artificially manipulating genetic codes in a laboratory setting. We are not the intelligence of the system. We are part of an intelligent system.

By introducing this concept of tracking data inputs that pertain to biological systems you can naturally tweak inputs and outputs of your agricultural system. By measuring moisture in your soil you can forecast yields, but identify oxidation reduction potentials you can preventively approach IPM protocols, by quantifying accuracy and usage rates for everything from biologicals to seeds you can predict revenues and waste. Using bioengineering connects you to natural systems by measuring those systems in action and utilizes native biomes in tandem with introduced species.

Bioengineering utilizes engineering principles and methods to optimize biological systems, including plants, animals, and microbes. Its potential benefits for agroecology are manifold. For instance, bioengineering enables the creation of sensors and models to assess soil quality, water availability, and crop performance accurately. It also facilitates the development of biotechnology and genetic engineering techniques to enhance crop traits such as resistance to diseases, tolerance to drought, and efficiency in nutrient utilization. Furthermore, bioengineering can contribute to the design of bio-based products and processes that minimize waste, pollution, and energy consumption.

When we use an organism to address a problem instead of fixing the underlying cause, which is usually bad land management or techniques, we create new problems. Organisms are not chemicals: they die if conditions aren’t right and they need food, water & shelter. Sometimes they’ll change their food preferences & go from beneficial to destructive if preferred conditions aren’t met. They also cyst & go inactive if the conditions are not ideal so once they are in your soil, they don’t just disappear. Using them without the understanding behind them is reckless but we’re treating them as if they are benign. Using animals, no-till, using cover crops & no synthetics is how soil improves naturally- using agroecology; not GMOs, foreign microbes, etc

My favorite example is a concept of waste allocation and seasonal nutrient cycling in soil. If one system has excess another system can utilize it. Dairy cattle facilities allocate tremendous amounts of space for manure lagoons, manure compositing, and waste handling. If on site systems allow for the offtaking of these resources to be inputs into other systems that can be put to work (spring and fall compost or manure applications) you can biological increase organic matter and introduce cover crops for nutrient fixing that would otherwise not be present or slowed due to crop productivity.

Agroecological bioengineering encompasses a range of strategies to enhance crop resilience. Intercropping is one example, where different crops are grown together to increase diversity, reduce pests, and improve soil fertility. Biofertilizers, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria or phosphorus-solubilizing fungi, provide natural nutrient sources to enhance soil health. Biopesticides, derived from natural substances or organisms, control pests and diseases while minimizing chemical use. Additionally, biochar, produced through biomass pyrolysis, improves soil structure, water retention, and carbon sequestration. These examples demonstrate the power of agroecological bioengineering in promoting sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Agroecological bioengineering brings forth a range of challenges and opportunities. Challenges encompass the necessity for extensive research and development to refine bioengineering techniques for diverse crop systems and environments. Overcoming regulatory obstacles and gaining public acceptance of genetically modified organisms are additional challenges. Scaling up bioengineering practices introduces logistical and cost-related hurdles.

Agroecology improves crop resilience by fostering biodiversity, enhancing soil health, and mimicking natural ecosystems. By integrating a variety of plant species and utilizing natural "pest" control methods, it creates a balanced environment where crops are naturally stronger and more resistant to diseases and "pests". Healthy soil, rich in organic matter and beneficial microbes, supports robust plant growth. Agroecology also emphasizes local knowledge and practices, adapting to specific environmental conditions. This holistic approach ensures long-term sustainability, resilience to climate change, and can make chemical inputs obsolete, leading to more resilient crop systems.

Regenerating natural systems means growing food in a way that fosters soil health, agrological biodiversity and preservation of local ecosystems. Farming and food growing nurtures and improves the soil’s structure instead of degrading it, supporting the ecosystem it is inserted in. Ultimately, this leads to the benefits of carbon sequestration, better water retention and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers, restoring natural ecosystems. There is no place for engineered crops on this system because of its unpredictable influences on biodiversity.

agroecology can improve crop resilience by: Enhancing biodiversity and nutritional diversity through integrated cropping systems that reduce dependence on monocultures and agrochemicals1. Increasing soil health and fertility through organic matter application that improves soil structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient cycling1. Saving water, energy, and fertilizer inputs through water-efficient irrigation that delivers water to crops in a precise and controlled manner1. Conserving soil moisture, organic matter, and nutrients through conservation tillage that minimizes soil disturbance and maintains crop residues on the soil surface