Author: Irene Katsaros
At the Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) 2025, a diverse panel of voices convened to discuss the profound challenges and opportunities of re-rooting agroecology as a social movement. This session brought together Michel Pimbert, a researcher and emeritus professor of Agroecology and Food Politics at Coventry University; Anuka De Silva, a peasant activist from Via Campesina in Sri Lanka; Edwin Brooks, a farmer practitioner and activist; and Rebecca Laughton, a grower, researcher, and campaigner. Their collective insights spanned the historical roots, current practices, and future directions of agroecology.
The Birth of Agroecology: Roots in Indigenous Knowledge
Agroecology, while formally studied as a science for over 90 years, has roots that reach much deeper into the wisdom of indigenous communities in Africa, Australia, Polynesia, and beyond. These communities have long practiced land stewardship as a kin-centric ecology, where humans and nature are interconnected. Techniques like polyculture cropping, agroforestry systems, and biodiversity intercropping exemplify how agroecology aligns with these ancestral practices.
Michel Pimbert emphasized that “there is no food sovereignty without agroecology,” linking these traditional approaches to the broader fight for equitable food systems. Agroecology’s essence lies not only in its methods but in its relational worldview, which challenges the capitalist model of extraction and exploitation.
Agroecology Today: Focused on Systems and Justice
In the 20th century, agroecology’s focus was primarily at the farm level, addressing practices and methods. As the movement matured, it expanded to include social, economic, and policy dimensions. By the 21st century, agroecology encompassed the entire food system, emphasizing relocalization and systemic change.
Today, agroecology “is not just a set of practices but a political demand”, as Anuka De Silva articulated. Anuka highlighted the urgent need for systems of governance that prioritize equity and sustainability, pointing to models like the Zapatista movement in Mexico and the Rojava in Kurdistan as examples of adapted, decentralized management.
Michel Pimbert also stressed the necessity of reinventing modernity: “We need to reinvent modernity; otherwise, there is no future for Indigenous people.” He called for circular models that move away from fossil fuel dependency and decolonize knowledge, bringing attention to cognitive and intersectional justice.
At the Social Level: Challenges and Inspirations
Panelist Edwin Brooks shared the difficulties of being an agroecological farmer within the capitalist system. Despite the challenges, he found inspiration in the resistance culture of Colombian communities he encountered at the 8th Via Campesina International Conference in Bogotá. “It is about the people in the landscape, justice, and internationalism,” Edwin reflected, emphasizing the importance of connecting local actions to global movements.
Rebecca Laughton added that care and support systems are essential for rebalancing power dynamics in food networks. She stressed the importance of collaboration: “Learning from each other strengthens different movements and builds resilience.”
What Should We Do?Â
To advance the agroecology movement, several critical actions must be undertaken.Â
First, crafting a unified and inclusive narrative is essential to counter the dominance of agribusiness lobbies. The movement must articulate a compelling story that resonates globally. Addressing global inequalities is another pressing priority. Michel Pimbert highlighted that between 1960 and 2018, $62 trillion was drained from the Global South to the Global North. Implementing a global wealth tax could generate $250 billion from just 3,000 billionaires, providing much-needed funds for agroecological research and food sovereignty initiatives. Solidarity across borders is crucial, as Anuka De Silva emphasized with her call to “globalize the struggle, globalize the hope.” Supporting local sovereignty through equitable access to land, seeds, and self-determined governance is equally vital. Anuka stressed the importance of building a sovereignty-based economy to empower communities. Finally, relational practices, such as opening farm gates, using local materials, and collaborating with food banks, can strengthen local food networks and foster connections, as advised by Edwin Brooks. Together, these actions lay the groundwork for a transformative agroecological future.
Agroecology, rooted in ancestral wisdom and evolving through contemporary challenges, holds the potential to create just and sustainable food systems. To achieve this, we must unify our efforts, challenge entrenched power structures, and embrace the transformative vision of agroecology as a global social movement.
This is a call to action: redefine development, prioritize degrowth, and center justice—for the land, the people, and future generations.
About the author
Hello! I’m Irene Katsaros, currently a research assistant within the scope of the GOOD Project – AGrOecOlogy for weeDs Horizon 2020 collaborating with the Department of Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. I have worked until recently at a pioneering regenerative farm in Portugal’s Beira Baixa region (Monte Silveira Bio) also collaborating with the University of Coimbra to built stronger bridges between research and practice with initiatives that are making an impact in for rural communities in Portugal. My work sits at the intersection of science, practice, and social movement, grounded in my academic background in agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and agroforestry (MSc). Alongside practical experience in desert permaculture and ecological design, I’m deeply committed to food sovereignty and grassroots movements that champion people over corporate interests. I also have a keen interest in communication and outreach; previously, I coordinated a podcast with an NGO that amplified the voices of agroecology advocates in the Netherlands, bringing forward perspectives often left unheard.