Absent Agroecology Aid: On UK Agricultural Development Assistance Since 2010

Using figures published by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), this study finds that despite overwhelming evidence in favour of agroecology as a mode of agricultural development able to address crucial aspects of the interrelated crises facing human societies, UK development aid b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSustainability Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 505
Main Authors Pimbert, Michel, Moeller, Nina
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 13.02.2018
Subjects
Agricultural conservation
Agricultural development
Agriculture
Agroecology
Funds
Green revolution
Resource conservation
Soil conservation
Sustainability
United Kingdom > UK
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Summary:Using figures published by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), this study finds that despite overwhelming evidence in favour of agroecology as a mode of agricultural development able to address crucial aspects of the interrelated crises facing human societies, UK development aid barely supports agroecology. Based on the most generous interpretation, this study shows for the first time that aid for agroecological projects is less than 5% of agricultural aid and less than 0.5% of total UK aid budget since 2010. Since 1 January 2010, no funds at all have been directed at or been committed to projects with the main focus on development or promotion of agroecological practices. Minor funds have been directed at projects which include some activities promoting agroecology at the most basic level of resource efficiency (e.g., conservation agriculture). By largely supporting industrial and Green Revolution agriculture, UK Aid priorities contribute very little to the transition towards social-ecological sustainability in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su10020505