Industrial-scale farming is flawed: what ecologically friendly farming practices could look like in Africa

African Perspectives on Agroecology is a new book with 33 contributions from academics, non-governmental organisations, farmer organisations and policymakers.

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It is free to download, and reviewers have described it as a “must-read for all who care about the future of Africa and its people”

The book outlines how agroecology, which brings ecological principles into farming practices and food systems, can solve food shortages and environmental damage caused by mass, commercial farming.

The Conversation asked the book’s editor and the South African Research Chair on Environmental and Social Dimensions of the Bio-economy, Prof Rachel Wynberg, to set out why this book is so important.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF FOOD PRODUCTION?

The dominant model of modern agriculture in the world is based on monoculture, where one crop is grown across large areas using chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

It relies on seeds that are owned by big corporations and are often subsidised by governments at a high cost.

The book outlines how this approach to growing food is flawed.

Firstly, it carries major costs. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’s State of Food and Agriculture 2024 report, the costs of diet-related disease, hunger and malnutrition and other costs amount to about US$8 trillion (over R144 trillion) a year. Countries in the Gobal South carry much of the burden.