Recent climate, economic, and geopolitical crises have exposed the vulnerability of highly input-dependent food systems. Fertilizer trade disruptions, rising energy costs, supply chain interruptions, and geopolitical conflicts have increased production risks and threatened food security worldwide. These challenges are particularly acute for smallholder farmers, many of whom face declining access to agricultural inputs, rising production costs, and increasing pressure on land and natural resources. 

Agroecology+ solutions, including organic fertilization, crop diversification, agroforestry, integrated soil fertility management, and enhanced soil-plant synergies, are increasingly being promoted as pathways for strengthening the resilience of food systems. However, significant questions remain regarding their effectiveness across different agroecological and socioeconomic contexts, their potential to maintain productivity, availability of adequate inputs, and their capacity to reduce dependence on external inputs while contributing to broader sustainability goals. 

This webinar will explore how meta-data can inform modelling to generate evidence-based insights for integrated soil fertility management and productivity using digital advisory services.  It will examine whether scaling agroecological practices from plot to landscape levels can reduce vulnerability to climate and geopolitical shocks, while generating positive outcomes for biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, water resources, soil health, livelihoods, and food security. 

The discussion will challenge the notion that future food production growth must rely primarily on synthetic fertilizers and conventional intensification strategies. Instead, it will examine evidence on whether Agroecology+ solutions can support resilient, productive, and sustainable food systems over the short, medium, and long term