agroecology
Agroecology, a critical field
within French higher education and research
Agroecology is an integral part of the strategies of French agricultural research and higher-education institutions, a major player in the international system of agronomic research.
France was 7th in the world for international publications on agroecology between 2002 and 2011, out of a global total of more than 33,000 publications.
INRA as an institution was 3rd in the world (INRA, 2012).
Through the complexity of their approach, French agricultural higher education and research establishments enrich the field and its relevance as a response to complex global agricultural and societal issues, in limited and uncertain environments.
Agroecology, studied in every educational programme
From masters and engineering courses to vocational training, agroecology is either present as a dedicated module, a common theme across different assignments, as an option for the central focus of certain masters programmes or as a specialisation for engineering students. Agroecology has a central place in digital learning, thanks to MOOCs, e-learning modules and other dedicated digital and pedagogical resources.
Agroecology, at the heart of research approaches
Research and higher education bodies use various approaches to address the topic of agroecology, in order to address and integrate all of its different dimensions into various situations and agricultural practices.
- Research Approaches: prioritising integrated and interdisciplinary working methods, in partnership and internationally; to respond locally and globally to major development challenges, for the production of knowledge and the improvement of skills.
- Educational approaches: Placed in real locations and based on case studies to anchor the education in the reality of the limitations and opportunities at the natural, economic and social levels; make students aware of the generalizable and unique aspects of each situation.
- Varied partnered approaches: comparing scientific and pedagogical approaches to the realities of development, which thus then inform them.
