Can agroecological living landscapes (ALLs) solve food, land and water system challenges?

Globally Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS) are being degraded rapidly. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on natural resources. Agriculture plays a significant role in India’s $3.5 trillion economy, employing 43% of the available labor force. The share of agriculture and allied sectors in total gross value added (GVA) of the economy is 18.8% during 2021-22.
The agriculture sector consumes a large portion of available natural resources, utilizing 90% of freshwater resources. Overexploitation of natural resources is leading to depleted water resources, deteriorating soil health and land degradation. Land degradation alone is estimated to have an economic cost of 2.54% of GDP and 15.92% of GVA from agriculture and forestry. It is critical to manage the available resources for achieving livelihood, water, food, and nutritional security of the country.
The CGIAR initiative on Agroecology aims to develop and scale agroecological practices and innovations with small-scale farmers and other agricultural and food system actors by establishing Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs).