Related Experiment Videos
An agroecological perspective on systems-level transformations to keep current food systems from degrading the global
Kris A G Wyckhuys1,2,3,4, Edmundo Barrios5, Steven J Fonte6
1Chrysalis Consulting, Danang, Vietnam. k.wyckhuys@uq.edu.au.
Nature Food
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Transforming food systems requires overcoming barriers like locked-in technologies and reductionist research. This study identifies six key leverage points for successful agroecological transitions benefiting people, nature, and the planet.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Systems Ecology
- Innovation Studies
Background:
- Technological innovation and farmer ingenuity can transform food systems.
- Current transformations are hindered by entrenched technological systems, limited interdisciplinary research, and reductionist problem-solving.
- Agroecological transitions are crucial for sustainable food systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify leverage points for advancing agroecological transitions.
- To apply a systems-thinking approach to food system transformation.
- To outline pathways for food systems that benefit people, nature, and the planet.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of six key leverage points.
- Application of a systems-thinking framework.
- Analysis of barriers to agroecological transitions.
Main Results:
- Six critical leverage points were identified for driving agroecological transitions.
- A systems-thinking lens reveals pathways to overcome existing barriers.
- These leverage points offer momentum for sustainable food system change.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming barriers through systems thinking is essential for agroecological transitions.
- Targeting specific leverage points can accelerate the shift towards sustainable food systems.
- The identified leverage points provide a framework for beneficial food system transformation.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Sources of Food Contamination
Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
01:43Sustainable Development
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
01:16What is Climate?
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
01:27Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
01:50Threats to Biodiversity
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components: