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Ellinor Isgren

Researcher

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No quick fixes : four interacting constraints to advancing agroecology in Uganda

Author

  • Ellinor Isgren

Summary, in English

A century after its inception, agroecology has entered mainstream development debates as a more sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural modernization of relevance not least for improving smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Agroecology is a broad concept considered to have transformative potential, yet as a research field it has often been technology-centred and focused at the local level. Building on the experiences of Ugandan agroecologists working in an array of agricultural professions throughout the country, this paper identifies and discusses major barriers to agroecology in Uganda. Inductive analysis of qualitative data from interviews and focus groups generated four types of interacting barriers; constraints at farmer level, an agricultural knowledge system favouring conventional approaches, adverse and intertwined political and economic interests, and cross-cutting ideological and discursive pressures. These broad challenges become manifest in the accounts presented, making clear that barriers to and therefore also appropriate strategies for advancing agroecology must be treated as contextual even if a ‘global movement’ is emerging around it. The discussion suggests theoretical lenses for further inquiry into agroecology and its realization in light of these constraints.

Department/s

  • LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)

Publishing year

2016-03-08

Language

English

Pages

428-447

Publication/Series

International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability

Volume

14

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Topic

  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Keywords

  • agricultural knowledge systems
  • agricultural sustainability
  • agroecology
  • modernization
  • rural development
  • Uganda

Status

Published

Research group

  • LUCID - Lund University Centre of Excellence for Integration of Social and Natural Dimensions of Sustainability

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1473-5903