Agroecology Delivers Synergy: Growing Nutritious Food, Enhancing Health and Ecosystems

Slow Food promotes agroecology as a pathway to a healthier, more productive, and sustainable farming system. Agroecology creates synergy by fostering positive interactions that benefit both human health and ecosystems.

From September 26 to 30, Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 will take place in Turin’s Parco Dora, Italy. The event will unite Slow Food delegates and activists from over 120 countries to transform food systems.

Slow Food has identified five key themes that will guide discussions on solutions to the climate and food systems crisis: diversity, community, synergy, justice, and knowledge. Previous press releases have covered diversity,  justice, and knowledge. Now, let’s focus on synergy.

Synergy is the core of agroecology, representing the ecological interactions between different elements of the agroecosystem. Just as humans rely on nutritious food, so do animals and plants. Healthy soils, rich with microorganisms, provide essential nutrients to the plants we eat and feed to animals. These healthy soils are the foundation of ecosystems and biodiversity.

In contrast, industrial agriculture depletes diets and pollutes the planet. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides damage soil life, harm pollinators, and threaten human health. Food produced in these systems is often less nutritious and may even be harmful. The obesity epidemic highlights that many are overfed but undernourished. The hidden costs of industrial agriculture are estimated at 15 trillion USD annually, equivalent to 12 percent of global GDP in 2020, according to “The Economics of the Food System Transformation,” 2024.

The World Health Organization defines health as more than the absence of disease; it is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. This concept of health now extends beyond humans to include interconnected ecosystems and animals, forming what is known as « One Health. » Globally and locally, these systems are interdependent.

Marta Messa, secretary general of Slow Food, says: “An agroecological farm is a living community, not just as a place to grow crops. An agroecological farm creates a system that imitates and reinforces the complexity of nature to mitigate climate change, create economic diversity and social well-being, as well as enhance biodiversity. Nourishing the natural interactions and synergies within ecosystems is key to solving the challenges we face as humanity and ensuring a prosperous life for all now and in the future. At Terra Madre, the Slow Food network will testify to how the diversity of locally adapted agroecological practices fosters synergies and overall well-being. Policies play a key role: at all levels, from cities to international institutions, policymakers should support agroecological farms and just food systems.”

Can the Economy Serve the Environment?

At Terra Madre, Leonardo Becchetti, professor of political economy at the University of Rome, will discuss this question, “can the economy and finance serve the environment?” He describes the emerging concept of « generative finance, » a financial sector focused on creating positive social and environmental impacts, not just maximizing profits. It’s a revolution because it assumes that the objective of an investment is not just to obtain the largest profit possible, without consideration for the consequences.

Legumes: The « Synergy Plants »

Legumes are vital to agroecology, benefiting human health, soil, and the planet. They are rich in micronutrients, fiber, and protein, and they have the unique ability to fix nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil for other plants. Legumes are central to agroecological practices. Terra Madre will highlight their importance through events like the Slow Beans workshop.

Cultural Connections and Traditional Foods

A healthier community is linked to traditional food preparation and culturally appropriate diets. Cooks play an essential role in preserving these traditions. At Terra Madre, the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance from Lesotho will demonstrate through a workshop dishes such as nyekoe and lipabi, made with traditional ingredients like beans, lentils, and sorghum. The Turkish Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance is presenting antalya piyazi, a warm bean salad. From further east, Slow Food Korea will be offering an interactive experience of traditional fermented sauces like doenjang (soybean paste) and gochujang (chili paste).

The extraordinary biodiversity of legumes is also showcased in the Market at Terra Madre!

Art at Terra Madre 2024

Food connects us to the soil, the sea, and our cultural identities. To explore these connections, Slow Food and Paratissima Art Gallery invited international artists to interpret the relationship between nature and culture. Their work, part of an exhibition in Parco Dora, will address the environmental and social challenges of today’s food systems through art. (Link)

The International Market

The international market at Terra Madre features more than 180 Presidia—small-scale producers committed to agroecological practices. These producers work to preserve native livestock breeds, local varieties of fruits and vegetables, and traditional foods like bread, cheese, cured meats, and sweets. They are dedicated to protecting the environment, improving health, and supporting their communities—because we are what we eat.