Agroecology and circular food systems: decoupling natural resource use from rural development in sub-Saharan Africa?

Rooyen, A V and Bjornlund, H and Moyo, M and Pittock, J and Parry, K and Mujeyi, A (2025) Agroecology and circular food systems: decoupling natural resource use from rural development in sub-Saharan Africa? International Journal of Water Resources Development, 41 (2). pp. 489-511. ISSN 0790-0627

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Abstract

This paper proposes transitioning food systems in sub-Saharan Africa to circularity and greater diversity, using agroecology principles and shifting mental models of development from scale to scope. We argue that integrated dryland and irrigated agroecosystems can increase production efficiencies when aligned with local food demands and cultures. Synergies between food enterprises, their products, byproducts and waste will generate further enterprises and tighten resource cycles, closing nutrient, water and energy loops while reducing reliance on external inputs. This will generate more economic benefits per unit of land, labour and water, decoupling local economies from natural resource use and environmental impact.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Agroecology, circular food systems, food systems’ transformations, sustainable agriculture, small-scale irrigation
Subjects:	Others > Sustainable Agriculture Others > Sub-Saharan Africa
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2025 08:01
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2025 08:01
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13003
Official URL:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07900...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Acknowledgement:	This research was part of the project Transforming Small-scale Irrigation in Southern Africa (TISA) and the Circular Food Systems project (CFS), which was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (FSC/2013/006) and (WAC/2023/111). We thank the reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing the manuscript. We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions, which helped us improve its quality.
Links:	Google Scholar

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