Agroecology and sustainable food systems: inquiring technological approaches

The introductory chapter of the book, starts by a reflection on the levels of agroecological transition to map the multiplicity of labels for sustainability in agriculture, and the different declinations of Agriculture 4.0 with the corresponding embodied approaches to technologies and innovation for sustainability. The approach adopted in agroecology can be defined “technology for all” as a dynamic combination of available tools adapted to the specific locations and cultures of myriads of agroecological small farms, going beyond the universalizing closed menu of technological supply for standardizing conventional large farms. The chapter summarize the “basket of options” offered by the books as flexible, appropriate and suitable opportunities for the multiplicity of small farmers, herders, fisherfolk, peasants, indigenous people, urban dweller interested in growing directly their food, in safe places caring for humans and non humans, suitable for youths and elders, for women and men.