French state agricultural research agency INRA has pledged its support for a school of environmentally and socially responsible agriculture.

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Last month INRA announced that it is, "committed to carrying out studies that are not only in step with but indeed anticipate the changing face of agriculture, with a view to achieving sustainable food and nutritional security for the 21st century." The institute's statements coincided with the unveiling of a new report on agroecological research; INRA already ranked agroecology in its top two research priorities in its 2010-2020 orientation document.

Agroecology is broadly the application of ecological principles to food production and the management of ‘agroecosystems.’ The approach takes a holistic view of food systems, but advocates context or site-specific approaches to studying these agroecosystems. It views long term sustainability and social justice as of (at least) equal importance to productivity.

The school, which has found influential supporters, including within UN organisations, uses sustainable techniques, and cutting-edge understanding from soil science to social science to create durable, resilient food systems.

At the annual Agricultural Salon held in Paris, INRA outlined its future plans for agroecology research and gave an update of projects already underway.

INRA researchers said the institute's five research priorities include improving understanding of the biological interactions between plants, animals and microorganisms within agrosystems, and designing the agricultural systems of tomorrow. It called for the scope of what is considered agricultural R&D to be broadened. INRA believes research must be expanded to investigate the ecological relationships between cultivated and non-cultivated areas, with a view to supporting essential environment functions such as water purification, underground carbon sequestration, pollination, soil fertility and pest control.

The French agency will look at:

- The role of fungal decomposers in regulating the nutrient bank and organic content of soil;
- Best resistance of mixed forests and varietal combinations of grains to certain pests;
- Importance of mosaic landscapes for water quality and plant life;
- Innovations in agroecology, driving forces and obstacles.

Olivier de Schutter, UN special rapporteur on the right to food and a devotee of agroecology has said, "Conventional farming relies on expensive inputs, fuels climate change and is not resilient to climatic shocks. It simply is not the best choice anymore today. A large segment of the scientific community now acknowledges the positive impacts of agroecology on food production, poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation."

As well as in France, the agroecological approach is gaining ground in the United States and Germany. In January this year, a number of experts and sustainable farming organisations came together to launch the UK Agroecology Alliance at the Oxford Real Farming Conference.    

Despite its growing support and "impressive potential", de Scutter has cautioned that, "agroecology is still insufficiently backed by ambitious public policies." He maintains, "Agroecology is a knowledge-intensive approach. It requires public policies supporting agricultural research and participative extension services. States and donors have a key role to play here. Private companies will not invest time and money in practices that cannot be rewarded by patents and which don't open markets for chemical products or improved seeds."