Apr 14, 2022
New book calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in global farming and food systems

A critique of profit-first models of farming and food production, “Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture: Sustainable Solutions for Hunger, Poverty, and Climate Change,” provides evidence-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing crises in global ecology, agriculture and public health. 

Authored by physicist, ecologist and biodiversity advocate Vandana Shiva, Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture offers detailed analysis of the multiple planetary dilemmas we face due to chemical and industrial agriculture including land degradation, water depletion, biodiversity erosion, climate change and health crises while also focusing on practical solutions. The book, from Synergetic Press, will be published April 19, 2022. 

“A scientific and ecologically robust paradigm of agriculture is emerging in the form of biodiversity, agroecology, and regenerative organic farming, which addresses the triple crisis,” Shiva writes. “Instead of degrading the soil, health, and rural livelihoods, it rejuvenates and regenerates them. Instead of using toxic chemical inputs which cause harm to the environment and public health, it relies on a diversity of flora, fauna, and microorganisms, each with respective ecological functions. Biodiversity, agroecology, and regenerative organic farming are the ecological practices to address poverty, hunger, and multiple harms to public health that have been caused by chemical and fossil fuel-intensive industrial agriculture.”

This work serves as a guidebook for agriculture scientists, policymakers, environmentalists and every individual who cares about their own health as well as the vitality of the planet. As internationally renowned scientist Hans Herren wrote in the foreword, Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture meets our current moment head on:

“The timing for the publication of this insightful book could not be better, given the culmination of several crises affecting the food system, not the least the COVID-19 outbreak that quickly developed into a pandemic with the dire consequences we now know, and is far from over,” Herren wrote.

Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture details the work of Navdanya, an organization Shiva founded, that promotes agroecology, seed freedom, and a vision of Earth Democracy that seeks justice for the Earth and all living beings.

Vandana Shiva is an author, physicist, ecologist, and advocate of biodiversity conservation and farmer’s rights. Her pioneering work around food sovereignty, traditional agriculture, and women’s rights created fundamental cultural shifts in how the world views these issues. 

Shiva founded Navdanya, an organization that promotes agroecology, seed freedom, and a vision of Earth Democracy, seeking justice for the Earth and all living beings. She has authored more than 20 books including Philanthrocapitalism & The Erosion of Democracy: A Global Citizens’ Report on the Corporate Control of Technology, Health, and Agriculture (Synergetic Press, 2022) and Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture: Sustainable Solutions for Hunger, Poverty, and Climate Change (Synergetic Press, 2022). 

Shiva is a member of the scientific committee of the Fundacion IDEAS, Spain’s Socialist Party’s think tank and the International Organization for a Participatory Society. She received the Right Livelihood Award in 1993, an honor known as an “Alternative Nobel Prize.” She has received numerous other awards and honors for her work including the “Save the World” award in 2009 and the Sydney Peace Prize in 2010. Shiva’s life and work is the subject of the award-winning 2021 documentary, “Seeds of Vandana Shiva.”

Comments on the book:

“The book is a magnificent manifesto for the future of good farming which can sequester carbon dioxide, feed everyone with nutritious food, preserve the integrity and dignity of farmers and restore biodiversity. This book is urgently needed. Everyone should read it.”Satish Kumar, founder of Schumacher College and Editor Emeritus, Resurgence & Ecologist

“With all her usual power and clarity, Shiva describes how we can transition to a food system that regenerates ecosystems, builds biodiversity and provides healthy nutrition for all, starting with soil, seeds, farms and food. This book brings together years of research and experience from the world’s leading ecofeminist scholar. Don’t miss it.” Jason Hickel, economic anthropologist and author of Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World

“We find ourselves at a crossroads, between two paths one green and the other scorched, it is known as the time of the Seventh Fire. And, at this moment Vandana reminds us that we still have seeds and soil. In those life forms is great hope and promise.” Winona LaDuke, economist, environmentalist, and Executive Director of Honor the Earth

 


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