New article on the evaluation of agroecological farming practices

This paper compares eight crop rotations across 541,800 ha in Wallonia (Belgium). Taking a conventional intensive crop rotation as the baseline, the authors use the STICS soil-crop model to assess the effects of the gradual adoption of agroecological practices, ranging from reduced nitrogen fertilisation to crop diversification and the integration of grassland and livestock farming.

The study shows that the gradual adoption of agroecological practices, in particular crop diversification and the integration of crop and livestock farming, helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching whilst improving carbon sequestration in soils and yield stability.

Above all, this study highlights, at a fine spatial scale and over a 24-year period, the trade-offs between maximising productivity and reducing environmental impacts. It shows that the large-scale adoption of agroecological practices would require financial support for farmers and/or greater consideration of environmental costs.

Delandmeter, M., Basso, B., Bindelle, J., & Dumont, B. (2026). Agroecological transitions reveal trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services. Science of The Total Environment, 1047, 182018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.182018