2025 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 8-14
Agroecology (AE) is the application of ecological concepts and principles to agricultural systems to increase their sustainability. This study aimed to conduct a multidimensional evidence-based evaluation of AE performance in Battambang Province, using the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). The study investigated two main criteria: geographical aspects in Sangkae (lowland) and Rotonak Mondol (upland) districts and AE transition levels. We preclassified 120 farms into two AE transition level categories (high-AE and low-AE) as well as a non-project farm category. Results indicated that the mean characterization of agroecological transitions (CAET) score was low (37.42%). Among ten elements covering technical and social aspects in AE, the technical performance was lower which emphasize the studied farms relied on external inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, labor, and services). Farms in the study area are increasingly used agro-inputs for increased productivity, particularly in lowland areas, using an average of 5.4 types of pesticides. The economic performance in the upland area resulted in negative total income due to climate change risks (drought and flood), pest-causing yield loss, rising agricultural input costs, loss of price of agricultural products, and difficulty in selling agricultural products. To improve the performance of agroecology transition, farmers need to save their seeds to maintain internal inputs at the farms. In addition, promotion of AE practices with technological techniques should be widely adopted at the national level, including encouraging farmers in the community to use less pesticides, adopt organic/natural fertilizers and pesticides, and apply ecological techniques.
