Enhancing agroecological transitions: From locally-adapted protocols to a global transdisciplinary applied approach

The adoption of biodiversity-based approaches to farming that promotes ecosystem services may fail when knowledge is not locally developed or adapted. Economic, social, logistical, or human-related constrains may arise as well at any stage, influencing different groups of adopters. On the other hand, adoption success is traditionally analyzed as a binary dependent variable. Success should be defined by incorporating insights from adoption of technology knowledge (i.e., “adoption pathways”). Indeed, there will be more than one way to reduce the adoption gap of certain technologies, as farmers are culturally different and therefore, differential and tailored strategies will be necessary to increase overall adoption. We here propose that a more tailored approach that considers the spatial and temporal variability in farmers’ intentions and perceptions to generate, adapt and adopt new technologies is needed. To make this happen we are proposing four necessary steps: 1) Evidence-Based and Experience-Based Knowledge; 2) Standardization of Decision-Relevant Metrics; 3) Communicating Knowledge to Bold Farmers (Early Adopters) and 4) Encourage Horizontal Participatory Knowledge Exchange and Co-Creation. • Adoption of sustainable agriculture is an important driver of human well-being • Advancing its uptake will require differential strategies for success • Variability in farmers’ perceptions and intentions to adopt must be considered • Adoption pathways addressing farmers’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are key • Technological and traditional knowledge must be integrated for adoption increase