Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification: the values beneath the science

Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification: the values beneath the science

From Feed: a food systems podcast by TABLEdebates.org

January 22, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

This episode explores the differing values and questions behind the scientific discourses of Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification in sustainable agriculture.

What does “sustainable agriculture” actually mean, and why do scientists disagree about it? This episode explores how two influential scientific discourses - Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification - start from different values, ask different questions, and often talk past each other. Drawing on an interdisciplinary study at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, ecologist Riccardo Bommarco and ethicist Helena Rocklinsberg examine how those different approaches shape research, p...

People in this episode

Guests: Riccardo Bommarco, Helena Rocklinsberg

Topics covered

  • sustainable agriculture
  • Agroecology
  • Sustainable Intensification
  • scientific discourse
  • interdisciplinary study
  • values in science

Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • Agroecology
  • Sustainable Intensification
  • scientific disagreement
  • ecology
  • ethics
  • research

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

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