Agroecology versus ecoagriculture: Balancing food production and biodiversity conservation in the midst of social inequity

Agriculture has long been regarded as a threat - one of the main threats - to biodiversity conservation.  However with increased appreciation for the livelihoods of agriculture for local communities, as well as renewed interest in non-chemical agriculture, the conservation movement is taking a second look.  Agriculture is recognised as an extensive and necessary form of land use.  Conservation aims cannot be achieved at the expense of rural livelihoods however.  In 2002 IUCN launched the Ecoagriculture Partners, an initiative that has the involvement of powerful agriculture input companies with a history of controversy and conflict with farmers.