ABSTRACT
Part of the difficulty with exploring the evidence for sustainable intensification is that contexts, practices and outcomes vary markedly across different types of farming system. This diversity and complexity calls for new methodological approaches, and research questions. Yet, existing assessments show reason for optimism. Cross-country and cross-case comparisons show significant net benefits from a variety of technologies and practices. The largest study to date analysed 286 projects in 57 countries, finding a mean relative yield increase was 79 per cent. Other positive externalities include better management of pests, higher biodiversity, carbon sequestration and a variety of human development benefits for small farmers in developing countries.
