Pathways towards agroecological food systems: small‐scale farmers at  the centre of the transitions  Learning from participatory research and action approaches to transforming food systems April 2017 Elise Wach 1 , Santiago Ripoll 2 , Rachael Taylor 3 , Seydou Wane 4 , Tabara Ndiaye 5 , Jorge Irán Vásquez Zeledón 6 , Clare Ferguson 7 , Mamadou Ousseynou Ly 8 , Mamadou Drame 9 , Julio Hector Sanchez Gutierrez, & Chris Smaje 10 Context and overview Now more than ever, evidence overwhelmingly concludes that our food systems are not currently working to nourish our populations, ecosystems, economies, or social connections. Agroecological approaches have been shown as having potential to address many of these problems in the mainstream food system, particularly when combined with concepts of food sovereignty, which localise control, and place producers and consumers at the centre of decision‐making (Pretty et al 2006, Chappell and LaValle 2009, Sevilla Guzman and Woodgate 2003). However, knowing the principles and the end goals, while invaluable, is not enough. We need to transition from the food systems we currently have to the food systems we envision for future generations. Where do we begin and who should lead that process? In line with principles of food sovereignty, that transition needs to be led and owned not by outside experts or researchers but by the people most directly affected by and typically excluded from decision making within the current food system (i.e. small‐ and medium ‐scale farmers, workers involved in harvesting and food processing, cottage manufacturers and consumers across socioeconomic classes). It must also respond to the current level of globalisation of our food systems. For example, a decision to localise consumption in one country can greatly affect export‐focused producers and economies in another. In order to address these challenges, a consortium of farmer‐led organisations in Nicaragua, Senegal and England along with the University of Sussex are engaging in participatory systemic research. The approach is designed to answer the overarching questions: What are the constraints to a transition of our current food system into an agroecological food system? What are the pathways for scaling up agroecological food systems which: (i) Improve food security and nutrition of small farmers and their communities; (ii) Enhance and leverage ecosystems; (iii) Contribute to healthy social relationships; and, (iv) Support sustainable livelihoods. Based on their own knowledge and experiences as producers, a group of small and medium scale agroecological farmers in each country is engaging in an analysis of their food systems, identifying areas of research, analysing findings and, in collaboration with other relevant actors, are developing actionable strategies to transition to more sustainable and just food systems. They are also learning from the similar and contrasting challenges and opportunities experienced by farmers in the other country contexts, and reflecting 1 Institute of Development Studies / STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, United Kingdom, E.Wach@ids.ac.uk 2 Institute of Development Studies / STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, United Kingdom 3 Science and Policy Research Unit / Brighton and Sussex Universities Food Network, United Kingdom 4 Forum Pour un Développment Durable et Endogène (FODDE), Senegal 5 Forum Pour un Développment Durable et Endogène (FODDE) / New Field Foundation, Senegal 6 Programa De Campesino a Campesino UNAG, Nicaragua 7 SEED International / Land Workers Alliance, United Kingdom 8 Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricole (ISRA), Senegal 9 Forum Pour un Développment Durable et Endogène (FODDE), Senegal 10 Land Workers Alliance, United Kingdom