Learning module 3: Concrete examples
Guiding questions:
- What are examples of commonly observed synergies and trade-offs between sustainability goals in food, land and water systems?
- What are sustainability goals often underrepresented in anticipating synergies and trade-offs?
Here we provide an overview of the examples of synergies and tradeoffs in agricultural systems that we brought together for this module. The selected Case studies describe examples of commonly observed trade-offs between goals (e.g. productivity vs. environmental and social sustainability) but also between decision variables (e.g. crop used as feed or as green manure) and between spatial levels (e.g. farm versus landscape level). Next to trade-offs, the contributions also reveal that often synergies can be achieved, e.g. between environmental outcomes and livelihood opportunities for women as described in the Lessons learned.
For more of an orientation about this module click here or dive directly into the learning materials below

interview
Dr. K. Lal elaborates on the potential of fisheries and the options to enhance land-water connections. He explains why fostering landscape and ecosystem services approaches for fish conservation and sustainable use are important.
By Kuldeep K. Lal
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interview
Wuletawu Abera discusses how landscape restoration approaches are important and can be managed for multiple sustainability goals in Ethiopia.
By Wuletawu Abera
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Case study
Nutrient flows and intensification options for smallholder farmers of the Lao uplands.
By Sabine Douxchamps
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Case study
Applied systems approach to modeling forest landscape restoration outcomes in Northern Ethiopia.
By Yvonne Tamba, Yusuf Karimjee, Joshua Wafula and Ermias Betemariam
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Case study
Farm-scale trade-offs between legume use as forage versus green manure.
By Sabine Douxchamps
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Case study
How agricultural intensification increased inequality in Southwestern Uganda.
By Anne Rietveld
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Case study
Reconciling trade-offs between gender equality and carbon mitigation and adaptation in Burkina Faso.
By Marlène Elias
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Case study
An assessment of the impact of water infrastructure in the Tana Basin on Ecosystem Services.
By Matthew P. Mc Cartney
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Case study
The push-pull system needs to better consider farmers’ constraints and needs.
By Yodit Kedebe
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Case study
An emerging transition towards less diversified food access coupled with loss of forest cover and agricultural biodiversity.
By Genowefa Blundo-Canto
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Case study
Gender-equitable participation in wetland co-management shows synergies between women’s empowerment and mangrove conservation.
By Marlène Elias
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Case study
FAO. 2021. Synergies and trade-offs in climate-smart agriculture – An approach to systematic assessment. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5243en
By Food and Agriculture Organization
read moreQuestion for reflection
- Do you recognize some of the discussed synergies and tradeoffs also in your (working) environment? Are patterns similar or different?
- From your perspective, what are common conflicting objectives related to livestock? And to fisheries or crop production?
Some geographical examples:















