The global imperative to transition towards sustainable agriculture is critical for ensuring food security, environmental health, and socio-economic resilience. This study conducts a comparative analysis of sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya and Romania, two nations with distinct agro-ecological, historical, and socio-economic contexts. Through a systematic review of policy documents, scientific literature, and field-based case studies, we assessed the adoption, drivers, and impacts of key sustainable practices, including organic farming, agroecology, conservation agriculture, and integrated pest management. In Kenya, sustainability is largely driven by necessity and grassroots movements, with smallholder farmers employing practices such as crop diversification, push-pull technology, and manure composting to enhance soil fertility and resilience against climate variability. Conversely, in Romania, the adoption is more influenced by European Union policies and market incentives, with a growing focus on organic farming, precision agriculture, and the maintenance of High Nature Value farmlands. Our analysis reveals that while both countries face challenges related to economic viability and knowledge dissemination, the barriers differ significantly. Kenyan farmers grapple with limited access to resources, land tenure issues, and inadequate extension services, whereas Romanian farmers contend with bureaucratic hurdles, high certification costs, and the legacy of post-communist land fragmentation. Despite these challenges, successful models exist in both contexts, demonstrating improved soil health, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced livelihoods. The study concludes that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. Promoting sustainable agriculture requires context-specific strategies that leverage local knowledge in Kenya and policy-market synergies in Romania, while fostering cross-learning on participatory research and value chain development to build resilient and equitable food systems.

sustainable agriculture, adapting strategies, food security, climate changes, resilient agricultural systems

agronomy

Presentation: poster