Vladislav Popov, Professor at the Department of Agroecology at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, explains in S3, E12 that "Agrobiodiversity" regards the abundance of plants and animals, and their varieties, on farm land. Unlike the perspective of producers and consumers, agrobiodiversity studies concern what is below the ground more than what is visible to the naked eye: the bioactive components in the soil, fruit and vegetables. It interfaces with farmers to help restore organic matter to the soil so they can substitute chemical fertilisers, and help maximise crop yields without compromising biological diversity.
The food security of many societies around the world depends on Agrobiodiversity, and the sustainable management of the various biological resources important for food and agriculture is fundamental to policies like the European Union's 'Farm to Fork Strategy'. Studies show the advantages of including a variety of land use practices - zero tillage as against traditional tillage, mulching, planting different varieties and mixed crops - instead of relying on monocultures and pesticides that weaken the land and destroy beneficial insects.