Germany and India, among the top 20 countries most affected by climate change, face significant agricultural vulnerability. Conventional farming practices in both countries heavily rely on external chemical inputs, over-exploit water resources, and degrade soil health, biodiversity, and human health. Though sustainable agricultural practices exist, policy frameworks still lack a coherent vision for agri-food system transformation. Barriers to transformation stem from inadequacies in promoting sustainable, climate-adaptive farming at scale, requiring governance-level changes.This study explores agroecology’s potential to transform agri-food systems towards sustainability and resilience, framed within the Indo-German Lighthouse Initiative. It analyses how adaptive policies can promote climate-resilient, water-saving agriculture in Germany (Brandenburg) and India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka). Using the FAO’s ten elements of agroecology and Swanson’s adaptive policy principles, the study combines primary and secondary data, including farmer interviews, policy actor interviews, and field observations.Findings show multiple policies promote agroecological elements, yet conventional agriculture remains heavily supported. Positive shifts exist, especially through Andhra Pradesh’s Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme. Challenges include policy incoherence, limited decentralisation, and weak farmer organisation, particularly in Brandenburg. Adaptive policy principles such as multi-stakeholder deliberation, enabling self-organisation, decentralising decision-making, and formalised review processes are critical to advancing agroecological transitions.The study recommends strengthening local-level structures, ensuring policy coherence, integrating water management into agroecological strategies, and fostering continuous learning frameworks. Applying adaptive policy principles within governance can build more resilient, sustainable agri-food systems responsive to climate change.