Agroecology offers ample promise for transforming Asia’s agri-food systems. A new, adaptable appraisal tool can effectively assess the progression of agroecology in the region, supporting policy design, donor engagement and local planning. By reconciling scientific rigor with local relevance, the tool provides actionable data that could strengthen top-down policy engagement and bottom-up community empowerment. It may also allow for a systematic tracking of the progression of agroecology. Optimally suited for the low-resource contexts of the Global South, this tool now waits to be integrated into national or regional monitoring frameworks where it can be smartly paired with remote sensing, targeted household surveys and Big Data approaches. Overall, the new tool could provide vital forward momentum for agroecology across the region.