Rethinking the Alternatives: Food Sovereignty as a Prerequisite for Sustainable Food Security
(2023) In Food Ethics 8(2).- Abstract
- The concept of food sovereignty is primarily taken as an alternative to the prevailing neoliberal food security model. However, the approach has hitherto not received adequate attention from policy makers. This could be because the discourse is marked by controversies and contradictions, particularly regarding its ability to address the challenges of feeding a rapidly growing global population. In response to these criticisms, this paper argues that the principles of food sovereignty, such as democratic and transparent food systems, agroecology, and local market prioritization, should be fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable food security. It acknowledges that neither food sovereignty nor food security models alone can guarantee... (More)
- The concept of food sovereignty is primarily taken as an alternative to the prevailing neoliberal food security model. However, the approach has hitherto not received adequate attention from policy makers. This could be because the discourse is marked by controversies and contradictions, particularly regarding its ability to address the challenges of feeding a rapidly growing global population. In response to these criticisms, this paper argues that the principles of food sovereignty, such as democratic and transparent food systems, agroecology, and local market prioritization, should be fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable food security. It acknowledges that neither food sovereignty nor food security models alone can guarantee long-term food security, thus advocating for a blended approach that integrates these perspectives into a complex and interconnected system. This paper makes three significant contributions to the existing literature. Firstly, it emphasizes that food sovereignty should be seen as an integral component of transforming food systems towards sustainability, rather than a complete departure from neoliberal food systems. Secondly, it highlights the importance of adopting a multi-scalar approach, where decisions and policies for transforming food systems are context-specific and tailored to local circumstances. Lastly, the paper recognizes the necessity of institutional transformations that involve nation-states, social movements, and civil society organizations as key actors in the process of food system transformation. By reframing the discussion on food sovereignty and its relationship with food security, this paper provides insights into how these concepts can be mutually reinforcing, leading to more sustainable and equitable food systems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/9d2fc90f-8f85-4af8-ac07-f58ff085173b
- author
- Byaruhanga, Ronald LU and Isgren, Ellinor LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Food Ethics
- volume
- 8
- issue
- 2
- article number
- 16
- publisher
- Springer Nature
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85163594546
- ISSN
- 2364-6861
- DOI
- 10.1007/s41055-023-00126-6
- project
- Mobilizing farmer organisations for sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 9d2fc90f-8f85-4af8-ac07-f58ff085173b
- alternative location
- https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s41055-023-00126-6.pdf?pdf=button
- date added to LUP
- 2023-08-21 12:03:39
- date last changed
- 2023-08-23 09:06:09
@article{9d2fc90f-8f85-4af8-ac07-f58ff085173b,
abstract = {{The concept of food sovereignty is primarily taken as an alternative to the prevailing neoliberal food security model. However, the approach has hitherto not received adequate attention from policy makers. This could be because the discourse is marked by controversies and contradictions, particularly regarding its ability to address the challenges of feeding a rapidly growing global population. In response to these criticisms, this paper argues that the principles of food sovereignty, such as democratic and transparent food systems, agroecology, and local market prioritization, should be fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable food security. It acknowledges that neither food sovereignty nor food security models alone can guarantee long-term food security, thus advocating for a blended approach that integrates these perspectives into a complex and interconnected system. This paper makes three significant contributions to the existing literature. Firstly, it emphasizes that food sovereignty should be seen as an integral component of transforming food systems towards sustainability, rather than a complete departure from neoliberal food systems. Secondly, it highlights the importance of adopting a multi-scalar approach, where decisions and policies for transforming food systems are context-specific and tailored to local circumstances. Lastly, the paper recognizes the necessity of institutional transformations that involve nation-states, social movements, and civil society organizations as key actors in the process of food system transformation. By reframing the discussion on food sovereignty and its relationship with food security, this paper provides insights into how these concepts can be mutually reinforcing, leading to more sustainable and equitable food systems.}},
author = {{Byaruhanga, Ronald and Isgren, Ellinor}},
issn = {{2364-6861}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
publisher = {{Springer Nature}},
series = {{Food Ethics}},
title = {{Rethinking the Alternatives: Food Sovereignty as a Prerequisite for Sustainable Food Security}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41055-023-00126-6}},
doi = {{10.1007/s41055-023-00126-6}},
volume = {{8}},
year = {{2023}},
}