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'Prefiero Andar en mi Tierra Propia' - A Case Study on Food Sovereignty in the Southern Coast of Guatemala

Lannergren, Sandra LU (2013) MIDM71 20131
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study explores the concept of Food Sovereignty on a local level among Mayan peasant groups from three communities situated in the southern coast of Guatemala. Drawing on the analytical concepts of Social Exclusion and Unfavourable or Forced Inclusion, it inquires into how food sovereignty can help overcome challenges experienced by the peasants. In addition, it inquires into how the challenges, which are: the land situation; information and knowledge scarcity; limited market participation; plantation employment; environmental effects from large-scale agricultural production; and inadequate response from the government, relate to the peasants’ understandings of their development in terms of their cultural, economic and political... (More)
This study explores the concept of Food Sovereignty on a local level among Mayan peasant groups from three communities situated in the southern coast of Guatemala. Drawing on the analytical concepts of Social Exclusion and Unfavourable or Forced Inclusion, it inquires into how food sovereignty can help overcome challenges experienced by the peasants. In addition, it inquires into how the challenges, which are: the land situation; information and knowledge scarcity; limited market participation; plantation employment; environmental effects from large-scale agricultural production; and inadequate response from the government, relate to the peasants’ understandings of their development in terms of their cultural, economic and political situations. The study uses a multiple case study approach and draw on data collected through in-depth interviews and group discussions with peasants and organisations supporting food sovereignty. Findings point to that food sovereignty projects provide positive results on local level, but the high land limitation and unequal distribution negatively affects the projects results, thus the possibility to overcome social exclusion and unfavourable or forced inclusion. In addition, the understanding of what food sovereignty includes vary between some peasant groups. (Less)
Abstract (Spanish)
Este estudio explora el concepto de soberanía alimentaria a nivel local, entre los grupos campesinos mayas de tres comunidades situadas en la costa sur de Guatemala. Basándose en los conceptos analíticos de la exclusión social y la inclusión desfavorable o forzosa, se investiga cómo la soberanía alimentaria pueda ayudar a superar retos experimentados por los campesinos. Además, se indaga en cómo los retos, que son: la situación de la tierra, la escasez de información y conocimientos, la participación limitada de mercado, el empleo de plantaciones, los efectos ambientales de la producción agrícola a gran escala, y la respuesta inadecuada del gobierno, refieren a los campesinos comprensión de su desarrollo en términos de su situación... (More)
Este estudio explora el concepto de soberanía alimentaria a nivel local, entre los grupos campesinos mayas de tres comunidades situadas en la costa sur de Guatemala. Basándose en los conceptos analíticos de la exclusión social y la inclusión desfavorable o forzosa, se investiga cómo la soberanía alimentaria pueda ayudar a superar retos experimentados por los campesinos. Además, se indaga en cómo los retos, que son: la situación de la tierra, la escasez de información y conocimientos, la participación limitada de mercado, el empleo de plantaciones, los efectos ambientales de la producción agrícola a gran escala, y la respuesta inadecuada del gobierno, refieren a los campesinos comprensión de su desarrollo en términos de su situación cultural, económica y política. El estudio utiliza un enfoque de estudio de caso múltiple y está basado en datos recogidos a través de entrevistas a fondo y grupos de discusión con campesinos y organizaciones de apoyo a la soberanía alimentaria. Los resultados apuntan a que los proyectos de soberanía alimentaria proporcionan resultados positivos a nivel local, pero la gran limitación de las tierras y la distribución desigual afecta negativamente los resultados de los proyectos, así como la posibilidad de superar la exclusión social y la inclusión desfavorable o forzada. Además, la comprensión de lo que incluye la soberanía alimentaria varía entre algunos grupos de campesinos. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lannergren, Sandra LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM71 20131
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Unfavourable Inclusion, Social Exclusion, Land Distribution, Food Sovereignty, Mayan Peasants, Forced Inclusion, Large-Scale Agriculture, Guatemala
language
English
id
3972288
date added to LUP
2013-12-04 09:39:13
date last changed
2013-12-04 09:39:13
@misc{3972288,
  abstract     = {{This study explores the concept of Food Sovereignty on a local level among Mayan peasant groups from three communities situated in the southern coast of Guatemala. Drawing on the analytical concepts of Social Exclusion and Unfavourable or Forced Inclusion, it inquires into how food sovereignty can help overcome challenges experienced by the peasants. In addition, it inquires into how the challenges, which are: the land situation; information and knowledge scarcity; limited market participation; plantation employment; environmental effects from large-scale agricultural production; and inadequate response from the government, relate to the peasants’ understandings of their development in terms of their cultural, economic and political situations. The study uses a multiple case study approach and draw on data collected through in-depth interviews and group discussions with peasants and organisations supporting food sovereignty. Findings point to that food sovereignty projects provide positive results on local level, but the high land limitation and unequal distribution negatively affects the projects results, thus the possibility to overcome social exclusion and unfavourable or forced inclusion. In addition, the understanding of what food sovereignty includes vary between some peasant groups.}},
  author       = {{Lannergren, Sandra}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{'Prefiero Andar en mi Tierra Propia' - A Case Study on Food Sovereignty in the Southern Coast of Guatemala}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}