Abstract
Much has been written about food security, nutrition security and the ability of people to access their food needs. Food sovereignty and the associated ability of people to participate in the production, distribution and consumption decisions of their food have been at the fringe of this discussion. Linked with this is the debate on the question of pursuing policies of food self-sufficiency or policies of self-reliance where food imports are considered a natural extension of food security. Examining the elements of food security through the food system participation framework of food sovereignty is an opportunity worthy of further exploration.This paper seeks to add a dimension to the understanding of food security by considering the value that a food sovereignty perspective has on the right to access food that is nutritious and safe for consumption. Current themes are cited and reviewed, and the implications of both food security and food sovereignty perspectives for the food system are argued. Agricultural trade liberalisation has benefited some societies and harmed others. To this end, the Global Strategic Framework (the Framework) on Food Security and Nutrition has recently incorporated the philosophy of the food sovereignty movement into its guidelines. The Framework provides an opportunity to view food security through a lens of food sovereignty providing guidance for all societies on how to safeguard their food security.
Highlights
Population growth, increased consumption of animal proteins, and the emergence of biofuels as an alternative use of grains and other agricultural products have been cited as reasons for the recent increase in food prices after a 150 year period of relative food price decline (Koning et al, 2008; Koning & Van Ittersum, 2009)
Emerging from the 1996 World Food Summit (FAO, 1996), an acceptable definition remains as that stated in the Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition (CFS, 2015): “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”
The aim of this paper is to explore the case for the food sovereignty movement offering both an economic and a political perspective
Summary
Population growth, increased consumption of animal proteins, and the emergence of biofuels as an alternative use of grains and other agricultural products have been cited as reasons for the recent increase in food prices after a 150 year period of relative food price decline (Koning et al, 2008; Koning & Van Ittersum, 2009). The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) replaced the MDG in 2015 with the aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all (UN, 2016a). This new program takes the number of goals from eight to 17, splitting the original first goal of the MDG into two new goals, No Poverty and Zero Hunger with the third new jas.ccsenet.org. By 2030, the ambitious second goal aims to end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. International programs are aimed at supporting at risk communities and have been successful to a point, achieving nutrition security through international trade
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