Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments on the scope of the report on Agroecological approaches and other innovations for sustainable agriculture and food systems. I would like to provide the following comments on the scope of the report.
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Revival of traditional forms of small-scale local food productions in the new context needs to be given attention. One such practice that is suggested in this context is the revival of home gardening practices in both rural and urban areas for food production, as taking place in Kerala (India). The following link gives some insights in this regard. https://steps-centre.org/blog/kerala-making-transition-towards-healthy-home-grown-food/
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With regard to the above mentioned point, it is further suggested that traditional small-scale food production systems, based on agroecological practices, such as home-gardening or kitchen gardening are often ignored in the policy agenda. They are not considered in the agricultural census in many countries and hence does not receive adequate attention for its protection and further expansion.
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With regard to filling the technology gaps, emphasis should be given to shaping from bottom up approaches that are part of the local culture and traditions, rather than mere import of capital-intensive technologies from a different context. Furthermore, developing “context-specific solutions, adapted to local food systems and local ecosystems” should also be based on reinforcing the existing practices in the area, rather than completely altering it.
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The local biodiversity should be protected while adoption of new technologies and practices.
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The bottom-up actors also should receive a place in the decision making and governance processes regarding the choice and implementation of agroecological innovations.
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In addition to the types of agricultural practices and food production systems that are sustainable and nature friendly, it also need to give emphasis on finding new and innovative spaces for food production, or to shift the idea of food production from farms to other arenas such as backyards, school compounds, compounds or rooftops of government and private buildings etc. However, such interventions should be based on agroecological principles rather than techno-managerial solutions.
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Adoption of agroecological practices should not end in a situation where it takes the unsustainable paths of conventional agri-food systems. This has to be taken care of especially when it comes to the scale-up of agroecological practices. Therefore, in addition to adoption of agroecology and other innovative measures to ensure sustainability in agri-food systems, it also needs to think about a new way of delivering the services in the journey from production to the table.
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Food production should also be a responsibility of the consumer. So where ever it is possible, even production of a small portion of one’s own food should be encouraged by the government. It can be through community gardening, allotment gardening, kitchen gardening, rooftop gardening etc. Just like ornamental gardening, food gardening also needs to become an agenda to be considered while designing any building for the residential or commercial purpose.
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Development of agroecological technologies and practices are required to promote urban food production. If urban food production is not incorporated into the policy agenda, the urban systems would continue to be sites of consumption and exporting wastes to its hinterlands, creating an unsustainable metabolism.
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There should be an adequate mechanism from the government side to properly document such initiatives and incentivise such initiatives.
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Promotion of local co-operatives amongst small food producers those who follow agroecology, even from kitchen/rooftop gardens, should be promoted to ensure sustainability of these production systems with regard to supply chains.
Anita Pinheiro