Transformation and justice in food systems

Major change is needed in how our food is grown, processed and traded. This change needs to tackle both the deep-rooted inequities and vulnerabilities in the global industrial food system and sustain the world’s growing population in a rapidly warming climate.

Transformation in agriculture has a chequered history, particularly in the countries of the Global South. The ‘Green Revolution’ that swept through much of Asia and South America in the 1970s and 80s aimed to increase production and crop yields, but its focus on new technologies was criticised for following the agenda of donors and industry more than the needs of the developing world farmers.

An international team, involving researchers from the University of Leeds, is keen that future changes take account of the lessons of the past. They’ve developed a framework to help other researchers and policymakers ensure that future transformations are both just and fair.

Impact

• Just climate action: advocating for equitable food systems transformation in historically marginalised countries.

Key information

• Major funders: Global Challenges Research Fund
• Partners and collaborators: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research's Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CGIAR-CCAFS), World Agroforestry (ICRAF), CARE International
• Disciplines: food and environment, agriculture, health
• Investigators: Professor Stephen Whitfield, Dr Rebecca Sarku, Dr Ruth Smith.

Keywords: international collaboration, sustainable food systems, partnerships, regenerative agriculture, food and nutrition