scholarly journals Managing Sustainable Transitions: Institutional Innovations from India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6076
Author(s):  
Shambu Prasad Chebrolu ◽  
Deborah Dutta

Despite the widespread disruptions of lives and livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it could also be seen as a gamechanger. The post-pandemic recovery should address fundamental questions concerning our food systems. Is it possible to reset existing ecologically unsustainable production systems towards healthier and more connected systems of conscious consumers and ecologically oriented farmers? Based on three illustrative cases from different parts of India, we show how managing transitions towards sustainability require institutional innovations and new intermediaries that build agency, change relations, and transform structures in food systems. Lessons from three diverse geographies and commodities in India are presented: urban farming initiatives in Mumbai, conscious consumer initiatives in semi-urban Gujarat for pesticide-free mangoes, and resource-poor arid regions of Andhra Pradesh. Through these examples, we show that, beyond the technological solutions, institutional innovations such as urban community-supported farming models, Participatory Guarantee Schemes, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can enable sustainable transitions. Sustainable lifestyles in a post COVID-19 world, as the cases show, require collective experimentation with producers that go beyond changed consumer behaviour to transform structures in food systems.

Author(s):  
Anneli Lofstedt ◽  
Baukje de Roos ◽  
Paul G. Fernandes

Abstract Purpose To review the seafood dietary recommendations of European countries and compare them to national seafood supplies. Methods Current seafood dietary recommendations were collated from national health authorities across Europe. Food balance sheets were downloaded from the FAO, and appropriate conversion factors were applied to each seafood commodity. Average net per capita seafood supplies from 2007 to 2017 were derived from data on imports and production for food from both capture fisheries and aquaculture, accounting for exports. Results Both national dietary recommendations and seafood supplies varied considerably throughout Europe. At a national level, on a per capita basis, only 13 out of the 31 of European dietary recommendations for fish consumption were satisfied by national seafood supplies. Most of the countries with coastal access, as well as those with traditional fish-eating cultures, such as France and countries in Northern Europe, had adequate seafood supplies to meet their recommendations. The landlocked countries of Central and Eastern Europe did not have enough seafood supplies to satisfy their recommendations. Conclusions Our findings emphasise the need to not only consider consumer health outcomes when developing and advocating dietary recommendations, but also the sustainability of food production systems. As many foods are not necessarily locally sourced but traded as part of global production and distribution systems, it is important to consider greater consistency between national dietary recommendations to facilitate more sustainable marine food systems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2498-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah W James ◽  
Sharon Friel

AbstractObjectiveTo determine key points of intervention in urban food systems to improve the climate resilience, equity and healthfulness of the whole system.DesignThe paper brings together evidence from a 3-year, Australia-based mixed-methods research project focused on climate change adaptation, cities, food systems and health. In an integrated analysis of the three research domains – encompassing the production, distribution and consumption sectors of the food chain – the paper examines the efficacy of various food subsystems (industrial, alternative commercial and civic) in achieving climate resilience and good nutrition.SettingGreater Western Sydney, Australia.SubjectsPrimary producers, retailers and consumers in Western Sydney.ResultsThis overarching analysis of the tripartite study found that: (i) industrial food production systems can be more environmentally sustainable than alternative systems, indicating the importance of multiple food subsystems for food security; (ii) a variety of food distributors stocking healthy and sustainable items is required to ensure that these items are accessible, affordable and available to all; and (iii) it is not enough that healthy and sustainable foods are produced or sold, consumers must also want to consume them. In summary, a resilient urban food system requires that healthy and sustainable food items are produced, that consumers can attain them and that they actually wish to purchase them.ConclusionsThis capstone paper found that the interconnected nature of the different sectors in the food system means that to improve environmental sustainability, equity and population health outcomes, action should focus on the system as a whole and not just on any one sector.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Chalmer

Global food security is dependent on ecologically viable production systems, but current agricultural practices are often at odds with environmental sustainability. Resolving this disparity is a huge task, but there is much that can be learned from traditional food production systems that persisted for thousands of years. Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future describes the ecological history of food production systems in Australia, showing how Aboriginal food systems collapsed when European farming methods were imposed on bushlands. The industrialised agricultural systems that are now prevalent across the world require constant input of finite resources, and continue to cause destructive environmental change. This book explores the damage that has arisen from farming systems unsuited to their environment, and presents compelling evidence that producing food is an ecological process that needs to be rethought in order to ensure resilient food production into the future. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context.


2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Holdaway ◽  
PC Fanning ◽  
DC Witter

Recent erosion in arid regions of western NSW has exposed large areas that are scattered with stone artefacts manufactured by Aboriginal people in prehistory. These exposures offer an opportunity for archaeologists to study the artefacts abandoned by Aboriginal people through time and to compare those artefacts that accumulate in different parts of the landscape. To reconstruct the nature of prehistoric behaviour in the rangelands, two approaches are needed. First, the geomorphological context of the artefacts needs to be considered since exposure of the artefacts is a function of landscape history. Second, large areas (measured in thousands of square metres) and large numbers of artefacts need to be considered if patterns reflecting long-term abandonment behaviour by Aboriginal people are to be identified. This paper reports on the Western New South Wales Archaeological Program (WNSWAP) which was initiated in 1995 to study surface archaeology in the rangelands. Geomorphological studies are combined with artefact analysis using geographic information system software to investigate Aboriginal stone artefact scatters and associated features such as heat retainer hearths, in a landscape context. Results suggest that apparently random scatters of stone artefacts are in fact patterned in ways which inform on prehistoric Aboriginal settlement of the rangelands. Key words: Aboriginal stone artefacts; rangelands; landscape archaeology; geomorphology; GIs


1963 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 588-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Sinha ◽  
H. A. H. Wallace

AbstractTetranychus sinhai Baker (Acarina, Tetranychidae), a new pest was observed to infest barley, wheat, and rye crops in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. In barley, typical symptoms of the mite attack are manifested by a darkening of leaves, followed by yellowing and wilting from the bend of the leaf to its tip. The increase in number of mites per leaf was reflected by the showing of advanced symptoms on leaves. One hundred and sixty-five barley varieties from different parts of the world were examined for their reaction to T. sinhai infestation in the field. Of these 15 were found to be resistant, 47 moderately resistant, 88 moderately susceptible, and 15 susceptible. In general, the barley varieties grown in arid regions of the world appeared to be more resistant to T. sinhai infestation.The most commonly grown barley varieties in Canada, Parkland, and Montcalm, were moderately susceptible. Only two North American varieties, Canadian Lake Shore–C.I. 2750, and Gem C.I. 7243 showed high resistance to T. sinhai infestation.


Perspektif ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Suci Wulandari ◽  
Sumanto Sumanto ◽  
Saefudin Saefudin

<p>Biomassa tanaman perkebunan dapat dimanfaatkan untuk pangan, pakan, dan bioenergi. Hasil penelitian dan perkembangan teknologi telah mendorong pemanfaatan biomassa bagian-bagian tanaman tersebut. Tanaman perkebunan memiliki potensi besar untuk menghasilkan biomassa yang dapat dimanfaatkan dalam pengembangan energi terbarukan. Pemetaan potensi biomassa telah banyak dilakukan pada tanaman perkebunan, seperti pada: tebu, kakao, kelapa sawit, kemiri sunan, jarak pagar, kopi, kelapa dalam, karet dan teh. Pengembangan sistem produksi pangan dan biomassa untuk pembangkit energi melalui sistem multi tanam berbasis komoditas perkebunan telah dikembangkan.  Di Kabupaten Aceh Timur telah dilakukan pengembangan sistem agroindustri juga memanfaatkan semua produk samping, mendorong daur ulang dan pemanfaatan residu. Pemanfaatan potensi bioenergi masih dihadapkan pada berbagai kendala distribusi, kontinuitas pasokan bahan dan aspek ekonomi. Menyikapi hal tersebut langkah strategis dapat dilakukan melalui: analisis neraca karbon, alokasi lahan, pemanfaatan lahan, pemanfaatan sumber daya secara berkelanjutan, dukungan teknologi, fokus pada nilai tambah yang tinggi dan perbaikan tata kelola. Selanjutnya perbaikan pada pengembangan sistem pangan energi terpadu dapat ditempuh melalui: (1) sosialisasi dari inovasi teknologi, (2) membentuk kawasan-kawasan pertanian terpadu di daerah sentra pengembangan dan (3) memperkuat kelembagaan petani untuk mengembangkan agroindustri.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong>ABSTRACT</p><p align="center">Biomass from estate crops can be used for food, feed, and bioenergy. The results of research and technological developments have encouraged the utilization of biomass of these plant parts. Plantation crops have great potential to produce biomass that can be utilized in the development of renewable energy. Mapping of biomass potential has been carried out in plantation crops, such as: sugar cane, cocoa, oil palm, candlenut, jatropha, coffee, deep coconut, rubber, and tea. The development of food and biomass production systems for energy generation through a commodity-based multi-cropping system has been developed. In East Aceh District an agro-industrial system development has also been carried out utilizing all byproducts, encouraging recycling and utilizing residues. The utilization of bioenergy is still faced with various distribution constraints, continuity of material supply and economic aspects. In response to this, strategic steps can be taken through carbon balance analysis, land allocation, land use, sustainable use of resources, technology support, focus on high added value and improved governance. Furthermore, improvements to the development of integrated energy food systems can be pursued through (1) socialization of technological innovations, (2) establishing integrated agricultural areas in plant centers and (3) strengthening farmer institutions to develop agro-industries.</p><p> </p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-172
Author(s):  
Christopher Maughan ◽  
Christopher Maughan

Urban gardening finds itself at a juncture – not only are crises caused and exacerbated by the industrial food system urgently demonstrating the need for more localised, sustainable, and democratically-determined food systems, but alternative food movements are increasingly negotiating crises of their own. Critical Foodscapes was a one-day conference part-funded by Warwick’s Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) and the Food GRP. The conference was put together with the intention of bringing a ‘critical studies’ approach to the emerging research area of urban community food growing; namely, to put critical – but constructive – pressure on some of the assumptions which underlie current theory and practice of the various forms of urban food growing. This article offers some reflections on the conference itself as well as on the prospects for urban gardening more generally.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabelle Wilson ◽  
Roland Wilson ◽  
Robyn Delbridge ◽  
Emma Tonkin ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT As the oldest continuous living civilizations in the world, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have strength, tenacity, and resilience. Initial colonization of the landscape included violent dispossession and removal of people from Country to expand European land tenure and production systems, loss of knowledge holders through frontier violence, and formal government policies of segregation and assimilation designed to destroy ontological relationships with Country and kin. The ongoing manifestations of colonialism continue to affect food systems and food knowledges of Aboriginal peoples, and have led to severe health inequities and disproportionate rates of nutrition-related health conditions. There is an urgent need to collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to address nutrition and its underlying determinants in a way that integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ understandings of food and food systems, health, healing, and well-being. We use the existing literature to discuss current ways that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are portrayed in the literature in relation to nutrition, identify knowledge gaps that require further research, and propose a new way forward.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Smeets-Kristkova ◽  
Thom Achterbosch ◽  
Marijke Kuiper

Nigeria is one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Strong GDP and population growth coupled with urbanization trends place tremendous pressures on natural resources and the food systems that are dependent on them. Understanding the impact of these “mega trends” is important to identify key leverage points for navigating towards improved nutrition and food security in Nigeria. This paper contributes to the Foresight Project of the Food Systems for Healthier Diets which aims to analyse how the food system in Nigeria is expected to transform in the next decades, and to identify the leverage points for making sure that the transformation contributes to balanced consumer diets. For the food systems foresight, a well-established global economy-wide model, MAGNET, is applied that enables to capture the interlinkages among different food industry players in one consistent framework. By linking MAGNET to the GENUS nutritional database, it is further possible to relate the developments occurring on a macro-level with detailed macro and micronutrient consumption. Model projections suggest that a process of intensification of agriculture in combination with land substitution appears critical for the evolution of food and nutrition security, and for shifts towards healthy diets for the population. Intensification results in greater diversity of the production systems, which in turn cascades into positive effects on the diversity in the food supply and better food security outcomes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document