Emerging responses to the COVID-19 crisis from family farming and the agroecology movement in Latin America – A rediscovery of food, farmers and collective action. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tittonell, P.; Fernandez, M.; El Mujtar, V.E.; Preiss, P.V.; Sarapura, S.; Laborda, L.; Mendonça, M.A.; Alvarez, V.E.; Fernandes, G.B.; Petersen, P.; Cardoso, I.M.
• Is Part Of: Agricultural systems. Volume 190(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Family farming -- Agroecology -- Pandemic -- Social movement -- Short chains -- Food policies -- Vulnerability; Agricultural systems -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 338.16
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-521X

Abstract

Abstract: CONTEXT: In Latin America, the so-called informal sector associated with family farming and the agroecology movements were instrumental at coping with and adapting to the COVID-19 challenges. OBJECTIVE: To assess the nature and extent of the early initiatives (first three months) deployed by this informal sector to cope with and adapt to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food production and consumption in several countries of the region. METHODS: We used key used informant consultation (n = 168), an online survey (n = 125) and the detailed characterisation of regional case studies (n = 4). Textual data was analysed and categorised using Reinert's method, combined with similarity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 65% of the initiatives were 'local' in terms of geographic reach, 30% of them started within the first month after the pandemic and most of them were urban or urban-rural, whereas only 29% of them were exclusively rural. The analysis of the textual information captured through the survey revealed four major types of initiatives that were deployed or adapted in response to COVID-19: 1. Direct producer-to-consumer food sales, generally existing before the COVID-19 crisis but adapted/strengthened to cope with it; 2. Short value chains that linked rural and urban organisations and individuals supported by national or local governments, readapted through new health and safety protocols; 3. Newly developed support and training programs on sustainable food production for self-consumption or local commerce, in rural, urban or peri-urban settings; 4. Food assistance and aid initiatives focusing on vulnerable populations, relying on solidarity networks associated with the agroecological movement. SIGNIFICANCE: The pandemic highlighted the key role played by local food systems and value chains and the need to strengthening them through public policies, as a way to build food resilience in times of crisis. Graphical abstract: Responses to the COVID-19 crisis from family farming in Latin America. Photos from the initiatives were provided by the survey respondents with the corresponding consent for their use. Unlabelled Image Highlights: The alternative, informal sectors of the food system reacted early than at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. The family agriculture sector deployed new ways of producing and marketing food to cope with COVID-19. The agroecology movement contributed organizational and capacity development among producers and consumers. New producer-consumer partnerships and short food chains emerged that bring benefits beyond COVID-19 adaptation. The COVID-19 pandemic connected people with food, people with farming, and people with people.