Research by geographers at Anglia Ruskin University has explored the practices of individuals within the food system to better understand decision-making and to create a more resilient global food chain which is able to withstand shocks.
Issue
Prior to this research, there was little understanding of why, and which, decisions are taken within international organisations when a shock occurs within the global food system. There was also limited evidence on the efficacy of the practice of sustainable intensification of rural agricultural systems in the Global South.
Approach
The Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) at Anglia Ruskin University has explored the dynamics involved in responses associated with the management of food systems.
Research adopted two approaches: a risk focus - researching markets and national or international governments; and an opportunity focus - researching farmers, communities and local governments.
Impact
Work by the GCI led to the inclusion of food risk in the US National Defence Authorization Act. This Act sets out the budget for the US Department of Defence and included a commitment that the Department should produce a report on global food system vulnerabilities for congressional defence committees.
In 2018, the researchers contributed to the development of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Sustainable Food and Agriculture Framework by providing evidence for the efficacy of farmer-led models of sustainable intensification. The potential for sustainable intensification to contribute to yield improvements while improving environmental and social outcomes was also cited in the recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL) published in 2019.
The research supported the roll-out of sustainable intensification policies in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Researchers conducted the first analysis of the Zero Budget Natural Farming initiative which has been adopted by over 165,000 farmers in Andhra Pradesh since 2016, and found that these farming methods do result in higher yields and incomes.
More information
Institution: Anglia Ruskin University
Researchers: Professor Aled Jones, Dr Zareen Bharucha, Dr Roberto Pasqualino, Dr Davide Natalini