TITLE:
Reclaiming Agroecology: From Market Logic to Critical Food Sovereignty
AUTHORS:
Hellen Abbo Owasa, Clovis Kabaseke
KEYWORDS:
Critical Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Uganda
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Climate Change,
Vol.13 No.4,
December
25,
2024
ABSTRACT: This article advocates for a transformative approach to food and agriculture that challenges market-driven practices, promoting a more equitable, sustainable, and locally controlled food system. It emphasizes the role of grassroots movements in reclaiming agricultural practices that prioritize human and environmental needs over corporate interests. Key concepts include agroecology, a holistic farming approach that enhances resilience and social equity, and critical agroecology, which critiques the mainstream focus on food security and promotes food sovereignty to ensure local control. The article also discusses the recognition of agroecology by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) since 2014, yet highlights the constraints imposed by market frameworks that limit its effectiveness in addressing hunger and climate change. It identifies the paradox of increased food production alongside rising hunger, attributing this to access issues rather than availability, and critiques the capitalist agricultural model for fostering environmental degradation and social inequity. Methodologically, the study involved a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, focusing on peer-reviewed works from the last 10-15 years to explore themes related to market logic, food sovereignty, and agroecology. Findings were organized into three main areas: the impact of market-driven practices, principles of food sovereignty, and community-led transitions to agroecological practices. The article concludes by calling for a shift towards critical agroecology and food sovereignty, recommending policy reforms, and highlighting the importance of grassroots initiatives for building resilient food systems.