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One size doesn’t fit all: regional differences in priorities for food system transformation

Author

Listed:
  • Just Dengerink

    (Independent Sustainable Food Systems Consultant
    Wageningen University & Research)

  • Florentine Dirks

    (Wageningen University & Research)

  • Eunice Likoko

    (Wageningen University & Research)

  • Joost Guijt

    (Wageningen University & Research)

Abstract

The growing attention for food systems in policy debates has highlighted the systemic linkages between desired food system outcomes. There is an increased recognition that systemic changes are required to improve access to healthy, sustainable diets. While there is abundant academic analysis on the global need for food system transformation, regional differences in food system transformation priorities have received limited scholarly attention. This article aims to address this gap by analysing the results of a regional consultation study about respondents’ perceptions of the needs and modalities for food systems transformation. Data collection consisted of an online survey among 621 agri-food professionals and in-depth interviews among 33 food system experts from different regions across the world. The study shows how different stakeholders across the world prioritise food system drivers, food system challenges and food system transformation strategies. Region, organisational background, countries’ level of food system transformation, political and socio-economic structure are critical factors in determining such priorities. The study highlights relevant food system differences and priorities between food system actors. These differences have important policy implications for the agendas of stakeholders in their regional priorities in food systems transformation. While there is much agreement across regions on the key drivers of different food system challenges, which food system challenge is considered most urgent and which food system transformation strategy deserves most priority, differs greatly between regions. This article shows the importance of including regional and local perspectives in policy debates on the directions food system transformations should take and the need to identify such differences methodically.

Suggested Citation

  • Just Dengerink & Florentine Dirks & Eunice Likoko & Joost Guijt, 2021. "One size doesn’t fit all: regional differences in priorities for food system transformation," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(6), pages 1455-1466, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:13:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1007_s12571-021-01222-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-021-01222-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ruben, Ruerd & Cavatassi, Romina & Lipper, Leslie & Smaling, Eric & Winter, Paul, 2022. "Research Series 67: Towards food systems transformation – five paradigm shifts for healthy, inclusive and sustainable food systems," IFAD Research Series 320667, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
    2. Similoluwa Felicia Olowo & Abiodun Olusola Omotayo & Ibraheem Oduola Lawal & Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, 2022. "Improving Rural Livelihood through the Cultivation of Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables: Evidence from Ondo State, Nigeria," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Serge Savary & Stephen Waddington & Sonia Akter & Conny J. M. Almekinders & Jody Harris & Lise Korsten & Reimund P. Rötter & Goedele den Broeck, 2022. "Revisiting food security in 2021: an overview of the past year," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, February.

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