Urgent call to democratize knowledge for global food system overhaul

Urgent call to democratize knowledge for global food system overhaul
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 11, 2024

A newly published article in Nature Food discusses the crucial need to democratize knowledge for the transformation of global food systems. The paper, titled "Knowledge Democratization Approaches for Food Systems Transformation," highlights the importance of integrating traditional, Indigenous, and place-based knowledges into decision-making processes. This integration aims to correct oversights in current food system strategies. Professors V. Ernesto Mendez and Colin R. Anderson from the University of Vermont, who also serve as co-directors of the UVM Institute for Agroecology, are key figures behind this push.

Mendez points out the human impact of this shift, "Until now we have privileged western scientific knowledge, and this article urgently calls for us to include different types of knowledge and to recognize the people who have developed it."

The authors of the article advocate for a shift towards participatory and transdisciplinary methods that incorporate various knowledge systems, including those from Indigenous, scientific, and traditional realms. This approach is designed to produce contextually relevant solutions and establish more inclusive and equitable food systems. The authors also emphasize the importance of these methods in policy development affecting food systems.

Samara Brock from Yale University led the publication, which was part of a broader effort by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food on the Politics of Knowledge. The paper presents case studies from around the globe, such as farmer-managed natural regeneration in sub-Saharan Africa, the 1,000 Farms initiative in the USA, and the Hua Parakore system in Aotearoa New Zealand. These studies illustrate successful local involvement in knowledge generation and exchange.

Highlighting the unity among the paper's diverse contributors, Mendez comments, "It is key to note the diversity of sectors represented in the authorship- we have scientists, practitioners, staff from non-profit organizations and philanthropists- all making an urgent call for us to democratize our knowledge base as the foundation to attain an equitable and sustainable food systems transformation."

The article stresses the necessity of epistemic justice, intercultural co-creation, and mutual knowledge exchange in democratizing the knowledge-policy processes. These efforts aim to address biases and empower marginalized communities in driving food system reforms.

Research Report:Knowledge democratization approaches for food systems transformation