Catholic development agencies urge shift from ‘industrial agri-food’ to ‘agroecological models’

November 08, 2012

Stating that “nearly one in seven human beings is denied their basic human right to food” and that “preparing to feed an increasing population in the context of a changing climate is the defining challenge of our times,” an alliance of 16 Catholic development agencies has called for increase support of “agroecological models” of food production.

The alliance, CIDSE (Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité), was formed in 1967.

“Building resilience in production systems and the livelihood strategies of the poor is essential if communities are to adapt to both climatic and economic changes,” CIDSE stated in a recent report. “To this end, there is a need to curb the expansion of the industrial agri-food model and support agroecological models of production which are accessible to small-scale food producers, support the regenerative capacities of the earth and do not contribute to further GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions.”

The report called upon policy makers to “invest in small-scale food production; support sustainable models of production; beware of false solutions – agriculture in carbon markets and agrofuels; secure access to land, natural resources and the commons; align finance, trade and agriculture policies to realize the right to adequate food; [and] change consumption patterns and reduce food waste and post-harvest loss.”

 

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Further information:

• Agriculture: from Problem to Solution (CIDSE)