Conference 2021 Panel Recap - "Governing Territorial Food Systems in a World of Complexity"
Lauren Martin, Dawn Morrison, Peter Phillips, and Melana Roberts had an interactive dialogue, addressing how territoriality affects the complexity of food systems.
First, two questions arose: In what dimensions of the food systems do you spend your professional and personal time? And how is the term "territorial food system" used or understood in your area of work – or when you think of "territorial food systems" what first comes to mind for you?
Lauren believes that the territorial food system is complex, with many aspects to consider, including sustainability, and production capacity. In the cattle context, she emphasizes beef’s place in the food system, and how cows get to the food market. From a commodity perspective, territoriality has boundaries which need to be broken down to answer complex food system questions.
Dawn continued this conversation by stating her views as an Indigenous woman. It is tremendously important to understand the social disparity that indigenous communities have faced. She emphasizes that Indigenous communities and traditions are in crisis. For her, territoriality is about social and environmental justice; it is about transcending beyond the fragmented system and appreciating the land we live on.
With the belief that technology and innovation present a solution for global food security, Peter states that agriculture draws people interested in technology, as it can reveal how we make choices at the individual, social, and industrial level. Within food systems, new technologies are created, which are governed nationally. However, territory is extended with consumers, technology, science, production, and farmers that are interconnected.
Melana brings us her perspective as a food justice advocate. From her experience working with afro-Ecuadorian people, she learned that territoriality is fundamental to their understanding of self and of their history. This led to her understanding of the diversity and complexity of the food system. Territorial food systems exist within the rural context, and the issue is that this creates an inequitable model, placing industrial pressure on rural areas and small-scale producers to feed an urban population. Our approach to the food system needs to be rethought. Rather than allowing a rural-versus-urban divide, we must create a sustainable, equitable, and interlinked food system.
Then, the speakers explored the challenges that exist within territorial food systems, and whether it would be helpful to restore and transform the food system for both people and the environment.
Dawn begins by stating that Indigenous communities have persisted. Indigenous people’s traditional means of accessing food – hunting, farming, fishing – enforce Indigenous laws, biodiversity, and underscore the climate crisis, demonstrating the complexity of the food system. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and decolonization are pivotal to solving problems, giving structure to the food system, and increasing health in the present, and healing of the past.
Peter emphasizes the importance of diversity. Territory can pose a threat or bring forward opportunities for humankind. Territoriality brings the opportunity for innovation, but to advance these new innovations, different ideas and perspectives must come together. All of these perspectives contribute to the complexity that exists within the food system.
Melana emphasized the importance of the people operating within the food system, and the importance of the environment's ability to command change. Human rights conversations must address power imbalances in the food system. As capitalism increases, culture and tradition diminish. Indigenous people are the fastest growing farming community, and this disenfranchises them from their traditional connection to land. Melana continues by stating that this loss of connection and a loss of farmer’s voices, as well as the voices of Indigenous and Black communities has worsened with COVID-19. She states that public procurement, access to domestic natural resources, agroecology, securing land tenures, social protection and assistance are key to repairing food systems.
Lauren reflected on whether it is helpful to think in terms of “territoriality”. Territoriality brings forth opportunities and challenges, which are intertwined. Food accessibility and food science are topics which need to be addressed to bring professionals from different fields together. She concludes by stating that the food system has improved, but that social inequities remain.
Finally, the following questions were answered: Is there a way to construct policy and social movements to make technology more socially inclusive? How will the growth of technology bring about changes in the food, social, and legal systems?
Canada’s technologies are used extensively around the world. There are many challenges with technologies, as it can take time to achieve maximum efficiency. However, once efficiency is achieved, technology can be cast out systematically to improve food security around the world.
Despite the benefits, the discussion pivoted to bring attention to the fact that technological advancements can serve to exclude traditional knowledge. Technologies that are truly aligned to agricultural practices are limited. Traditional and agricultural knowledge can bring new approaches to food system challenges that require technological advancements. It is also important to allow for ethical, cultural, and environmental perspectives. Some farmers may not be interested in overhauling their traditional approaches to continuously incorporate new technologies, and mechanisation can serve to displace workers.
Calls were made for the transformation and restoration of our food systems. Transformation broadens the available solutions and allows for decolonization. Restoration recognizes that we need to shift and regenerate our perspectives. In addition, it was argued that technology struggles to promote the social perspective. Technology can undermine Indigenous traditions. A social perspective can challenge the predominant capitalist and productionist view. People’s rights need to be acknowledged. We need to create new adaptive systems that acknowledge a diversity of views, and respect Indigenous lands. Technology will continue to have a role in the food system, but we must address the social marginalization that can arise from it.