The Role of Women in Sustainable Agriculture in three Global Regions: Environmental-Friendly Practices and Passing Knowledge along to Future Generations

Keywords: Feminist Agri-food Systems Theory, Sustainable Agriculture, Knowledge, Economic, Social, Environmental
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 39

Abstract

I use The Feminist Agri-food Systems Theory (FAST) to describe: 1) the role of women in sustainable agriculture through conservation of natural enemies and 2) the power of women passing knowledge to their children and other youth in sustainable agriculture in three distinct communities: the southern region of the United States, Cuba, and Zimbabwe. FAST specifically highlights the challenges that women face in agriculture communities (Sachs 1983). The framework includes 1) gender equity; 2) farmer identity; 3) access to resources access including land and capital and food and farming systems 4) roles in agricultural organizations and institutions; 5) forming new networking organizations for women farmers; and 6) shaping new food and farming systems by integrating economic, environmental, and social values. While each element of FAST is important, I focus only on the sixth, that is, the three main goals of sustainable agriculture: economic efficiency, social responsibility, and quality environment. Specifically, I approach FAST using agroecology, which is distinct from other approaches because it is a bottom-up process that addresses local problems. Agroecology emphasizes the co-creation of knowledge and combines science with traditional, local knowledge. It places an emphasis on women’s rights and empowers youth and indigenous people. FAST values the manner in which women hold significant knowledge and are major contributors to sustainable agriculture and food production through economic, social, and environmental avenues.