Sociopolitical Systems
BRICS and the Challenges of Food Security in the Indian Ocean Rims
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Lere Amusan
Food security has been one of the major problems that BRICS is facing in the age of climate change. Economic, strategic and political imperative that some members of BRICS are sharing directly or indirectly through the Indian Ocean need academic interrogation. Before the formation of BRICS, Russia, India, China and South Africa are very active participants in the politics and strategic arrangements of the third largest ocean (Indian Ocean) in the global system. The implications of the blue economy in the 21st century taken into account of the impact of climate change and how the same is influencing life under water with direct negative impact on food security will be the focus of this paper. Employing interdependence theory of liberal school, it will be concluded that international regimes such as BRICS and Indian Ocean Rims Association (IORA) need to come to term on how to exploit the Indian Ocean resources in a sustainable manner. Doing this will save the water from overfishing by the technologically advanced states; this approach will also check the ongoing plastic dumping in the ocean, an action that is threatening livelihood of littoral member states in the age of climate variability.
Seed Sovereignty in Aotearoa New Zealand and Peru
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mariaelena Huambachano
Food in the form of seeds for Indigenous peoples plays a significant role not only in providing food but also in sustaining cultural knowledge and protection of a country’s agro-biodiversity. Drawing on forty in-depth interviews, talking circles and oral stories with Māori people of Aotearoa and Quechua peoples of Peru. This study reveals that Quechua and Māori peoples’ seeds and agriculture biodiversity are endangered by biopiracy and GMOs that inhibits the continuum of their right to healthy and culturally appropriate food. This study argues that the sanctity of seeds for Quechua and Māori relates to their Indigenous self-determination to restore their cultural origins and relationships with all beings, and to ensure that food security remains under the control of their communities. Research findings make a case for seed sovereignty acting as a contributor to a group’s collective well-being/Buen Vivir and self-determination to preserve cultural heritage and knowledge. This study concludes that seed sovereignty goes beyond the rights-based approach to food; rather, it is a tool for revitalizing Indigenous peoples’ food systems, for advocacy and policy change in food systems, and for moving beyond colonial approaches to food and culture.
Asymmetric Information: Halal Food Market and Immigrant Businesses
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Bamidele Adekunle, Glen Filson
People consume food not only to satisfy hunger but also for cultural, religious and social reasons. In Islam there is an emphasis on cleanliness in both spirit and food (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, 2011), and eating is viewed as a form of worship (Talib, Hamid, & Chin, 2015). Halal is Islamic dietary law derived from the Quran and Hadith, the practices of the Prophet Mohammad (Regenstein, Chaudry & Regenstein, 2003). Halal goes beyond religious obligation; it is part of the Islamic way of life which includes not only dietary requirements, but also behaviour, speech, dress, and conduct (Talib, Hamid, & Zulfakar, 2015a). Furthermore, observing the tenets of halal can guarantee food safety and serve a business model for the Canadian export market. The benefit of halal notwithstanding, the lack of trust in the market has lead to challenges such as authenticity and traceability. This situation affects the different cultural groups that have migrated to the Canada, especially the Somalis, Syrians, Pakistanis, Afghanis and other Canadians who are in love with the taste of halal meat. Based on this premise, there is a need for policies that will strengthen the value chain of halal food and reduce asymmetric information.
