Agroecology and food sovereignty in small island developing states : the case of Rodrigues Island

Abstract

Improving the local food production could counterbalance the severe blow on the SIDS’ food systems in the face of economic shocks or other natural catastrophes in the SIDS. Embracing more context-specific food systems would allow for discovery of solutions appropriate for each respective SIDS which could satisfy their usually time-sensitive and specific knowledge needs. Inquiring if and to which extent agroecological practices could ensure food security in the island of Rodrigues is one way to devise a form of knowledge that allows for sponsorship of the strategies of each SIDS so that they may take action to tackle their food security issues. The objective of this research is to spot and relate to local priorities in Rodrigues and consequently allow the government to make informed policies accordingly. Three research questions are put forward to attain the objective set, namely: 1) What is agroecology and how is it applied to SIDS? 2) What are the key characteristics of agroecology and how is it implemented in the context of SIDS? and 3) How and to what extent are agroecological practices implemented in the context of Rodrigues? It has long been a matter of urgency to take the bull by the horns to warrant sustainable food security in SIDS. In this respect, diminishing the dependence on food imports through the increasing of local food production has a fundamental role.