Lessons from Social Movements: Farmers and Food Sovereignty in India

Abstract

Food sovereignty is a broad concept that addresses the democratization of food systems from a human rights perspective. It aims at the sustenance of food systems by ensuring ecological justice. There were numerous farmers’ movements in India during the colonial period. Even after independence, India has witnessed several farmers’ movements that were opposed to the neoliberal policies that limit farmer’s control in the food system. The government’s efforts in initiating systems and policies that ensure food security are important and need to be supplemented with voluntary organizations. Farmer producer organizations and cooperative societies for farmers play a significant role in creating sustainable farming systems. Reflecting on the new farmers’ movements in India, the government must recognize the potential of farmers and support them with policies and systems that address their needs. Digital innovations, aggrotech start-ups, and field research for supporting the farmers in the process from production to distribution also could be initiated. This chapter discusses the role of the social work profession in ensuring food sovereignty, human rights, and social justice.