Addressing Social Inequality in Chiapas through Local, Healthy and Clean Foods: An Agroecological View

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Author:

Helda Morales, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur

Subject:

Social Sciences

Institution Name:

Latin America Learning

Collection:

Michigan State University

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

In Chiapas, one of the poorest states in Mexico, an estimated 150,000 children are malnourished. To end this problem, governments have implemented food security policies, including food importation and industrial food production. In 2008 alone, Mexico imported 20 million tons of food. While these policies certainly help to remedy the problem in the short term, the massive importation of basic foodstuffs and incentives to industrial agriculture may widen social inequality, threaten health and deteriorate biodiversity and ecosystem services. I will present the objectives and achievements of initiatives born in the highlands of Chiapas to enhance local food production free of hazardous pesticides and appropriate to the culture of the region. Examples include the rescue of local knowledge for food production, a school gardens program and the Network of Producers and Consumers for Healthy Local Food.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Audio Lectures, Lecture Notes, Video Lectures

Media Format:

Audio, Downloadable docs, Video

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0