Looking forward: Agrarian reform and food sovereignt

Abstract

This paper analyses the initiative developed by the NGO Via Campesina called ‘food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is underpinned on family farming, agrarian reform, fair prices, local markets, food security and environmental sustainability. In order to better understand the importance of equitable and efficient land access the essay accounts the lessons learned from agrarian reforms implemented in the past. Mainly the successful examples of land reforms applied in South Asia are taken into account. Additionally the paper explains -through a wide literature review on land reform- to what extent a ‘real’ agrarian reform that takes into account its last beneficiaries (small farmers or landless) might be highly beneficial for broad-based development, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and productivity in developing countries. Since less developed economies are presently suffering from continuous rural and agrarian crisis that requires quick solutions and answers.