Food sovereignty is the right of individuals and communities to have control over their own food systems. It encompasses the ability to produce, access, and consume food in a manner that is culturally appropriate, sustainable, and prioritizes local needs and preferences. Food sovereignty emphasizes the importance of local food production, traditional knowledge, and the rights of farmers and consumers in shaping agricultural policies and practices.

(Notion AI)

Corporate dominance of the food system

These 10 companies dominate the food global brands

Similarly seeds and agrichemicals are also dominated by a small group of global corporations.

Food production dominated by a few large corporations results in low food sovereignty (Clapp, 2021). Food sovereignty promotes ecosystem management and local decision-making. As Mann (2021, pg. 131) puts it, “It pushes back against capitalism by insisting that food is a common good rather than a commodity”.

The corporatisation of food production is a threat to sustainability as it focuses on profit and suppresses local (sustainable) food systems and diets.

KGA308-Jennifer_Clapp-Nature_Food-The_problem_with_growing_corporate_concentration_a-pp404-408.pdf

Alana Mann also discusses food sovereignty in her podcasts on food systems generally:

La Via Campesina