FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: REFLECTIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Abstract

This study addresses some aspects of the complex relationship between agricultural production and food security from the perspective of Environmental Justice. Literature Review about the topic was chosen as a methodology. Did the vast expansion of arable areas really ensured greater food security for everybody as it defends the hegemonic discourse? What are the social and environmental costs of the maintenance of the current agricultural model based on monoculture and intensive use of chemical pesticides? This form of land exploitation has been the target of severe criticism by imposing a costly picture of environmental destruction, and its damage affects certain social groups disproportionately. The small farmers continue losing space for the "industrial" agricultural production, which causes the perpetuation of the cycle of concentration of income, rural exodus, social exclusion and poverty. Governmental incentives to small family farming and ecological farming practices can be a viable alternative to food production in order to ensure food and nutritional security, giving more consideration to the environment, noting the principles offered by Environmental Justice.