One indicators of sustainability is equitability. Based on the conclusion of Horlings and Marsden (2011) , agro-ecologicalapproaches can be utilized to feed the future generations, and therebycontribute to a ‘real green revolution.
‘ However, this requires a more radicalmove towards a new type of regionally embedded agri-food eco-economy. Thisincludes organizations, an alteredinstitutional context, and re-thinkingmarket mechanisms that is interwoven with active farmers and consumers’participation. It also requires a re-direction of science investments to takeaccount of translating often isolated cases of good practice into mainstreamagri-food movements.To be equitable in sustainable agriculture means that majority of thepeople benefit.
Agriculture provides a substantial share of income for theurban poor specially in Africa, and for those groups of households to which itconstitutes an important source of livelihoods. “We also find fairly consistentevidence of a positive statistical association between engagement in urbanagriculture and dietary adequacy indicators” (Tasciotti andZezza, 2010).Due to less inputs, theincome of farmers can increase. However, there is need to improvefarm-market-transport. The government should improve infrastructure tofacilitate transport of products. At local and household levels, the market distribution system needs tobe adequate to ensure that food is available in all market places. At thehousehold level, sufficient levels of food must be grown, or purchased in themarket place, or some combination of two.
Thus, poverty plays a major role infood insecurity. Generally, if there is too little food, it is the result ofinadequate food demand driven by poverty rather than of market failure.Conversion of agricultural lands to subdivisions and industrial areas shouldalso be reduced. Access to weather based index insurance should be provided becausethis can protect farmers from adverse financial effects of crop failure. Accessto credit in financial institutions is also needed.Gofrayand Garnett (2014) stated that there is a business-as-usual alternative to Sustainable Intensification:unsustainable intensification. Economic pressures will increase as the demandfor food rises.
This will result to land conversion, and other practices thatdamage the environment and other food system goals. ” In the face of amultitude of externalities (costs not captured in the price), marketdistortions and time lags, it is inconceivable that the market alone willfurnish solutions unaided. The consequences of unsustainable intensification willdamage the planet and undermine its capacity to support future food production”. Thoseconcerned with sustainability, the consumers and retailers, can look for values-based” foodswhich are grown using are environmentallyfriendly, and promoting farm-worker well-being methods that strengthen the local economy ” (Gofray and Garnett 2014).
