Join us for the School of Environmental Studies Colloquium Series Featuring PhD Candidate Omamuyovwi "Dante" Gbejewoh
Location: BioSciences Complex, Room 1120
Understanding the Role of On Farm Agrobiodiversity Conservation for Agroecological Transformation in Southeastern Ontario
Abstract
Industrial agriculture brought about significant changes to the global food system. Chief among these changes is declining agrobiodiversity due to the replacement of nutrient rich traditional foods with calorie-rich staple foods. Agroecology has emerged as an alternative to industrial agriculture, which aims to change not just how food is produced but also for who, by whom and the relationships present in the food system. On-farm conservation, defined as the growing of traditional varieties in environments where they continue to evolve, is a key part of agroecology However, in the global North, little is known about the practices and policies influencing on-farm conservation. This dissertation examines the potential role of on-farm agrobiodiversity conservation in agroecological transformation focusing on Southeastern Ontario. Using photovoice interviews, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided by a domain of transformation framework, this dissertation explores producers' motivations, challenges, opportunities and crop selection decisions in practicing on-farm conservation. It also considers how Canadian seed policies affect these practices. This dissertation argues that harnessing the potential of traditional varieties for agroecological transformation involves simultaneously addressing six areas of contestation: harnessing producers' motivations for agroecological change; mobilizing networks as a social nexus of teaching and learning; building alternative land relationships for agroecological transformation; addressing the labour needs of growing traditional varieties via agroecology; leveraging market opportunities for scaling agroecology; and centring women and Indigenous peoples as significant rights and stakeholders of agrobiodiversity. Furthermore, on-farm agrobiodiversity conservation can play a key role in agroecological transformation by contributing to the scaling out, up and down of agroecology through the growth of networks, emergence of political actors, and the support of cultural identities.
Bio
Omamuyovwi "Dante" Gbejewoh is a doctoral candidate at the School of Environmental Studies, Â鶹¹ÙÍø's University. His doctoral research examines the role on-farm agrobiodiversity conservation may play in transformations toward agroecology. His research interests include varying intersections of agroecology, food sovereignty, food policy, and food system governance. He holds previous degrees in sustainable agriculture and soil science.