title: Agricultural biodiversity as a link between traditional food systems and contemporary development, social integrity and ecological health.
abstract: Traditional food systems offer a key link between the social and economic resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists and the sustainable food and nutrition security of global populations. This paper addresses issues related to socio-cultural diversity and the continuing complex engagement of traditional and modern communities with the plants and animals that sustain them. In light of some of the unhealthful consequences of the 'nutrition transition' to globalized modern diets, the authors define and propose a process for a more successful food system transition that balances agro-biodiversity and processed commodities to support diet diversity, health and social equity alongside sustainable economic growth. We review empirical research in support of practice and policy changes in agriculture, economic development and health domains as well as cross-sectoral and community-based innovation. High-value food crops within domestic and global value chains can be an entry point for smallholders' participation as contributors and beneficiaries of development, while sustainable small farms, as purveyors of environmental and public health services, diversify global options for long-term adaptation in the face of environmental uncertainty.
authors: School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada; Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystems Programme, Bioversity International, Via dei Tre Denari 472/a, 00057, Maccarese, Rome, Italy.
authors: Timothy
authors: T
authors: Johns
authors: Bronwen
authors: B
authors: Powell
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Maundu
authors: Pablo B
authors: PB
authors: Eyzaguirre
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D044822:Biodiversity; D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D005502:Food; D019649:Food Industry / Q000639:trends*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D040541:Marketing; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000254:growth & development; D011050:Policy Making
keywords: developing countries; markets; resilience; smallholders; sustainability