Towards Inclusive Responsibility

Based on the six themes above and the many ways forward suggested in the preceding chapters, in our view the possible foundations for an inclusively responsible food and agriculture system would build upon the most desired aspects of: Conservation Agriculture; Veganic Agroecology; food sovereignty and localization; and whole-food plant-based diets. These aspects can be synthesised into an alternative food and agriculture paradigm of Conservation Agriculture based Veganic Agroecology.

A paradigm of Conservation Agriculture based Veganic Agroecology would:

1. be ecologically sustainable and multifunctional
2. be relevant for smallholders, their innovation and development strategies;
3. meet the increasing need for sustainable, nutritious and healthy whole-food plant-based diets;
4. integrate into the wider social movements resisting the corporate food regime and fighting for local autonomy, food sovereignty, and land and seed justice;
5. respect and protect the rights of all sentient beings, both human and nonhuman, to live free from human oppression, exploitation and harm; and
6. respect and protect the rights of nature based on a duty of care towards the Earth.

We are aware that this vision may seem controversial and raise various tensions and challenges, not only with the status quo but also with the current direction of food and environmental movements. For example, combining Conservation Agriculture with Agroecology may seem incompatible to some. However, Conservation Agriculture is a form of agroecology (defined as a science and a practice). It is practiced by both small- and larger-scale, organic and non-organic, producers. Globally, far more smallholders practice and benefit from Conservation Agriculture than larger scale producers, and many of them are organic. Likewise, the idea of food sovereignty may seem incompatible with Veganic agriculture and plant-based diets, due in part to food sovereignty’s focus on local food cultures which may include the consumption of animal flesh and secretions, and resistance to food colonialism. However, an anti-speciesist, animal liberationist, vegan ethic is not about imposing a particular diet onto others. Rather, this ethic is about expanding our circle of moral concern and values to include our animal kin.

Radical transformative changes are needed in our food and agriculture system urgently. We may not have all the solutions, but we hope that this collection of chapters from many varying perspectives and experiences shows that we do have enough evidence and indications of hugely promising aspects of ‘inclusively responsible’ ways forward to support and scale-up. These ways forward are already contributing to reversing and healing the large-scale damage caused to the planet and all her inhabitants by the industrial agricultural paradigm and the corporate food regime. They are challenging the status quo and hold the seeds of a vision of an ‘inclusively responsible’ food and agriculture paradigm that is already emerging in many parts of the world. While we are facing so many crises and much remains to be done, we trust that this book has shown that there is still hope for us to restore and come back into right relationship with each other, our animal kin and the earth.

It is our hope that the concept of inclusive responsibility and the related paradigm of Conservation Agriculture based Veganic Agroecology, offers an alternative guiding framework of principles and values to all stakeholders, wherever they might be positioned and whatever their role.  As the contributors to this book have shown, there are so many opportunities and ways for all of us globally to deepen our engagement, play our parts and make our unique contributions towards a more beautiful and caring world for all.

About The Authors