Equitable Livelihoods in Food Systems

This advanced topic examines the structural drivers of inequality and power imbalances within global and local food systems, with a focus on creating equitable livelihoods for all actors, from smallholder farmers and wage workers to SMEs and consumers. For Zambian university students in development studies, agricultural economics, and leadership programs, it involves analyzing the intersection of biophysical, technological, economic, political, and socio-cultural drivers. Key areas of study include access to resources (land, water, finance), inclusive decision-making, fair trade, social protection mechanisms, and the gendered and intergenerational dimensions of vulnerability. The curriculum uses frameworks like the HLPE's food systems model and case studies, including responses to shocks like COVID-19, to explore transformative solutions. Understanding these dynamics is essential for future leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs aiming to foster inclusive rural transformation, reduce poverty, and ensure that economic growth in Zambia's agricultural sector benefits the most marginalized populations.