What are the impacts of LSLA on the local food system and how do they affect the decision-making processes of both men and women regarding household food security ?

Summary

This interdisciplinary project aims to analyze the impacts of large-scale land acquisitions (LSLA) on the food system and its constitutive components – i.e. food production, food processing, food distribution and food consuming – with a special focus on gender relations and related decision-making processes concerning the food system and household food security. Taking into account gender issues, the research is grounded on strong evidence for women’s critical role in the livelihood of rural families.

Many studies across different developing countries show that, while men often control access and use of land, women tend to be in charge of subsistence-oriented food production, preparation and household food security. Therefore, the influence of LSLA on local actors’ configurations, strategies and decision-making will be assessed as well as the capacity of women and men to impact food security, especially through case studies carried out in Ghana and Peru, countries selected for their different cultural, social and economic background.