As part of the Global Community Food for Planetary Health (GCFPH) project, the research team conducted in-depth interviews with 17 key stakeholders, ranging from community members to national-level leaders.
This effort aimed to capture the socio-cultural, historical, and economic contexts that shape food consumption and production, including food value chains, and to identify the drivers and barriers influencing Community Food Production (CFP).
The interviews provided valuable perspectives from local and national governments, as well as insights into international policy frameworks impacting food availability, accessibility, stability, quality, and usage.
These dialogues helped uncover the enabling factors that support CFP adoption within each unique setting.
According to the Principal Agriculture Officer at the Navuso Technical College, “Agriculture is about food security first, then income generation second.”
This statement reflects a shared commitment among stakeholders to prioritize food security as the foundation for community resilience and economic growth.
With the insights gained from these interviews, the GCFaH research team is better equipped to tailor CFP initiatives to meet the specific needs of each community.
By understanding the challenges and opportunities across different frameworks, we are one step closer to fostering sustainable, resilient food systems that serve both local and national interests.
The GCFaH project’s research has been conducted in Fiji, the Philippines, St Vincent, and St Lucia.
The University of Exeter and the University of the West Indies serve as joint lead institutions, alongside the University of the South Pacific (USP) and FRIEND partners in Fiji, as well as universities in the Philippines, the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada.
