Agriculture and Human Values (Essay Sample)

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Agriculture and human values
Introduction
This paper explores the agricultural and human values to show that people need the knowledge and values that lead them to meaningful perspectives since it promotes democratic culture. It enhances pluralism supported by rational discourse, openness to new perspectives, willingness to negotiate differences and critical reflection. There is a lot of attention to sustainability and issues of justice in the agri-food industry (Virchow 8). This paper points out that alternative mechanisms in agriculture have flourished and increased traction in the food production industry. Industry association and corporation have protected their interests by undermining efforts of alternative governance mechanism; develop competing standards, and weakening enforcement of the alternative agri-food practices (Gray 6). Therefore, efforts should be geared at strengthening markets as a central institution, enhancing respect for individual rights, and encouraging free trade (Henson 4). This paper provides governance mechanisms that are essential in championing for alternative agri-food to enhance science-based approaches to food production.
Previous researches
Henson, Spencer. Private agrifood governance: conclusions, observations and provocation. Brighton: University of Sussex, 2011.
According to the writers, food safety and environmental protections are key issues that firms are engaging in developing governance structure and the codes of conduct. This is critical in the industry self-regulation mechanisms (Henson 9). The changes reflect the globalization of agri-food systems, evolving consumer expectations and transforming nature of the regulatory systems. Many firms have adhered to NGOs’ demands in supply chain management. This allows the firms to share market gains and profits with the society and enhance healthy competition. The concerns of private companies are nature of market competition, legitimacy in relation to democratic standards and its effect on the market. Inherently, globalization plays a critical role in changing nature of private governance in the agri-food industry. They found that public regulations are viewed as legitimate since they have established decision-making mechanisms that are democratic. In essence, this means that the process of decision making respects the rule setting, enforcement, and implementation (Henson, 8). The article state that there has been a reduction of states' support for the agricultural sector, thus making small-scale farmers vulnerable to unscrupulous companies.
Gray, Antoinette Pole & Margaret. Farming alone? What's up with the ‘‘C'' in the community supported agriculture? New York: Springer, 2012.
The article asserts that Community Supported Agriculture plays a critical role in consumption and production of local food as it stresses the need for environmental friendly and organic farming practices. The scheme entails a cooperative agreement between the members and farmers. The policy was designed to enhance good relations between farmers and members. They established a center proximate to the farmer to facilitate easier collection of goods(Gray, 7). The policy was characterized by peripheral advocates that promote communitarian farming principles. The Community Supported Agriculture is a viable economic model since farmers do not engage profit maximization behaviors. Moreover, unity and cooperation is fostered by holding events, planning activities, and volunteering. Members join the movement to secure local, fresh, and seasonal produce. This is attributable to the fact that food is personal hence teaching about it enhances meaningful learning. In essence, meaningful learning is enhanced when student relates new insights with known ideas. Learnt knowledge is based on feelings, actions, and thoughts that enhance self-control and awareness. Food security is critical in equal distribution of resources and equity in society; more so, it ensures that there is peace and stability in the world.
Maki Hatanaka, Jason Konefal and Douglas Constance. A tripartite standard regime analysis of the contested development of a sustainable agriculture standard. Texas: Sam Houston State University, 2011.
The authors suggest that social organizations should initiate measures to increase the institutional backing for alternative agricultural practices. Much of the efforts are geared on research, public policy, and government support. The measures are aimed at embedding non-economic values such as equity, justice, democracy, and sustainability. Moreover, they will ensure that they redistribute surplus value and de-emphasize profit-oriented businesses. They state that the movement has enhanced adherence to paying fair wages, environmental friendly practices, and prohibit bad practices. Experts have questioned the current ethics of industrial agriculture and environmental sustainability policies. Many have sought to establish forms of agriculture that are just, sustainable, and democratic. The proposed forms of agriculture such as the urban garden, chemical free agriculture, community supported agriculture, and promotion of the local market have been fronted. The notion that private sector’ control of agriculture can enhance global food security is misinformed. This is because their power on agricultural processing and trade contributes to oligopoly, hence the market failures. Therefore, the authors assert that markets should enhance fairness and reduce unfair trading practices.de-emphasizing on profit oriented business models will ensure that corporations do not steal from the poor.
Ryan Galt, Damian Parr,Julia Soelen,Jessica Beckett, Maggie Lickter and Heidi Ballard. Transformative food systems education in a land-grant college of agriculture: the importance of learner-centered inquiries. California: University of California, 2012.
According to the authors, the social constructivist theory asserts that individuals create new knowledge by building on theoretical understanding. The theory maintains that effective learning is achievable through interactive social setting. In essence, the students can be able to place together the developmental levels together. The setting allows the deliberating and experiencing of varied perspectives in an open discussion. Moreover, the setting enables judgmental comparisons of learners. It creates an understanding of self on values and motivations. Open deliberations are fostered in a collaborative and democratic learning environment. They claim that participation creates an environment that validates students’ questions, perspectives, and contributions. Meaningful learning can be enhanced by building inquiry process through exams, lectures, and assignments. This will enable the students to comprehend critical issues that food industry face. For instance, they will understand that the problems facing the industry are poor distribution of resources and poor governance. This is true for many developing countries have the skills, resources, and ability to produce food, yet they cannot feed their own people.
Virchow, Tina D. Beuchelt and Detlef. Food sovereignty or the human right to adequate food: that concept serves better as international development policy for global hunger and poverty reduction? Stuttgart: University of Hohenheim, 2012.
The article says that food sovereignty is a new concept that refers to the rights of people, communities, and states in formulating their agricultural and food policies. It is critical in enhancing rural development, food security, and type of food production. The concept is emphasizing on strengthening of small farmers that aims at enhancing food security, rural development, and reducing poverty and hunger. They affirm the approach provides the peasant with a voice in the national politics. The concept forms a discourse and debates into international forums as social movements, NGOs, and civil societies have integrated the concept in their terminology. The abandonment of small-scale farmers in the discussion on issues that affects them has contributed to the poverty and hunger in society. The industry has been associated with structural adjustment measures that led to privatization. The poor conditions of food production are attributable to economic liberal...