Concentration of Power in the Food System

Abstract

The concentration of power in the food system and agriculture’s dependence on expensive farm machinery and external inputs have induced falling profits for family farmers, and a disconnect between consumers and producers. Industrial agriculture depletes soil health and reduces biodiversity, while yields have stagnated or declined. Agroecology promotes diversified cropping systems and reduces the dependency on fossil fuel-based machinery and other technologies. Ethical labels like Fairtrade empower farmers and support rural communities. Short food chains reduce our ecological footprint while connecting producers and consumers, but large wholesalers often remove farmer information from packaging, weakening consumer connection to food and limiting farmers’ negotiating power.