Agriculture and Power dynamics

 My perspective on the food we grow and consume has changed as a result of learning about the power dynamics in agriculture. The way large corporations are displacing small farmers, particularly women and Indigenous people, who have been cultivating the land for generations, is concerning. Healthy food and the environment are less important to these profit-driven institutions than money. It's unfortunate that, despite the availability of food, people in many places of the world go hungry because of an unjust system. I now realize that food is about more than just eating; it's also about justice, power, and decision-making authority.

I see some of these similar issues beginning to emerge in Bhutan. Traditional grains like millet and buckwheat are grown by a large number of women farmers on tiny family farms in this area. However, as more attention is focused on producing goods like apples and potatoes for the market, these crops are being overlooked. I'm concerned that this shift is detrimental to our culture and health. Food production is also becoming more difficult due to climate change, as crops are being harmed by increased pests and unpredictable weather. This contemplation made it clearer to me that in order to maintain a robust and equitable food system, we must safeguard regional culinary customs and assist farmers, particularly women.