Growing improved crops and social justice: A contextualisation of ubuntu principles for smallholder farmers

Abstract

Improved crops are being promoted in many de­veloping countries to increase food production and realise economic benefits associated with them. The changes in farm­ing being introduced are affecting the social values in food production. The paper examines how the new crops affect the Ubuntu values important for the realisation of social justice of smallholder farmers. The study used mixed methods case study utilising a questionnaire, focus group discussion, and in-depth interviews. Three themes were the main focus with regard to Ubuntu as an analytic lens for social justice concerns of smallholder farmers: access to land, crops, labour and gar­dening, and food access and distribution. The findings show that Ubuntu values are being stifled with the commoditisation of farming processes and systems. At the same time, individ­ualism associated with growing improved crops is threaten­ing food access and distribution, as Ubuntu values of interde­pendence, solidarity, unity, compassion, empathy, and to­getherness no longer influence processes in food systems. The results suggest the need for the incorporation and recognition of the values of Ubuntu/Obuntu Bulamu in promoting im­proved crops. This will contribute to addressing smallholder farmers' social justice concerns.

Keywords

• ubuntu
• obuntu bulamu
• social justice
• smallholder farmers
• food system
• improved crops