Magic Millets: Food Sovereignty and the Revival of Heritage Crops in Eastern Himalayas

Mar
23
12:15 to 13:30
Public Lecture

Indigenous foodways have become a site of increasing concern during last decade. As part of this turn, a number of heritage crops have gained unexpected fame, said to be climate resilient, culturally significant, and a nutritious “super” food. FAO has established an International Hub for Indigenous Food Systems, and various international donors support the cultivation of heritage crop as part of the larger agenda for sustainable development. Local indigenous organizations around the world simultaneously align with the transnational food sovereignty movement (“slow food movement”) insisting on community control of food crops and seed, promoting the cultivation of traditional varieties that has been passed on from generation to generation of farmers. On yet another front, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spearheaded an international campaign for the revival of millets, and through the support of a number of African countries the UN has now declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. In this seminar, Bengt Karlsson discusses a number of issues relating to the present hype around heritage crops, taking his point of departure in a new project on food sovereignty among upland farmers in Eastern Himalayas.

Lunch will be served.   

Find more info and register for the event here.

Organizer(s):
Asianettverket
Location:
PA Munchs Hus, Blindern, seminar room 12