Securing Sovereignties: Implications of Institutional Food Governance Frameworks for Agrobiodiversity Protection in Urban and Peri-Urban Landscapes in Mexico and Ecuador

Abstract

Among existing intermediaries between the State and people, cities constitute today one of the core implementing bodies of national declarations, frameworks, and programs, according to the national distribution of competencies. Institutional food governance frameworks, oftentimes designed by national or state- level administrations, can play a major role in agrobiodiversity protection at the local level. Because this role may be beneficial or deleterious depending on a number of factors, analyzing the links and finding the balance between the two may help local governments design the necessary policies to preserve the environment without the expense of increasing food insecurity. While studies on institutional agrobiodiversity governance tend to focus on the international and national levels, there is little attention to the potential of local administrations in the protection of agrobiodiversity. Mexico and Ecuador represent two different approaches to food governance, namely food security and food sovereignty. Drawing on the experiences of Mexico Federal District and Quito Metropolitan District in the protection of agrobiodiversity in urban and peri- urban landscapes, this study explores the role and potential of local governance in agrobiodiversity protection in the said two cities. It further analyzes the relationship between institutionalized food sovereignty or food security frameworks, and agrobiodiversity protection. This analysis is used to comparatively discuss the implications of each approach for agrobiodiversity protection. Indeed, institutional food governance frameworks can be designed to support diversified smallholder agroecosystems, pushing sub-national governments to ensure food security and agrobiodiversity protection through the promotion of sustainable agriculture