RISULTATI RICERCA

Afghanistan has been an understudied country despite its current difficulties stemming from political conflict for decades and its adverse impact on the country and society, such as food security. This article presents firsthand findings on the potential of collaborative agribusiness initiatives as part of Afghanistan’s food system to address food security challenges.These embody an emerging body of literature known as alternative food networks, as part of the Slow Food movement that prioritizes community wellbeing, as a solution to food security. Findings are drawn from selected interviewees who are key Afghan stakeholders, ranging from farmers to experts in the agribusiness sector, relating to collaborative agribusiness initiatives which play a crucial role in fostering food security in Afghanistan. Specifically, it argues that through collaborative initiatives among farmers and the integration of marginalized groups, agricultural productivity increases, which ultimately leads to better food security. Three components emerge – resilience, resource enhancement and revelation (3Rs) – as the conceptual contribution. This approach of alternative food network improves access to markets and resources, particularly for smallholder farmers in remote regions and provinces.

The research examines integrating the Slow Food Movement (SFM) with Ireland’s lobster industry, emphasising preserving local culinary heritage as crucial for Sustainable Food Systems. This heritage includes both tangible elements, like agricultural practices and intangible ones, such as traditional food preparation. Slow food aims to protect these traditions from the homogenisation of food production. Using Social Practice Theory, the research analyses lobster consumption in Ireland, underscoring its symbolic importance in Irish culture to develop a novel framework adapted from the Social Practice Framework. The study combines qualitative interviews and secondary data analysis to explore lobster’s role in Irish culinary heritage and its potential for promoting sustainable seafood consumption. Results from the study highlight the critical role of Irish lobster fishing communities in maintaining cultural food heritage, with traditional practices contributing to ecological and economic sustainability. The SFM influences lobster consumption, supporting sustainable and culturally important food practices. This research underscores the intricate link between tradition and sustainability, suggesting a model to balance cultural integrity with sustainable practices, contributing to a more culturally informed and environmentally conscious food consumption approach.