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Sociology of Agriculture and Food (SAFRIG)

Just agrifood transitions among smallholder production systems Elizabeth Ransom*, Elizabeth Ransom, Victoria Akwamaa Yeboah,

According to the FAO, roughly 80 percent of farmland in sub‑Saharan Africa is managed by smallholders cultivating less than 10 hectares. Nonetheless, most national governments across the region continue to prioritize policies that support conventional agriculture—approaches characterized by high input costs and reduced diversity of crops and livestock. Such emphasis overlooks the ways in which smallholder mixed farming systems can enhance resilience in the context of climate change. Using a comparative case study analysis of smallholder mixed farming systems in Zambia and Ghana, this research examines the opportunities and challenges associated with advancing just agrifood transitions for smallholders. Strengthening smallholder systems has the potential to bolster food system resilience and foster more equitable economic opportunities. Specifically, we investigate multiple dimensions of justice—distributive, procedural, and capacities—to assess how actors in both countries conceptualize smallholder production and identify the types of policies needed to support sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.