Challenges in Latin American agri-food policies: new normality, sustainability, participation and the panorama of SEGALMEX 2019-2024

Abstract

Current Latin American agri-food policies aim to increase yields per unit area to guarantee the supply of basic foodstuffs. Based on this premise, the Mexican Food Security Policy (SEGALMEX) 2019-2024 was analyzed, considering its sustainability aspect for the sector and peasant production, and the strategies it implemented to address the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the resulting new normality. Within this analytical framework, the most relevant Latin American agri-food policies are examined from a sociological critique perspective based on content analysis and heuristic-hermeneutic analysis to discuss and provide feedback on their approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on the Mexican Food Security Policy (SEGALMEX). This analysis identified areas of opportunity in terms of agri-food self-sufficiency, security, sovereignty, and sustainability, and proposes conceptual and operational elements to address the observed conditions.