According to The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026, the world confronts the intersecting challenges of hunger, malnutrition, biodiversity loss, and climate change. However, my research shows how rural communities across the globe are continuing to provide transformative, alternative solutions grounded in their Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).
Academic literature has recorded how Indigenous people across the continents, from seed savers in community seed banks to small-scale farmers, demonstrate the sustainability of eco-friendly food production systems. These innovative learnings are grounded in generations of knowledge, collective action and stewardship within rural resource mobilization and management systems.
Such practices of land preservation, seed saving and climate-resilient resource management are critical in the quest to bring greater food sovereignty to their communities.
On World Rural Development Day, we remember and celebrate rural communities whose daily services nourish communities, preserve the knowledge and protect the environment. Such practices of land preservation, seed saving and climate-resilient resource management are critical in the quest to bring greater food sovereignty to their communities. Those adopting methods for greater food sovereignty have more control over how their food is produced. They become more resilient in protecting their health and their livelihoods by defining and projecting their own food systems for the production of culturally relevant, locally-owned and environmentally-friendly products.
The Atlantic Fellows Food Sovereignty Network, which we co-founded in 2024, reflects this vision through connecting Fellows across the different Atlantic Fellows programs and regions of the world. The Fellows’ commitment to transformed food systems through collaborative and mutual learning contributes to the building of this global food justice movement that is grounded in respect for Indigenous knowledge and innovative solutions. As Fellows continue to work in their respective local contexts, their contributions to the global platform continue to create a more just food world.
This work shows the value in restoring resilient, grass-root-led, climate-friendly food systems.
Across Southeast Asia, Atlantic Fellows in Vietnam have partnered with small-scale food producers and farmers and strengthened local food market ecosystems promoting the development of grassroots-owned food systems. The initiative supports local economies while preserving generations of agri-food knowledge. In New Zealand, Atlantic Fellows are working with Indigenous communities to strengthen local food production initiatives, supporting low-income communities in accessing high-quality, nutritious food. In the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa, Atlantic Fellows are supporting Indigenous seed-saving initiatives and public school-centered food sovereignty programs.
Across all these initiatives, this work shows the value in restoring resilient, grass-root-led, climate-friendly food systems. The Atlantic Fellows from different geographies and backgrounds, are united by supporting the Atlantic Fellows Food Sovereignty Network to strive together for fairer food systems throughout the world. They have created opportunities for knowledge exchange, learning from each other’s experiences, and inspiring innovative solutions.
We honor the rural innovators, community leaders, food producers, small-scale farmers and Atlantic Fellows who are working to ensure that families do not see their children go to sleep hungry. Such selfless leadership reminds us that a just food world is possible and inspires us to strengthen our collective efforts to maintain healthy soils, protect seeds and preserve Indigenous knowledge, protected and supported through partnerships grounded in transparency and trust.
About the author
Nangamso Ka NomaHlubi Koza is an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in South Africa, development strategist, author and publisher, and independent consultant. As the co-founder of the Atlantic Fellows Food Sovereignty Network, Nangamso is passionate about advancing people-centered sustainable livelihoods systems and producing alternative developmental models with a special focus on food sovereignty.
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