The United Farmers Aruba Association is currently holding internal discussions on how to advance Food Sovereignty in Aruba, as opposed to simply focusing on Food Security. This topic was explained in detail by Mr. Diego Acevedo during an interview with DIARIO.
Acevedo explained that Food Security means ensuring everyone always has reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food to live a healthy and active life. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aruba still received imported food, and people were able to purchase it, demonstrating food security.
However, Food Sovereignty goes a step further—it is the right of a community to define, control, and sustain its own food system. It allows people to decide what to grow, how to grow it, and how to distribute it, emphasizing support for local farmers, traditional agricultural methods, and ecological production.
Aruba already has many local producers involved in agriculture, livestock, and fishing, Acevedo noted. To reach food sovereignty, each of these sectors must be strengthened first.
“Step by step, we can achieve this goal,” Acevedo stated.
“The ongoing discussions are focused on exploring practical ways to make food sovereignty a reality for Aruba.
