Choices and dilemmas on the way to sustainable food systems : How can trade-offs and synergies in food system transition processes be assessed in cocreation with stakeholders? Deriving lessons from three practical cases

Summary

Transformation of food systems in low-and middle-income countries is indispensable for food and nutrition security. To transform the food systems, transition pathways approach can be applied to engage stakeholders in getting to the desired future food outcomes. Inherent in these food system transition pathways are trade-offs and synergies within or between different dimensions of sustainability (social, environmental, economic); between different temporal and spatial scales; and between different types of actors. Understanding and assessment of these trade-offs are important to development of sustainable and healthy food systems. The objective of this study was to co-create a methodology with stakeholders to identify and assess trade-offs and synergies in transition pathways affecting the dairy sector in Bangladesh and in Ethiopia, and charcoal production in Ghana, moving towards sustainable and healthy food systems. Applying transition pathway approaches to these case studies shows that stakeholders participation is essential to assessment of trade-offs and synergies in food systems transition pathways, and it is context-specific as the indicators are pathway dependent. The results also demonstrates the necessity of holistic approach to address all the food system outcomes. Besides, qualitative assessment of trade-offs and synergies as in this study can be strengthened with quantitative indicators in order to better inform decision making.