Summary

The session focused on how the socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) (e.g. satoyama and satoumi) approach could contribute to achieving sustainable food systems while addressing several existing problems. The keynote speech focused on insights and discussion points on the latest research pertaining to food system transformation. The need for a systemic approach to transform the food system was emphasised, one that would consider multiple factors, integrate diverse stakeholders across different scales and recognise the complexity of interactions within the system. Subsequently, case studies from Taiwan and Mexico were introduced. The case from Taiwan introduced examples of sustainable forest conservation, food production and economic development utilising traditional knowledge, which was achieved through establishing a forest co-management partnership between indigenous people and the government. The case from Mexico described efforts to establish seed banks to conserve and cultivate a variety of maize seeds indigenous to the local area, suited to diverse climatic conditions. Based on these cases, the panel discussion identified the following key matters regarding transforming food systems: the SEPLS approach is effective in mobilising a systemic approach, linking different sectors and stakeholders, as well as food production and consumption across landscapes and seascapes. Balancing tradition and innovation is one of the challenges of the plan; however, the SEPLS approach may help bridge this gap by building the capacity of indigenous and local communities and attracting the attention of the governments.