Community Grain Banks (CGBs) and their benefits to society are very holistic, as they aim not only to achieve zero hunger and food security, but also encapsulates other additional benefits like, women empowerment to farmers’ income stabilization. Therefore, promoting and supporting custom-made community institutions like CGBs can help in mitigating food insecurity, both at global and regional level.
Author
Vaishali Sharma, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Summary
Community food systems, exemplified by initiatives like community grain banks (CGBs), play a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to achieve zero hunger and ensure food security by 2030.
This paper draws upon a systematic review of the literature on CGBs to emphasize the relevance of community institutions in enhancing local food security. Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, this paper reviews 16 academic articles, two theses, and 19 online sources.
The study reveals that CGBs offer immediate relief during food shortages, empower women, stabilize farmers’ income, reduce debt burdens, foster social trust, and enhance community resilience. This review highlights the need for international stakeholders to prioritize supporting CGBs to preserve the self-sustaining systems. Tailoring CGB designs to community-specific needs could significantly enhance local food security, offering actionable strategies to mitigate severe food insecurity globally and regionally.
Published in: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
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