Conference Theme: GEOPOLITICS IN AGRICULTURE: Striking a Balance Between Policy, Markets, Food Security and Shared Prosperity

About the Theme

Agricultural and food systems are no longer shaped solely by domestic policy choices. Instead, they are increasingly influenced by geopolitical fragmentation, climate negotiations, global supply chain vulnerabilities, technological concentration, and shifting global power dynamics. Strategic dependencies in fertiliser, seed and energy markets; trade realignments; carbon markets; digital platform dominance; and macroeconomic instability all influence food security outcomes and agricultural development trajectories. The 63rd AEASA Conference aims to interrogate these dynamics and provide evidence-based insights into how agricultural systems can build resilience, ensure equity, and promote inclusive prosperity in an uncertain global environment.

CONFERENCE SUB-THEMES

Authors are invited to submit papers under one of the four broad conference sub-themes below.

1. Governance, Policy and Political Economy of Food Systems

This theme explores institutional, political and macroeconomic foundations shaping food systems.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Agricultural policy, sovereignty and regional food diplomacy
  • Trade, food security and protection of vulnerable groups
  • Food systems governance and multi-level coordination
  • Geopolitics of input markets (fertiliser, seeds, strategic commodities)
  • Political economy of agricultural subsidies and public expenditure

2. Markets, Value Chains, Labour and Inclusive Rural Transformation

This theme focuses on the economic and social functioning of agricultural markets and structural transformation.

Topics include:

  • Global and regional markets, value chains and inclusive local production
  • Agricultural finance and rural investment
  • Risk instruments and blended finance models
  • Labour, migration and rural–urban dynamics
  • Informal markets and urban food systems
  • Agro-processing and industrial policy

3. Climate, Natural Resources and Resilient Agrarian Systems

This theme addresses environmental sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems.

Topics may include:

  • Climate geopolitics and agricultural resilience
  • Carbon markets and climate adaptation
  • Biodiversity and conservation agriculture
  • Sustainable land management
  • Human–wildlife interface and ecological governance

4. Innovation, Technology, Equity and Knowledge Systems

This theme integrates technological transformation with social inclusion and institutional change.

Topics may include:

  • Digital agriculture and artificial intelligence
  • Data governance and digital platforms
  • Innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship
  • Gender and equity in agricultural transformation
  • Indigenous knowledge systems