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Industrial food systems produce most of the food that we consume globally today. But many observers acknowledge that industrial agriculture cannot be sustained in the long run. As such, agroecological practices that encourage sustainable farming practices with a focus on local markets and the local economy are being promoted more and more to change the way food systems work. The current research examines how rural youth can best be involved in food system transformation as a potential agent of change. The research considers the potential of payments for environmental services (PESs) in the study area. The economic potential of gastronomic agri-ecotourism in various traditional agricultural landscapes of different agroecosystems of India has also been investigated. Gastronomic agri-ecotourism has the potential to provide economic benefits to traditional agricultural landscapes and agroecosystems while also promoting sustainable tourism practices. The results of an exploratory study on rural youth participation in nature-friendly agroecological regenerative farming and culinary agri-ecotourism initiatives are presented in this paper in an effort to increase the sustainability of conventional farming and food systems. This study, which was carried out in four different agroecological settings in India, sheds light on the opportunities and problems faced by rural youth, as well as their motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small-scale ecological farming methods of Uttarakhand hills are key to ensuring resilience to climate change as these are based on enhancing diversity, thereby increasing options to respond to climate instability. Beside eco-nutrition, local community-level economic incentives are also considered important for sustainability of traditional hill farming and food systems. Feasibility of integrating four local marketing initiatives to traditional hill farming, i) promoting community-supported organic/biodynamic agriculture (CSA), ii) linking traditional farming with school meal (MDM) programs, iii) enhanced market access and value chain development for local plant food resources, and iv) creating off-farm employment opportunity at community level for rural youths, among others, are explored in the present study. The need of re-assessing existing food and nutrition-related health and agriculture policy, and developing cross-sectoral implementation strategies on food and livelihood security, nutrition, and health was also addressed. The outcomes are expected to set priorities for state policy for a more profitable local level agriculture and regenerative food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]