Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book conceptualizes the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture in post-conflict environments as well as identifying practical solutions to achieve sustainable agricultural production, which is central to the survival of humanity. It covers issues of local and global concern ranging from community-level subsistence farming to industrialized farming, and from localized shortages of natural resources to climate change. The book focuses on a number of key areas of challenges for the recovery of agriculture in challenging environments. The environment, infrastructure, social structures and skills, economy, and governance systems necessary to maintain agricultural production are fragile and easily damaged during conflict. The theme of 'Stabilization Agriculture' is a joint area of research focus between the two flagship centres of Coventry University: Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies (CPRS) and Centre for Agroecology and Food Security (CAFS).