Who Really Feeds the World?: The Failures of Agribusiness and the Promise of Agroecology by Vandana Shiva Summary

Who Really Feeds the World? critiques industrial agribusiness for exacerbating hunger and environmental harm, arguing that agroecology—a system prioritizing biodiversity, small-scale farming, and ecological balance—offers a sustainable solution. Vandana Shiva highlights the role of seed diversity, women’s contributions to food production, and the failures of chemical-dependent monocultures.

This book is essential for environmentalists, policymakers, farmers, and anyone interested in food justice or sustainable agriculture. It appeals to readers seeking alternatives to corporate-driven farming models and those concerned about climate change, biodiversity loss, and equitable food systems.

Yes—Shiva’s decades of research and activism provide a compelling case for reimagining food production. While some critique the book’s repetitive style, its insights into agroecology’s potential to address hunger and ecological crises make it a vital read for understanding global food challenges.

Agroecology emphasizes farming in harmony with ecosystems, using biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and localized systems. Unlike industrial agriculture, which relies on monocultures, synthetic chemicals, and genetic modification, agroecology prioritizes soil health, small farmers, and equity.

Shiva argues women are central to food security, as they historically steward seed diversity, manage small farms, and uphold traditional agricultural practices. Industrial agribusiness often marginalizes their contributions, exacerbating inequality and ecological damage.

The book condemns the Green Revolution for promoting chemical fertilizers, patented seeds, and monocultures, which degraded soils, reduced biodiversity, and trapped farmers in debt. Shiva advocates returning to Indigenous practices and seed sovereignty to rebuild resilient food systems.

Seed saving preserves genetic diversity and empowers farmers to avoid corporate-controlled GMOs. Shiva links seed sovereignty to food security, arguing that agroecology depends on open-pollinated, locally adapted seeds rather than patented varieties.

Shiva opposes GMOs, stating they intensify corporate control over agriculture, harm biodiversity, and fail to address hunger. She argues GMOs prioritize profit over ecological health and often worsen farmers’ economic vulnerability.

Some readers find the book repetitive or overly ideological, while others question its data presentation. However, its core arguments—advocating agroecology and condemning industrial agriculture—are widely praised for their clarity and urgency.

Industrial agriculture’s reliance on fossil fuels, deforestation, and synthetic chemicals exacerbates climate change, Shiva argues. Agroecology reduces emissions by enhancing soil carbon, eliminating chemical inputs, and decentralizing food production.

The book advocates transitioning to agroecology, supporting small farmers, preserving seed diversity, and localizing food systems. Shiva stresses policy shifts to prioritize ecological health over corporate profits.

Like Soil Not Oil and Earth Democracy, this book ties ecological justice to systemic change. However, Who Really Feeds the World? specifically targets industrial agriculture’s failures, offering agroecology as a tangible alternative.