Future Food Sustainability Can Be Traced Back into Local People’s Socio-Cultural Roots in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

Sustainable food system ensures adequate and safe food supply in an eco-friendly manner. We assessed food sustainability perception and practices of local community through structured interviews in sub-alpine settlements of Uttarakhand Himalaya. Major perceived challenges towards food sustainability were identified using Rank-Based Quotient analysis. Association with various socio-demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, education, socio-economy, and socio-culture) was tested. An overall neutral perception (mean score 2.9) and moderately sustainable practices (mean score 3.1) were observed. Respondents with higher socio-cultural score showed more sustainable food sourcing practices and more positive social and economic sustainability perception, as well as higher participatory willingness. Female respondents were more dependent on sustainable food sources than the males. Education level influenced food quality choice. People identified higher food production cost as major economic constraint; while small landholdings and labor migration were main social challenges. Land and water management issues and climate uncertainty were the major environmental constraints. Socio-cultural exposure played significant role in ranking these sustainability constraints. We encourage direct involvement of socio-culturally active people and conducting extensive outreach programs for future sustainable local food system in vulnerable Himalayan valleys.