Food Insecurity in Mali: Exploring the Role of the Moral Economy

Abstract

Summary This article challenges the view that the ‘moral economy’ has little relevance to the problems of food insecurity and famine in the contemporary context. Fieldwork in central Mali reveals an array of social practices and institutions which help farming households minimize the risk of food insecurity, and to cope with food crises when they occur. Based on the dual principles of mutual insurance and self interest, this ‘moral economy’ mediates a significant but not necessarily equitable flow of non‐market transfers ranging from cereal gifts to village cereal bank loans and labour exchange. Resumé L'Insécurité Alimentaire Au Mali: Une Exploration De Role De L'Économie Morale Cet article cherche à remettre en question l'opinion que l'éonomie dite ‘morale’ est peu pertinente en ce qui concerne les problèmes de l'insécurité alimentaire et de la famine dans le contexte actuel. Le travail sur le terrain dan les régions centrales du Mali a révélé un éventail d'institutions et de pratiques sociales qui aident les ménages d'agriculteurs à réduire au minimum les risques d'insécurité alimentaire, et à faire face aux crises dans l'alimentation lorsque celles‐ci se produisent. Fondée sur les principes jumeaux de l'assurance mutuelle et de l'intérêt personnel, cette ‘économie morale’ se veut médiatrice d'un trafic important (mais pour autant, parfois inéquitable) en tranferts non‐commerciaux, qui s'élèvent des simples dons de céréales jusqu'aux prêts par la banque de céréales du village, et aux échanges de main‐d'oeuvre. Resumen Inseguridad Alimentaria En Mali: Exploración Del Papel De La Econima Moral Este artículo cuestiona la opinión de que la ‘economía moral’ tiene poca pertinencia para los problemas de seguridad alimentaria y hambre en un contexto contemporáneo. El trabajo en el terreno en Mali Central revela un cúmulo de prácticas sociales e instituciones que ayudan a las familias de agricultores a minimizar el riesgo de la inseguridad alimentaria, y a enfrentar las crisis de excasez cuando ocurren. Basándose en el doble principio de seguridad mutua e interés propio, esta “economía moral” procura un flujo significativo pero no necesariamente equitativo de transferencias no‐mercantiles que van desde regalos de cereal a préstamos bancarios cerealeros e intercambio laboral.

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