THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION
By Team Optifarm
The crises that have shaken our society in recent years are also changing the habits of the population. Some of them may be turning for the better of the people and environment itself.
One of such is self-sufficiency, interest in local products, as the global market has become increasingly unpredictable.
Throughout the years of development, we have relied heavily on globalization – the world market. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, our country imported 2.3 million tons of food and beverages in 2021, which is almost three times as much as 21 years ago (in 2000).
As a result, our eating and shopping habits began to change. Small local grocery stores were replaced by supermarkets. The contact between farmers, growers and buyers was lost in countless kilometers of transport from one corner of the world to – supermarket shelves. The appearance of the products became more important than the quality itself, which is why preservatives or chemicals are added to many food products for longer durability.
»Fruits and vegetables of domestic origin do not require the use of preservatives, so they may be less durable, but they are recognizable by their rich and traditional taste«, is written on our governments website gov.si – about the importance of local self- sufficiency.
They also highlighted:
»Sufficient local productions, processing and consumption is important mainly because of:
- Ensuring state security for the period of economic crises.
- Reducing dependence on foreign trade, which is especially important in times of disrupted supply.
- Arrangement of the countryside and preservation of jobs in the countryside.
- Reduction of poverty and social inequality.
- Environmental protection (long food transports, increased use of packaging and the addition of artificial colors and preservatives).
- Improving the health of the population due to the consumption of better quality food (higher nutritional value, higher content of vitamins.)«
In the northwestern Slovenia, area called Upper Carniola – Zgornja Gorenjska, the Development Agency of Upper Carniola – Ragor (www.ragor.si) also works hard to encourage, support and raise awareness of local self-sufficiency with the project »Local self- sufficiency« in which our company also cooperates.
»With self-care, we relieve the family budget, strengthen mental and physical health and take care of the environment. By supporting local food production, we preserve jobs and enable rural development. Last but not least, locally produced food enabled the country to have sovereignty and nutritional independence«, just to emphasize what is also written on agency Ragor’s website.
This is also what our team in our high-tech company Optifarm is aware of. We developed the Optifarm SMART mobile application - online marketplace for buying local food from farmers and other providers. Through the app you can reach local produce in an easy way – the Optifarm SMART app (the link to the application is on the APP Store or Google Play). Or you can as well download our app to your phone via the link at app.optifarm.net
The Optifarm SMART mobile app offers local food of highest quality in one place. It saves you time, promotes local supplier brands with premium products and produce and allows you to browse, order and deliver fresh local food and produce from farmers and other providers using your preferred delivery method and popular payment method.
Also in a modern, technological way we can support local producers and together raise awareness in society of the importance of self-sufficiency and seasonal food – in benefit of our health and the health of the environment.
Consumers are an important link in the market chain. With our shopping habits we also direct the market and the trends that twist and turn on it. May our habits be more carefully selected in our local environment.
