Agriculture and Social Protection as a Theological Framework for Combating Poverty in Developing Nations

Abstract

Agriculture and social protection are interwoven fields that contribute to economic, social, and political stability and promote human well-being. Shaped by theological frameworks, these domains ensure food security, reduce inequality, and uphold human dignity. Theological principles grounded in ethics, spirituality, and communal values guide societies and inform human morals. This study examines how integrating agriculture and social protection through a theological framework can alleviate poverty and protect vulnerable groups. It affirms that theological worldviews and contemporary systems of these two academic disciplines are instrumental in alleviating poverty. Two questions were addressed: i) What is the role of agriculture and social protection in alleviating poverty? ii) How does a theological framework integrate and shape contemporary agriculture and social protection to alleviate poverty? Data were derived from scriptural and scholarly sources obtained through Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, ResearchGate, Academia, and institutional repositories. The study's main themes were integrating social protection into agricultural programs, protecting vulnerable groups, and foundational biblical perspectives on social protection. The findings validated that agriculture and social protection protect marginalized groups and reduce poverty. Modern technological systems help predict climate change and support appropriate agricultural inputs to increase food security. This integration can help inform policies and standards in state and faith-based development.