Progress in the New Alliance? Not in support of small-scale food producers by G7/G8 Civil Society Organisations | 23 Sep 2014 corporations | food sovereignty Two years after the launch of the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, it seems clear that it actually undermines food security, nutrition and the progressive realization of the right to food in Africa. Two years after the launch of the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, it seems clear that it actually undermines food security, nutrition and the progressive realization of the right to food in Africa.
Goodbye and thank you, Sarath! by Asian Peasant Coalition | 9 Sep 2014 Sri Lanka | food sovereignty “In Sri Lanka, my greatest desire is to enlighten the plantation population, about a million, that they have their own land to till and be a dignified citizens in the country” – Sarath Fernando, founder of Sri Lanka's Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform, 1942-2014 “In Sri Lanka, my greatest desire is to enlighten the plantation population, about a million, that they have their own land to till and be a dignified citizens in the country” – Sarath Fernando, founder of Sri Lanka's Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform, 1942-2014
Agriculture in 'terrible crisis': Indian farmers are struggling to survive by Devinder Sharma | 25 Aug 2014 India | food sovereignty | laws & policies The effort by the World Trade Organization to reshape Indian agricultural policies comes at a time when Indian agriculture is faced with a terrible agrarian crisis. The environmental impacts of the intensively-farmed Green Revolution have become a full-blown crisis of sustainability. With soil fertility devastated, water tables plummeting as a result of relentless water mining, environmental contamination from excessive use and abuse of chemical pesticides, the entire farming equation has gone wrong. The effort by the World Trade Organization to reshape Indian agricultural policies comes at a time when Indian agriculture is faced with a terrible agrarian crisis. The environmental impacts of the intensively-farmed Green Revolution have become a full-blown crisis of sustainability. With soil fertility devastated, water tables plummeting as a result of relentless water mining, environmental contamination from excessive use and abuse of chemical pesticides, the entire farming equation has gone wrong.
'Hungry for land' in the Guardian by Guardian | 28 May 2014 land grabbing | corporations | food sovereignty John Vidal of The Guardian covers GRAIN's 'Hungry for land' report John Vidal of The Guardian covers GRAIN's 'Hungry for land' report
Feeding nine billion: Five steps to the wrong solution by Eric Holt-Giménez | 28 Apr 2014 technologies | food crisis | food sovereignty An excellent rebuttal of those that argue that we need more technology to feed the world. By Eric Holt-Giménez of Food First. An excellent rebuttal of those that argue that we need more technology to feed the world. By Eric Holt-Giménez of Food First.
Soil to sky: agroecology vs. industrial agriculture by Christensen Fund | 8 Feb 2014 corporations | food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity A great educational poster contrasting industrial agriculture and agroecology. By the Christensen Fund. A great educational poster contrasting industrial agriculture and agroecology. By the Christensen Fund.
India's new milky way by Jyotika Sood | 4 Feb 2014 India | food sovereignty Private players are entering the Indian dairy market in a big way. Dairy cooperatives, which ushered in the White Revolution, need to expand and strengthen their network to protect the interests of small dairy farmers. But the cooperatives are hampered by political interference, unsustainable subsidies and poor marketing strategies. In such a scenario, the National Dairy Development Board is promoting a model—milk producer companies—to compete with private companies. Is it the right strategy? Private players are entering the Indian dairy market in a big way. Dairy cooperatives, which ushered in the White Revolution, need to expand and strengthen their network to protect the interests of small dairy farmers. But the cooperatives are hampered by political interference, unsustainable subsidies and poor marketing strategies. In such a scenario, the National Dairy Development Board is promoting a model—milk producer companies—to compete with private companies. Is it the right strategy?
Food sovereignty: A critical dialogue by Future Agricultures | 22 Jan 2014 food sovereignty On 24 January 2014, the event ‘Food Sovereignty: A Critical Dialogue’ will bring together sceptics and advocates of food sovereignty to discuss the future of this contested idea in critical agrarian studies. On 24 January 2014, the event ‘Food Sovereignty: A Critical Dialogue’ will bring together sceptics and advocates of food sovereignty to discuss the future of this contested idea in critical agrarian studies.
How Bill Gates is helping KFC take over Africa by Alex Park, Mother Jones | 13 Jan 2014 Mozambique | South Africa | Zambia | corporations | food sovereignty The Gates Foundation and USAID are helping the Colonel's African expansion, perhaps at the expense of local farmers. The Gates Foundation and USAID are helping the Colonel's African expansion, perhaps at the expense of local farmers.
Africa's unfair battle (part 6): 'The entire food aid system is perverted' by Michaela Schiessl | 13 Nov 2013 food sovereignty | laws & policies Industrialised nations spend billions to subsidise their high-tech farming industries. Surplus crops often end up being sold at rock-bottom prices in the markets of developing countries, making it impossible for local farmers to sell their products. Even the American food aid being sent to famine-plagued regions creates more suffering than it alleviates, because many governments prefer to wait for handouts than buy up their farmers' harvests. The lack of options is forcing thousands of Africans to risk the life-threatening journey to Europe. Industrialised nations spend billions to subsidise their high-tech farming industries. Surplus crops often end up being sold at rock-bottom prices in the markets of developing countries, making it impossible for local farmers to sell their products. Even the American food aid being sent to famine-plagued regions creates more suffering than it alleviates, because many governments prefer to wait for handouts than buy up their farmers' harvests. The lack of options is forcing thousands of Africans to risk the life-threatening journey to Europe.
Take ‘mosaic’ approach to agriculture, boost support for small farmers, UNCTAD Report urges by UNCTAD | 19 Sep 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends. Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends.
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms by Brandon Keim | 17 Sep 2013 United States | corporations | climate crisis | food sovereignty Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from. Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from.
Africa’s food sovereignty under attack by corporate Interests by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 21 Aug 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed. Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed.
Is Africa about to lose the right to her seed? by Glenn Ashton | 23 Apr 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies Seed and the control of seed lies at the heart of agriculture. In Africa around 80% of seed comes from local and community saved seed resources. This seed is adapted to local conditions. It forms an integral part of community food security and agricultural integrity. This entire traditional system is now under threat. Seed and the control of seed lies at the heart of agriculture. In Africa around 80% of seed comes from local and community saved seed resources. This seed is adapted to local conditions. It forms an integral part of community food security and agricultural integrity. This entire traditional system is now under threat.
Mozambican youth and students denounce G8's New Alliance by ADECRU | 17 Apr 2013 Mozambique | food sovereignty | laws & policies Youth and student group Academic Action for the Development of Rural Communities (ADECRU) call G8's New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa an attack against Africa's food sovereignty, cultural diversity and biodiversity. Youth and student group Academic Action for the Development of Rural Communities (ADECRU) call G8's New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa an attack against Africa's food sovereignty, cultural diversity and biodiversity.