Why we must shift from “industrial-chemical-monoculture” food systems to “local, diverse, agro-ecological ” food systems…before it is too late.
Why we must shift from “industrial-chemical-monoculture” food systems to “local, diverse, agro-ecological ” food systems…before it is too late.
Good people,
The month of April 2019 is here and with it the beginning of the 2rd quarter of the year. The much awaited long rains are yet to start. The manifestations of the Equinox – unusually high temperatures - have been particularly punishing…there is a sense of gloom and doom… the negative socio-economic effects are evident; from famine to high inflationary rates…and more.
Here are some of the reasons why we should urgently shift away the conventional “industrial-chemical-monoculture” food production model…before it is too late.
- More than six years ago, a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report published on September 18th, 2013 called for radical changes in agriculture and food production stating that: “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”, the report recommends.
- The same document urges world leaders to “wake up before it is too late”: http://www.arc2020.eu/unctad-wake-up-before-its-too-late/
- World renowned environmental thinker and activist, Dr. Vandana Shiva, has constantly warned humanity of the inequality and disparity created by the “Billionnaires Club” who, increasingly, seek to control global resources and power, to the detriment of 99% of humanity, in her new book: Oneness: https://www.alliance-editeurs.org/oneness-vs-the-1-shattering,1540?
- Here is a short video of Vandana Shiva explaining the unfolding ecological disaster with this unsustainable model:
What is the way forward?
- The IAASTD Report: An authoritative watershed UN-FAO/World Bank Report on way forward for agriculture: A link here: https://www.globalagriculture.org/fileadmin/files/weltagrarbericht/IAASTDBerichte/IAASTDExecutiveSummarySynthesisReport.pdf and The UNCTAD report;http://www.arc2020.eu/unctad-wake-up-before-its-too-late/, recommend a shift to diverse, local agro-ecological food production systems, including organic agriculture, as the solution.
- As part of the way forward, we continue to share evidence for policy advocacy and awareness creation with various stakeholders, including policy makers, farmers and consumers:
- We advocate for agroecologicl food production systems as able to feed the world.
- Together with other like-minded groups, we continue to educate and involve everyone, especially the youth-the millennial. They are the greatest losers(or winners) from this asymmetrical power and control of the food system:
In conclusion, we have an obligation to bequeath our children a safer and more livable future devoid of ill health and enslavement from the 1% who own the “toxic herbicides/pesticides” which help grow the “patented monocultures”, as commodities for trade, rather than as safe, nutrient rich foods: The upcoming 1st International Conference on Agroecology is about the WHY and more: Register here; https://www.worldfoodpreservationcenterpesticidecongress.com/
Organic Consumers Alliance (OCA) focuses on promoting and creating awareness on the health benefits of consuming organic foods.
Our Contacts
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Kaputei Gardens, Lavington
P. O. Box 2398 - 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Kampala Address
Bugolobi no. 19,
P. O. Box xxxxx
P. O. Box 2398 - 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Kampala Address
Bugolobi no. 19,
P. O. Box xxxxx
Phone
+254 738 425 758