Food security
Food security
Famine Is Over in Somalia - UN
The United Nations (UN) says that an exceptional harvest after good rains and food deliveries by aid agencies have ended famine in Somalia although conditions remain fragile and could worsen.
UN humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, warns that the gains are fragile and will be reversed without continued support.
In a press statement, he says that there are 1.7 million people in Southern Somalia still in crisis. He further states that millions of people still need food, clean water, shelter and other assistance to survive and the situation is expected to deteriorate in May.
To read the article titled, “Famine is over in Somalia, says UN,” click here.Source:News24FAO to Eradicate Hunger Globally
The new director general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, has indicated that Africa will be his priority at a time of limited resources.
Graziano da Silva, who played an important role in Brazil's successful ‘zero hunger’ initiative, argued the key to improving food security in Africa is the political will to eradicate hunger, which could in turn be translated into action through financial resources, research and good practice.
Graziano da Silva stated that many of the poor countries in Africa have no facility of going to the donors, adding that, “The FAO will be there to support those countries to achieve the desired results."
To read the article titled, "New FAO Chief moves on global eradication of hunger," click here.Source:Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)Africa Urged to Support Farmers
The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network says that African governments should put their money where their mouths are when it comes to farming.
The Network CEO, Lindiwe Sibanda, told reporters at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that in the 2003 Maputo Declaration, countries on the continent agreed to devote 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture.
Sibanda argues that, "Eight years later, only 10 African countries have done this. We are not investing where our mouth is."
To read t he article titled, “Africa 'must support small farmers',” click here.Source:The CitizenClimate Change Impacts on Food Security
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is sitting on a long list of farmers applying for aid relief, with their plight prompted by adverse change in weather patterns.
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, says that weather conditions such as hail have a negative impact on farming communities and threaten food security.
"We have received requests from farmers for assistance because their crop was destroyed by hail. We have a long list of them," explains Mayathula-Khoza.
To read the article titled, “Climate change effect on food security: govt priority,” click here.Source:SowetanClimate Change Threatens Rivers – Experts
Experts have warned that climate change is likely to lead to increased average rainfall in the world's major river basins but weather patterns will be fickle and the timing of wet seasons may change, threatening farming and food stocks.
The International Centre for Tropical Agriculture’s Simon Cook, points out that, "In some parts of the Limpopo even widespread adoption of innovations like drip irrigation may not be enough to overcome the negative effects of climate change on water availability."
Challenge Programme on Water and Food director Alain Vidal, is of the view that, "Such changes will create a management nightmare and require a much greater focus on adaptive approaches and long-term climate projections than historically have been necessary."
To read the article titled, “African rivers at risk from climate change,” click here.Source:News24FAO: Traditional Crops Key to Facing Climate Change
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) says that traditional food crops and other plant varieties worldwide are in urgent need of protection from climate change and other environmental stresses.
FAO director-general, Jacques Diouf, called on countries to develop specific policies to conserve and make wider use of plant varieties for generations to come.
Diouf, whose comments came as FAO observed the 10th anniversary of the international treaty to protect and share plant genetic resources, also lauded the injection of US$6 million made available through the treaty to help farmers of traditional crops adapt to climate change.
To read the article titled, “FAO says traditional crops key to facing climate change,” click here.Source:All AfricaWorld Vision Sow the Seeds of Success in Umzimvubu
Started in 1998 by the Damane family in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, the Ntantaise Food Security Project has now grown into a community garden project, with close to 30 members. Through World Vision’s intervention, the 52 hectare land project has become a significant source of food and income for community members, who would not otherwise be able to produce their own food. A sentiment recently echoed by the Department of Agriculture during a flea market, where the project was awarded for its excellent vegetable produce.
Depending on season, some of the garden fresh produce includes turnips, cabbages, beans, pumpkin, beetroot, etc. The community members who work in the garden acknowledge the positive difference the garden has brought in the area. “Gardening involves physical activity so it helps both elderly and young improve their physical fitness and this decreases susceptibility to illnesses and overall reduces the burden on the health care system, which in any case is almost non-existent in our location”, noted a community member. Studies show the following health benefits to be associated with involvement in community gardening: strengthened immunity, reduced rates of asthma, decreased stress, increased overall sense of well-being and reduced risk of childhood lead poisoning.
As a child-focused organisation, World Vision, through Umzimvubu Area Development Programme (ADP), has boosted the project to ensure it becomes a success. To meet the challenge of water scarcity in this dry area, World Vision purchased a much needed water pump machine (at a cost of more than R30 000) and provided garden tools and seeds to the project.
Recently, the community garden members walked away with a trophy during a provincial flea market, awarded as number one vegetable producers exhibiting. “The flea market was a breakthrough for us, we came back with a good profit from selling the vegetables on the flea market and made contacts with some decision-makers in the retail sector”, said one of the project founders, Nokuzola Damane. Women who work in the garden do not get paid, but they are able to provide a healthy plate of food for their families.
The children join their parents in the garden after school, a practice encouraged by World Vision. “Researchers will tell you that learning to grow plants is mentally stimulating and adds to the children’s wealth of knowledge and expertise. It also teaches them to think sustainability and use of long-term problem-solving skills rather than relying on quick-fix, short-term solutions”, said Umzimvubu ADP manager, James Mboto.
The project has become more of a community building initiative as it has increased the sense of ownership, stewardship, fostering the development of community identity and spirit.
- Olwetu Gwanya is the communications officer at World Vision South Africa.Author(s):Olwetu GwanyaFarmers Urged to Invest in Equipment
Marthinus Loock, senior manager of Agri Business at Standard Bank, has urged farmers to increase focus on buying new equipment to survive the volatility of the agricultural market.
Loock says that the increase in tractor sales this year indicated that farmers are capitalising on what has been an extremely favourable situation triggered by a combination of the strong rand, a low interest environment, and improved commodity prices.
Loock, who is of the view that food prices will remain high, states that with factors such as increasing population pressure, extreme weather conditions and increasing input costs, “It is pivotal to incorporate new technology into your production system to benefit from lower production costs."
To read the article titled, “Food security lies in new equipment,” click here.Source:The SowetanCall for New Constitution to Protect Gays Rights
Zimbabwe Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has made an about turn on homosexuality, insisting he wants to see gay rights enshrined in the envisaged new constitution.
Tsvangirai has been quoted by the BBC News channel as saying that gay rights are also ‘human rights’ that should be respected by all Zimbabweans.
He said that gay rights are “a very controversial subject in my part of the world” adding that, “My attitude is that I hope the constitution will come out with freedom of sexual orientation, for as long as it does not interfere with anybody’"
To read the article titled, “Tsvangirai Embraces Gay Rights,” click here.Source:All AfricaUN World Food Security Committee Meets
The United Nations Committee on World Food Security opened its new session in Rome, a day after observing the World Food Day under the theme ‘Food Prices – from Crisis to Stability’.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) goodwill ambassador and actor, Jeremy Lyons, points out that, “In our world, billions of dollars are spent on aid and investment. Billions of words are spoken, written, promising change and a billion people still go hungry every day.”
Lyons questions whether it’s a matter of money or the way aid money is spent, adding that he wonders whether a whole new approach to combating hunger is needed.
To read the article the article titled, “UN World Food Security Committee Meets in Rome,” click here.Source:VOA News
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Events
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Monday, February 13, 2012
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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