WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics & Agriculture ’s Post

It's about time we stopped looking at the few commodity crops and looked at a wide range of ecosystem-adapted crops. Seed saving is a time-honored tradition. Saving the seed from the most robust plants in your ecosystem and replanting is the best recipe for crop success. Plants develop traits that are specific to the challenges -and opportunities- of a particular ecosystem. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that plants grown in your garden have medicinal qualities based on the suppression of local pathogens. The same pathogens that may cause allergic reactions in humans could be suppressed by eating the food you've grown. Would we all be healthier if we ate what grew naturally in our neck of the woods? Granted, I'd have to give up coffee and chocolate. But home-canned peaches are delicious. And sugar? I can grow stevia in my garden and dry it. Yes, I realize this requires a radical lifestyle, and mind, shift. Are the people of the world up for it? Am I up for it?

Ahead of the African Food Systems Summit in Kigali next month, African faith leaders, backed by civil society and farmer groups, will issue an open letter to the Gates Foundation. They cite much evidence that the foundation's push for industrialized agriculture, particularly through AGRA, is harming Africa's food systems. This evidence shows that despite over a billion dollars in funding, AGRA's initiatives have increased dependency on costly inputs, eroded local seeds, and weakened climate resilience. The letter calls for reparations and a shift toward sustainable, farmer-led agroecology. Join the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa's (AFSA) press conference next week on August 28th to learn more: 📝An open letter demanding that the Gates Foundation provide reparations for the damage caused by its Green Revolution programs. 🌾The devastating effects of the Green Revolution agenda in Zambia, where corn production has fallen by half and food insecurity is severe. 🔎Research results from AFSA on AGRA’s undue policy influence, which is undermining efforts to promote farmer-led ecological agriculture. Read the full letter: https://lnkd.in/ehVZ979d Register: https://lnkd.in/eJKxzQhz

🌏 Today (Jul 11) is #WorldPopulationDay. According to data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the world population now stands at over 8 billion and is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. As we mark this important occasion, it is crucial that we reflect on the challenges that comes with feeding the growing global population. Here are 3 ways we can enable #foodsecurity resiliency for the growing global population: 🍽 Building Resilient Food Systems A resilient food system ensures a reliable food supply, economic stability, and providing employment opportunities including support for rural livelihoods. To build a resilient system, there is a need to promote the cultivation of diverse crops, give smallholder farmers access to resources such as credit, technology and training that can improve their productivity and resilience as well as improving infrastructure for better supply chain efficiency. 🌾 Agricultural Innovation As the world grapples with climate change and the impact that it has on the food system, innovative agricultural technologies enable farmers to increase productivity sustainably. Advances in crop protection and plant biotechnology means that farmers can grow more food on existing farmland without having to clear additional land. 🤝 Strengthening Partnerships Given how interconnected the food system is, ensuring food security will require a collective effort. Governments, NGOs and the private sector need to work together to create policies and partnerships that supports sustainable food production and equitable distribution. CropLife Asia and our members are committed to increasing productivity and efficiency to improve food security through agricultural innovation. #sustainableagriculture #aginnovation #climatechange #foodsystems #farmers #farming #agriculture

The Zero Hunger Pledge has collected more than USD 609 Million in 50 countries with the involvement of 53 companies.  Countries have pledged to invest on one or more of the 3 priority categories that Ceres2030 identified as the most effective to end hunger by 2030:  🔵 Empower the excluded  🔵 Stronger farmers and crops   🔵 Food value chain Bayer has pledged to support projects in different continents - Africa, Asia, and Latin America - focusing on research and development to get quality vegetable seeds into the hands of smallholder farmers, to provide even more growers with seeds of Bayer Arize hybrid rice and to invest through partnerships and additional programs. 🌱 The company pledged USD 160 million in all three Ceres2030 categories mentioned above. 🙌 What a great support to #EndHunger! #Africa #LatinAmerica #Asia #SmallholderFarmers #ResearchAndDevelopment #ResilientCrop Rodrigo Santos Gabriela Burian (she/her) 🇧🇷🇫🇷🇨🇿🇺🇸 International Rice Research Institute Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Sustainable Rice Platform Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Bill Anderson Wolfgang Nickl Stefan Oelrich Heike Prinz Julio Triana Bob Reiter Brian Naber Amanda McClerren Frank Terhorst Gabriele Oehlschlaeger Malu Nachreiner Jens Hartmann Jeremy Williams Oliver Rittgen Maurício Rodrigues Sascha Israel Jessica Christiansen

Is it radical to shift from fertiliser input subsidies to Soil Health Payments? Fertiliser use efficiency in Malawi has declined over the years, mostly because soil health has declined. We propose a payment system to farmers for soil health practices that enhance soil health and ultimately improve productivity, nutrition outcomes and build climate resilience. See our paper released at COP28. Thanks to the many who have helped in making this happen. Jacob Nyirongo, Blessings Botha, Jan Duchoslav, Christone Nyondo, Ishmael Sunga, Lini Wollenberg, Felicitas Röhrig, Sophia Baumert, Dhanush Dinesh, Leanne Zeppenfeldt, Wiebe Smit, Rachel Waterhouse, Richard Chazika, Fred Chibwana, Giles Henley, The Centre for Agricultural Transformation, Clim-Eat, Gertrude Mgogo-Kambauwa, Andrew W.A Kansungwi, Derrick Kapolo, Ann-Kathrin Lichtner, Cuthbert Lunduka, Stephanie Heiland, Joyce Grevulo Minofu, James Mlamba, Lovemore Mtsitsi, Constance Munyenyembe, Thokozani Njima, Mbawaka Phiri https://lnkd.in/dP85UCiG

An idea that has been circulating for a number of years in the global coverage of food sustainability is getting a bit more sunlight. The United States is planning to help African farmers shift away from staple cereals to more traditional plants, such as millets and cassava. The initiative is designed to spur the development of a variety of nutritious, indigenous crops that might also prove more resilient to climate change. The transition could also improve soil health while making farmers less dependent on commercial seeds for maize, wheat, and rice, which can come with heavy fees. Remembering that the ten top fastest growing cities in the word are all in Africa...and they all need to be fed....and no vertical farm will achieve that unfortunately. The face of the United States’ efforts is Cary Fowler, who has been armed with $100 million by the U.S. State Department to begin assisting farmers in shifting their food production. It’s a chance to revive what are known as “orphan crops” — or as Fowler calls them, “opportunity crops”. Launched a year ago, the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, as the initiative is called, is a State Department partnership with the African Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization. It’s currently focused on about 60 crops that are among the most nutritious available in Africa’s five sub regions, supporting efforts to breed and improve the plants — both for human consumption and to weather a changing climate. Those include crops such as millets, which were long a staple in Asia and Africa but fell out of favour as cereals like maize and rice came to dominate the market in places where they were traditionally grown could assist smallholder farmers and diversify diets. See an article in the New York Times that gives more information as per this link https://lnkd.in/eRfGRsgc or view "The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS)" on the US Department of States website as per this link - https://lnkd.in/ertFuE7R #farming #agriculture #horticulture #freshproduce #farminginafrica #africandevelopment #africanbusiness

How did Africa became a net importer of food when it was once a net exporter? This was a question asked by Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, the African Union's Special Envoy for Food Systems and Chair of the Zero Hunger Coalition, during his presentation at the launch event for two new reports by the the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (#VACS). For Dr Mayaki, VACS is a significant step towards achieving food security and crop diversity in Africa and aligns well with initiatives underway by the African Union. He highlighted three key issues that need to be addressed to combat food insecurity on the continent: 1. Improve soil health for long term agricultural sustainability. According to an FAO and African Union Development Agency-NEPAD study, up to 65% of productive land is degraded. Sustainable land management practices that integrates soil management are needed as well as training to empower farmers. 2. Enhance seed quality and diversity. This includes, for example, seed testing and the adoption of climate resilient seeds. For Dr Mayaki, this is critical to food security, improving livelihoods and ensuring nutritious diets. Important work is currently being undertaken by the #AfricanOrphanCropConsortium. 3. Invest in climate resilient practices and sustainable agriculture. However, this will require the adoption of a holistic approach. VACS is a partnership between the #AfricanUnion, #FAO, and the Office of the Special Envoy for Food Security at the U.S. State Department. Special Envoy for Global Food Security Dr. Cary Fowler | FAO | Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) | International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) | Shamba Centre for Food & Climate | World Food Programme https://lnkd.in/eGaDPCWZ

🌍 Exciting News in Sustainable Agriculture! 🌱 I recently came across a fascinating article in The New York Times highlighting Cary Fowler's efforts, the U.S. State Department's global envoy for food security, to transform global agriculture. Moving away from decades-long American policies of promoting staple grains like maize in Africa, Fowler is pioneering a return to traditional, nutrient-rich crops such as cowpeas, cassava, and a variety of millets, aptly termed "opportunity crops." This initiative, though in its nascent stage with a $100 million budget, is a strategic move to combat the dual challenges of food insecurity and climate change. Hailed as "genuinely revolutionary" by Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, this approach could significantly impact nutrition and soil health. It's a reminder that sometimes the most innovative solutions lie in our past, offering a beacon of hope for sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. #Agriculture #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #ClimateChange #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gFeBnm8i

I am so thrilled to come across this fantastic article in The New York Times discussing a "revolutionary" approach to global food security! As a documentary filmmaker passionate about seed biodiversity, this resonates deeply with the themes explored in my work. Cary Fowler, the U.S. global food security envoy, is championing a shift in U.S. foreign policy, advocating for the resurgence of traditional crops like cowpeas, cassava, and millets in the Global South. These "opportunity crops," as he calls them, are not only robust and nutrient-rich but also resilient to the challenges posed by climate change. By prioritizing traditional crops that have sustained communities for thousands of years, the team aims to enhance agricultural productivity, ensuring food security in the face of climate-related uncertainties. It's inspiring to witness a departure from the conventional focus on staple grains, and instead, embracing the diversity of crops that thrive in local ecologies. This move aligns with the principles of seed diversity and soil health, crucial components for the well-being of smallholder farmers. #sustainability #foodsecurity #traditionalcrops #seeddiversity #biodiversity #climatesolutions

Plantation agriculture encapsulates the core practice of colonialism. Food sovereignty is achievable only in a decolonised food system. - Nnimmo Bassey of our grassroots partner, Health of Mother Earth Foundation https://lnkd.in/eprp2NBu