Sunday, June 3, 2012

GMOs vs IFDA


Picture:
This picture id of a women taking a farming course like one offered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development or the IFDA
 Picture from: betterorganicfarming.com












Read More at: http://www.naturalnews.com/035770_agriculture_poverty_hunger.html
Summary:
The UN created a worldwide investigation a few years ago to try to come up with ideas to prevent world hunger, because of the world’s increase in population. The investigation involved experts and a lot of time to complete. The investigations reporter, Oliver De Schutter, explains: "We won't solve hunger and stop climate change with industrial farming on large plantations. The solution lies in supporting small-scale farmers [and to] contribute to rural development. Each region must be able to feed itself." The UN report also stated that locking farmers into GMO seed contracts was certain to destroy most farmers. Dr. Vandana Shiva, a farming activist who lives in India explains:  "Seeds controlled by Monsanto, agribusiness trade controlled by Cargill, processing controlled by Pepsi and Phillip Morris, retail controlled by Wal-Mart - is a recipe for food dictatorship. We must occupy the food system to create food democracy." The International Fund for Agricultural Development or the IFAD has created training programs for small rustic farmers. This will help the small farmers understand some of the better basic natural farming techniques. This way they will not need to use GMOs excessive chemicals. This also ensures fresher, healthier food for consumers. The farmers can also enjoy higher profits within regional direct marketing networks. Here in the U.S, buying from local farmers and farmers markets as often as possible will help the IFAD and help world hunger.
Reaction:
I really did not know about the study the UN did, I wish it had more media attention. I think that it is really important for the entire world to know this information and to become involved. Hunger is not just an issue here in the U.S.A but everywhere in the world. People throughout the world should become more interested in it. I know my mom and I try to shop at farmers markets whenever we can and love to go to Lancaster on weekends and buy fruits and vegetable from local farmers. It is nice to hear that I am making a small difference without even realizing it.
Follow up questions:
1.)    Was it a good idea for the UN to create and carry out the investigation? Why or why not?

2.)    Should the UN do another investigation in a couple of years to see what changes have been made and if anything improved?

3.)    Should the IFDA create for farming courses here in the U.S.A or should learning how to harm without GMOs and chemicals our responsibility, since we have access to newer technology?

3 comments:

  1. Reflection:
    I think it's great that the UN is making an effort to prevent world hunger. If they succeed, they would have solved one of the most important and challenging of the world's problems. But is the organization trying to train farmers for their specific climates? Because I thought that the climate of places like Africa was what lead to their unusable soil. I really hope they can because the issue of world hunger has always been the one that upsets me the most; more than the environmental problems we are dealing with! I also do shop for produce at local markets, like Tanner Bros. Our family finds that the fruit is fresher and tastes better there (rather than a supermarket like ACME).
    Expansion-Link:
    http://www.wfp.org/hunger
    Here is a link to the official site on UN's plan to end world hunger. Here you can see what their goals are, how you can get involved, news regarding their work, and more. This is a great site for those who are interested in ending world hunger and want to see what they can do to help!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow,great article Nasrine. I really did not know about this issue. Keep up the great blogs!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Reflection:
    It is indeed a great thing that UN is putting an effort in trying to solve world hunger. Human's long fought problem is world hunger and I think that the idea each region is responsible for their own food is a rather good idea. That means no land will be overly stressed out to support the most of the population. It is also very sad that there is a possibility of food dictatorship. I read about how food dictatorship is much more powerful than any human weapon we have. It is also a glad thing thing that UN is planning the project to be carried out without the use of GMOs. Though it is a wonder how areas like desert that will have hard time growing food will be able to support themselves. Maybe they are going to revive the desert using lots and lots of water in the process. I think it would be a good choice to start going to our local farmers for fresher and organically grown produce.
    Question 2:
    I think that UN should do an investigation on the progress every few years because in large project like this one, everything doesn't work out the way it was originally planned to be done. Also, considering how much impact that this project has (it deals with what people eat)if anything were to go wrong and completely course out of the expected route, it will affect many people, therefore, the UN must keep on checking on the progress so that no one gets hurt.

    ReplyDelete