Food Ideology Making Millions Go Hungry

Now Europe wants to go organic having tried all things science, Africa wants to try science having remained hungry in all things organic.

This may come as a surprise to you that at one point European explorers were amazed at the sight of Africans in their 'birth suits' (naked). Using religion and education; they pushed 'civilization' of dress onto the African people. Now one reads of African governments arresting European tourists for being scantily dressed! You witness African civil servants sweating in three piece suits in a tropical climate.

The recent news that organic foods have no extra health benefits (Organic ‘has no health benefits’ 29 July BBC News ) points at the possibility of famine generated by food ideological debate. Peasant farmers (an estimated 75% of population) in sub Sahara Africa with no access to fertilizer or improved farm seeds, basically engage in organic farming. You can guess the confusion to farmers when food production turns ideological: for or against science? Now Europe wants to go organic having tried all things science, Africa wants to try science having remained hungry in all things organic.

As in the dress ideology, science might dictate that a “civilized” African abandons suits for some other form of dress that can keep one cool in the hot tropical climate. It is estimated that African peasants live on less than a dollar a day – read - they generate less than $750 million in economic activity per day. Most likely, they rely on the other 250 million urban population to keep the continent’s GDP alive. To feed the hungry, one would conclude that we need science to upscale productivity. That is where stewardship comes in to ensure safety for all.

James Shikwati

Please post your response to James in the Community Forum or email getintouch@stewardshipcommunity.com and your response will be posted for you. Your name can be withheld if you prefer.

 

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