The African Centre for Biodiversity recently examined South Africa’s smallholder support programs. These funds are supposed to serve 300,000 smallholder farmers in the country and enhance their ability to feed themselves and their communities. Their report,“Input supply in South Africa’s smallholder farmer support programmes: A tale of neo-apartheid plans, dodgy dealings and corporate … Continue reading “Corporate profit from South Africa’s smallholder farmers support programs”
Author Archive: Editor
Article Series on South Africa-US Agroecology Exchange
Welcome to our homepage for the International Agroecology Exchange – Reflections from the US Delegation to South Africa 2017 South Africa-US Agroecology Exchange In October 2017, seven delegates from the US representing farmworker and African-American farmer organizations participated in the second South Africa-US Agroecology Exchange. For 10 days, the delegates visited the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, … Continue reading “Article Series on South Africa-US Agroecology Exchange”
Corporate supply chains and hunger in Zambia
Last month, the African Centre for Biodiversity published a study “Green Innovation Centre in Zambia: Fighting Hunger through Corporate Supply Chains?” in collaboration with Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. The study takes a look at the Green Innovation Center and its advancement of the Green Revolution. The One World No Hunger (OWNH) program is a … Continue reading “Corporate supply chains and hunger in Zambia”
Farming with Influence: South Africa Agroecology Exchange Article Series
By Shalon Jones, Mississippi Association of Cooperatives Sixth in the South Africa-US Agroecology Exchange Article Series In October 2017, I was offered the opportunity to participate in a US-South Africa Agroecology Exchange, representing the Mississippi Association of Southern Cooperatives alongside Mr. Ben Burkett. With much excitement and anticipation, many thoughts ran across my mind. Although this … Continue reading “Farming with Influence: South Africa Agroecology Exchange Article Series”
Support an end to the World Bank’s “Enabling the Business of Agriculture”
“The revelations that led to this week’s resignation of World Bank Chief Economist Paul Romer point to flawed methodology and political manipulation in the World Bank’s Doing Business report. Romer admitted that the Doing Business rankings may have been manipulated to make Chile’s economic environment look worse under the sitting socialist president Michelle Bachelet. These … Continue reading “Support an end to the World Bank’s “Enabling the Business of Agriculture””
Art and Activism at the National Seed Dialogue and Celebration
A new blog, published by Claire Rousell with the African Centre for Biodiversity reflects on the role of art in activism. During the National Seed Dialogue and Celebration, hosted by ACB at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg in December 2017, performers shared their stories of farming and food sovereignty through dance and music. The reflections … Continue reading “Art and Activism at the National Seed Dialogue and Celebration”
Status report from the African Centre for Biodiversity asesses impact of harmonized seed regulations on small farmers
A new status report, researched and written by Linzi Lewis and Sabrina Masinjila of the African Centre for Biodiversity, reviews the seed harmonization efforts of the South African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC). Seed harmonization efforts focus on the regulation of seed laws … Continue reading “Status report from the African Centre for Biodiversity asesses impact of harmonized seed regulations on small farmers”
Will climate-smart agriculture (CSA) actually improve our climate? A new policy brief from Food First
International institutions like the World Bank, Food, and Agriculture Organization(FAO) are increasingly turning to the guidelines of “climate-smart agriculture” to shape their policies. But what does climate-smart agriculture (CSA) actually entail? A new policy brief by Marcus Taylor from Food First outlines the three main components of CSA which include: increasing productivity, strengthening resilience, … Continue reading “Will climate-smart agriculture (CSA) actually improve our climate? A new policy brief from Food First”
New video from the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme
In 2014, 7 NGO’s and farmer organizations came together to form the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP). ZSSP raises awareness around seed-related laws that undermine food sovereignty while strengthening seed production and conservation practices across Zimbabwe. By facilitating seed fairs, it allows farmers to exchange seeds, learn about different local varieties, and have control over … Continue reading “New video from the Zimbabwe Seed Soveriegnty Programme”
Revisiting the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa’s comprehensive report on Agroecology
Last year, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) published a full 88-page report on agroecology. The report provides a clear definition of agroecology and its effective application in various contexts across Africa. It features 15 case studies from farmers in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Togo, and Tanzania. Each provides … Continue reading “Revisiting the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa’s comprehensive report on Agroecology”
