AGRA Watch

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AGRA Watch is a grassroots, Seattle-based group challenging the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s questionable agricultural programs in Africa, including its Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The Gates Foundation and AGRA claim to be “pro-poor” and “pro-environment,” but their approach is closely aligned with transnational corporations, such as Monsanto, and foreign policy actors like USAID. They take advantage of food and global climate crises to promote high-tech, market-based, industrial agriculture and generate profits for corporations even while degrading the environment and disempowering farmers. Their programs are a form of philanthrocapitalism based on biopiracy.

 

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WATCH FULL FILM SERIES! Rich Appetites: How Big Philanthropy is Shaping the Future of Food in Africa

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At a time when global hunger is on the rise and the pandemic has dramatically impacted global food systems, corporations are gaining even more control over agriculture than ever. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the largest private charitable foundation in the world, is leading the way in pushing global agricultural development priorities toward industrial and chemical-intensive models–including in Africa, through their investments in the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

This video series, developed by AGRA Watch and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, explains why exporting the US agribusiness model to Africa is a grave mistake.

Thank you to our partners who have made Rich Appetites such a success so far! Over the last year, we’ve released all five episodes of this short film series and educated thousands of people on the need to transition away from philanthrocapitalism in agriculture and toward food sovereignty. From the harms of industrial agriculture, to the science behind today’s agriculture systems, to the benefits of agroecology, the complete series offers audiences a comprehensive education on the impact of big philanthropy on our food systems.

With the full series now complete, today we are excited to share the series trailer. This short snapshot (2 min) of Rich Appetites provides a crash-course on this issue and what’s at stake so they can become engaged and learn more.

Watch the Rich Appetites series trailer here!

We need your help! Please help us continue to amplify the film’s reach by sharing the trailer on your social media accounts and among your network to ensure audiences are connected to this important topic.

Alongside any posts, please include:

  • The hashtags #RichAppetites and, if room, #FoodSystems4People
  • Tags for @AGRAWatch on Twitter and Facebook, and @cagjseattle, and @AFSAfrica on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
  • A link to the trailer: https://vimeo.com/780927789

Sample messages:

  1. With global hunger on the rise and global food systems devastated by COVID, corporations & moneyed interests have more control over agriculture than ever. Watch #RichAppetites to learn why we need #FoodSystems4People @AGRAWatch @cagjseattle @AFSAfrica https://vimeo.com/780927789
  2. Watch #RichAppetites to see how American billionaires are supporting the corporate takeover of African food systems & exacerbating climate change. It’s time to listen to African farmers & support #agroecology @AGRAWatch @cagjseattle @AFSAfrica https://vimeo.com/780927789

With the full series now complete, we invite you to see the full series of short films, and learn more, on the Rich Appetites website richappetitesfilm.com, and on Vimeo.