This is really depressing news: the possibility that the Pavlovsk seed bank in Russia, the oldest in the world, is about to be destroyed. The seed bank was started in 1926 by Nikolai Vavilov the originator of the concept of seed banks. Since it is a field collection it cannot be removed to accommodate the proposed real estate plans. Its varied fruit collection would be extremely helpful in protecting fruit production in places threatened by climate change, pests and disease. Earlier, twelve Russian scientists had starved to death rather than eat the plants in their collection to survive. Sadly, it seems likely their honorable sacrifice will go in vain.
Category Archives: Food Security
Russia’s Wheat Crisis
Following a record heat wave, leading to droughts and wildfires, which destroyed one-fifth of the wheat crop this year; the Russian government has announced a ban on wheat exports, reports the Los Angeles Times. With the memories of the food price rise and riots of 2007-08 still fresh , there is concern over the impact on prices of bread, wheat and meat. So far, analysts claim that there is no reason to worry. U.S. farmers have already taken action to support world wheat prices. How the situation ultimately plays out will depend also on the possibility of hoarding by panicky countries and consumers and by speculative activities. The short term price rise may indeed be small but in the long run higher food prices are inevitable as are shortages.
Posted in Food Policy, Food Security
Famine and Fortune
Two recent reports on food security are noteworthy: the first from the World Food Programme in Rwanda celebrates a success story in a country more often associated with crises. Terrace farming has transformed the once eroded and barren hillsides of the Cyungo area. Now, the farmers are able to grow 2 crops, one to sell and one for their sustenance and so achieve food security. In contrast is the sad report of famine in Niger where 12 million people, about 80% of the population face food insecurity. This situation is the result of several factors coming together. Unexpected heavy rainfall has devastated crops, speculation in commodity prices has spiked food prices and people are unable to buy food, finally, aid has eluded many of those who desperately need it including the alarming numbers of undernourished children.
The impact of climate change on agricultural output is likely to become more pronounced, stock markets are always unpredictable, and aid will often wander away from where it was was supposed to go. This story is a familiar one, almost too familiar and might possibly grow more common in the future. It is possible to empower farmers with the appropriate technology ( in small and big ways) to transform the situation as the Rwanda example shows. There are many success stories such as this one, unfortunately they often seem to go unheard.
Posted in Food Security
Obesity and Hunger are Linked
When families are struggling to meet ends meet, they may make less than optimal food choices. Fresh produce is more expensive than a meal deal at a fast food outlet. So while they are fighting to stave off hunger, people may be choosing a diet that leads to obesity. NPR’s series points out that the money the government intends to spend to fight hunger must also take into account the need for a healthy diet. While there is little to debate on that score, (although for some people including lawmakers the link is hard to grasp as the article also points out), it was interesting that the child interviewed in the program is described as “picky”. When the family is facing the prospect of going hungry, picky cannot be part of the equation. The government, food banks, non-profits, charities, other donors can all be mobilized to fight the dual battles of hunger and childhood obesity but “picky”? That, the parents have to fix!
Posted in Food Security, Nutrition
GM Foods Update
After a long hiatus, GM crops are being sown in Europe. In March, it was reported that a GM potato crop, the Amflora crop had been sown in Sweden and now there is news that the EU has decided to let the individual states decide whether or not to grow GM crops. The GM debate is at an interesting point right now. There is a growing recognition that a world faced with the challenge of feeding an ever increasing population needs to consider all the tools at its disposal. Higher temperatures resulting from global climate change are expected to lower crop yields already diminished due to negative environmental changes. The food scarcity of the 1960s and 1970s was met by Mexico, India, China and other countries by a revolution in agriculture brought about by the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and high yielding varieties of crops. A second revolution is needed which will avoid the negative impacts of the first and GM foods present a viable alternative. Every country should frame its policy after careful evaluating the health and environmental concerns, access to GM technology for poor farmers, ethical concerns etc but ignoring GM technology is not a viable position anymore.
Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety, Food Security
Sustainable Seafood
A report just out from Greenpeace ranks Target and Wegman’s as following the best sustainable seafood practices. That is good to know for us consumers but do not forget that we, too, have a role to play in ensuring that all seafood sellers follow good practices. Ask about your store’s policy, read labels and make your voice heard because the stores do care about their image. A case in point is the change in Trader Joe’s policies, follow the links in the article to learn more.
Posted in Food Safety, Food Security
GM crops 101
The Slates’s Green Lantern outlines some concerns that environmentalists have regarding GM crops. To the positives mentioned here, one needs to add the huge productivity increases from growing GM crops which are going to be vital in view of the coming food crisis discussed in the last post. Also, most of these debates do not highlight the possibility of getting better health outcomes from GM crops enhanced with vitamins or nutrients such as Golden Rice enhanced with vitamin A .
Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety, Food Security, Uncategorized
The Crisis in the Food Production System
Jeremy Harding writes in The London Review of Books about the possible crisis in food production and delivery systems as we know them today. He outlines “seven stories” that shape the narrative of the unraveling of the food system. While the discussion pertains mostly to the UK, the questions it raises about what we eat and how it is grown and shared among the six billion people on the planet is one that we are aware of. We can also see the reaction of worried consumers in the growing trend towards “eating local” and vegetable gardens.This article is a great read because it provides all the pieces of the picture in a cohesive way.
But it is going to take a whole host of concerned consumers, producers and governments for us to escape the harshest consequences of the current excesses. What can we do? Support the local farmer’s market, try to grow something yourself (they tell me lettuce is practically indestructible!) and take a moment to reflect on how the asparagus or strawberries or steak or tuna came to arrive on your plate before you bite into it.
Posted in Food Security
The Case of Bt Brinjal in India
News came in this week that India has halted plans for commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal (or eggplant). The debate centers around the familiar issues relating to health and environmental issues and loss of biodiversity. Almost at the same time, though, there are reports of plans to grow GM potatoes in the United Kingdom. China is already growing transgenic cotton with plans for other crops such as rice, maize, soybeans etc. According to World Bank estimates, by 2006 , 8% of the global crop area was already planted with GM seeds.
The case for GM crops is made by emphasising their higher yield, reduced use of pesticides and herbicides and their role in curbing world hunger. World population is expected to reach 9 bn by mid-century and public policy needs to tackle the question of expanding food production to meet the increased demand. The shortfalls are going to be exacerbated by the impact of climate change and widespread famine is possible. GM crops represent an important breakthrough in increasing agricultural productivity yet there is stiff resistance to their adoption. In the future though, this may be the best of producing food in a sustainable way. There is a lot of misinformation about GM or “Frankenfood”. No, so far there is no evidence that adopting the cultivation of GM crops for food or feed will make breed pigs with wings or flying potatoes. Actually, rice enhanced with vitamin A , known as Golden Rice or tomatoes enhanced with lycopene could help boost health outcomes in areas of need.
In fact, such is the commotion over this issue that even the Vatican has taken a stand on it! Watch this blog for more updates.
Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety, Food Security
Play the Game and Help the Hungry
I just found this great website run by the World Food program and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. You get to play a fun game and expand your vocabulary and at the same time donate free rice to feed the hungry. Try it out!
Posted in Food Security
Thought + Food 