Here is my submission to the HLPE-FSN of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).who are preparing a report on "Building resilient food systems - HLPE-FSN consultation on the scope of the report"
My response to "Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the questions listed". "What gaps are there in the current portfolio of country adaptation / resilience policies?"
FAO African food security country adaptation/ resilience policy experts may want to address the biodiversity and food security policy gaps identified in the following article. “The New Colonialist Food Economy - How Bill Gates and agribusiness giants are throttling small farmers in Africa and the Global South” at https://www.thenation.com/article/world/new-colonialist-food-economy/
We are promoting the use of the Three Sisters Gardening for resilient food systems in Cameroon. Three Sisters Gardening involves planting corn/sunflowers, squash/pumpkin, and bean seeds together in a mound of dirt. The plants work together symbiotically. Beans provide nitrogen for the soil, corn/sunflowers serve as trellises for beans, and squash protects both plants from invasive weeds and pests. The plants work together to make growing a bountiful harvest easier. This is how Native Americans provided food security in the past.
There are two types of Three Sisters Gardening Seed Kits that can be used in Cameroon. One type uses the hybrid field corn, hybrid pole field beans (DOR-701), and hybrid pumpkins or hybrid watermelons that are currently available in Cameroon. The other type of Three Sisters Garden Food Security Seed Kits uses non-hybrid sweet corn, non-hybrid green pole beans, and non-hybrid squash (such as Waltham Butternut or Yellow Crookneck) seeds that are commonly used by gardeners and Native Americans in the USA. Here are some websites that describe how Native Americans used this technique for food security and income:
· The Three Sisters: A Lesson in Sustainable Architecture https://www.transformationholdings.com/agriculture/three-sisters-sustainable-agriculture/
· Growing Native American Heritage: The Three Sisters https://www.farmproject.org/blog/2016/3/31/growing-native-american-heritage-the-three-sisters
· Companion planting is key to food security https://www.renature.co/articles/companion-planting-is-key-to-food-security/
· Native American Gardening https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/home_and_garden/native-american-gardening/article_283dd7de-e8f7-11e8-a239-67504cd77f0a.html
· The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash How to Plant a Three Sisters Garden https://www.almanac.com/content/three-sisters-corn-bean-and-squash
· “Northern Cheyenne nonprofit builds gardens to fight hunger” https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/northern-cheyenne-nonprofit-builds-gardens-to-fight-hunger/article_55bf161d-e5da-5bd3-a3ea-42f53f96311f.html
We can only test the hybrid version of Three Sisters Garden Food Security Seed Kits in Cameroon. We would like Cameroon youth to test both the hybrid and non-hybrid version of Three Sisters Collection. It is possible that Cameroon youth will prefer the hybrid version because it may be more resilient to plant diseases and insect pests. They may prefer the non-hybrid version because the seeds can be saved for use in subsequent years and because they will have a unique cash crop that they may be able to sell for more money.
The selection of crops for each Cameroon Province will be reviewed by the Cameroon government. It is expected that some changes will be made because of the different agriculture growing conditions in each Region.
I can't get the non-hybrid seed supplies I need to help small farmers in Cameroon and most other African countries (except South Africa). Initially I noted that most African countries have a very limited number of seed suppliers and that these seed suppliers sold a very limited number of products. I also was told by the Botswana embassy personnel that they wanted to use only non-GMO seeds.
After a little investigation I determined that African countries sell most of their vegetables in the European market and Europeans wanted to buy only non-GMO products. Botswana embassy personnel noted that it is very difficult to distinguish between a GMO seed product and a non-GMO seed product. Most African countries limit the number of seed companies in their country and limit the import of seeds into their country to ensure that they are selling only non-GMO products.
It also is very difficult and expensive to get an Import Permit to import seeds into an African country even when you are importing seeds that have been declared to be non-GMO by a US grower such as those at Seed Saver Exchange. I must use only the seeds that are available unless I want to spend more than two years to get the proper Import Permit and Phytosanitary certification. I may need to wait a few years to obtain non-GMO, non-hybrid green pole bean seeds or non-GMO, non-hybrid corn seeds with strong stalks if I am lucky. These non-hybrid seeds are very common in other parts of the world including Europe. More information on this problem is available for FAO food security experts in the following article. “The New Colonialist Food Economy - How Bill Gates and agribusiness giants are throttling small farmers in Africa and the Global South” at https://www.thenation.com/article/world/new-colonialist-food-economy/
More information on how strict import requirements are inhibiting emerging technologies and innovations in Africa agrifood systems are described here
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14735903.2023.2210005 and https://www.thenation.com/article/world/new-colonialist-food-economy/
The FAO the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) needs to review the seed policies that they have recommended to African countries. The following new projects can change this situation in Cameroon:
· Cameroon, FAO sign $2.7mln deal to support smallholder farmers https://www.businessincameroon.com/agriculture/2304-13775-cameroon-fao-sign-2-7mln-deal-to-support-smallholder-farmers
· OCP Africa renews commitment to Cameroon’s agricultural sector https://www.businessincameroon.com/agriculture/2702-13647-ocp-africa-renews-commitment-to-cameroon-s-agricultural-sector
· Cameroon invests CFA10.5bn to boost rural food security https://www.businessincameroon.com/agriculture/1812-13570-cameroon-invests-cfa10-5bn-to-boost-rural-food-security
· Cameroon govt sets CFA22bn+ food security fund for 2024 https://www.businessincameroon.com/public-management/1001-13587-cameroon-govt-sets-cfa22bn-food-security-fund-for-202
· Ngoulemakong inaugurates first of eight cassava processing plants in 2024 initiative https://www.businessincameroon.com/agriculture/1801-13600-ngoulemakong-inaugurates-first-of-eight-cassava-processing-plants-in-2024-initiative
The files that I attached show how we are using the small farm concepts developed by Dr Booker T Whatley in Cameroon
- Use of the Whatley Small Farm Plan Concepts in Cameroon
- Breadfruit Trees as a Cash Crop In Cameroon
- Cassava as a Cash Crop in Cameroon
- Providing Cameroon Youth with a Premium Food Security Educational Opportunity
The concepts that we are using in Cameroon can be applied to the situation in Gaza. We are suggesting that Cameroon use the Asian Approach to Economic Development that was used successfully by Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China and at least five other countries in Asia. The first (of three) steps in the Asian Approach to Economic Development plan is to improve the livelihood of small farmers in Gaza so that the farmers will have food security and the ability to make a living. The Israel government and Gaza leadership will use the small farm concepts developed by Dr. Booker T Whatley. Dr. Whatley's small farm concepts were used to lift many small farmers in the southern parts of the US out of poverty. It was particularly successful for black farmers who had small farms. Israel should expect many international government agencies and NGOs will support a Gaza Peace Plan by providing the agriculture equipment and supplies that will ensure that the Gaza farmers will be successful in their food security efforts. See https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/small-farm-plan-zmaz82mjzkin/ and https://www.gatesnotes.com/How-Asia-Works
Д-р. Paul Rigterink