全球粮食安全与营养论坛 (FSN论坛)

Themba Phiri

self
South Africa

Generally forests have played a pivotal role in food and nutrition security, in that the poor and the very poor have benefitted immensely from the collection of wild fruits and vegetables and also have taped into apiculture as well as a source of livehood, however forests have a multifaceted benefit if you look at from a food and security angle. Globally the collection of fruit, vegetable, game hunting, apiculture, has kept the poor afloat with regards to their nutrition well being, whilst at the same time maintaining the environment. A good example is of farmers maintaining the trees that bees use as hives and anthills which give them a high plain of nutrition. Forests on the other hand are linked to livestock production, proper land use plans are a result of correct stocking rates and carrying capacity which results in high livestock off-take rates. The more the animals means an improvement in the plain of nutrition for the household. Some forests prvide wetlands were organic rice and fish farming can be carried out whilist restoring biodiversity.

On the other hand climate change has had some serious threats to forestry and biodiversity, in that some plant vegetable matter has gone into extinction due to unpredictable droughts and floods. This has compelled most climate change specialists to design climate smart agriculture and go into climate smart landscaping so as to presrve the forests, which will in turn savour the poor from going hungry.

A good point is that most traditional leaders have now been involved in the management of forests, through goon land use planning practices, however this still has to be addressed through the farmer first approach so that farmers and poor commuties should also have a say in deciding the role of forests. The ITK indigenous technical methods of farmers should be tapped through having focused group discussions, key informant interviews, so that we extrapolate data, about how forests benefit the larger populace. Women play a pivotal role in the management of forests and food and nutrition agendas, because there are the ones who know areas where edible forests plant matter can be found, so it is about respecting womens roles, that we can expand the forests benefits in securing food and nutrition security and better livelihoods.

Also there is a need for scientists/experts to start respecting the indigenous values of our communities so that there is technological exchange of information between indigenous communities and scientists, lets avoid is senario of experts talking to communties but lets speak with them because they ahve a lot of knowledge.

Also people living in forest areas should be taught on forest conservation measures, through mapping of potential IGAS, biodiveristy mapping and also looking at climate smart technologies and sharing this with them. Data should be collected through various basket of tools on how these communities survive and the need for these people to continue living the way they are now, this will all about restoring livelihoods.