1 min
Food sovereignty is a system where those who cultivate, distribute and consume food, have the autonomy to control the processes and policies on the food system.
This includes seeds, species or varieties used, food harvest, local food economies amongst others. It is the right of a country to control her local food system; from production to consumption, rather than being controlled by foreign entities or institutions. This has been one of the key issues of GMO seeds: ownership through patents.
It is important to note that there are barriers (such as irregular rainfall pattern, dry spell (early or late), insecurity, food inflation, adverse ripple effect of global economy amongst others) being confronted by farmers in many developing countries, which have widen the gap, and making nations becoming food insovereign. Thus, food and economic decisions are passed down to these developing countries by international corporations who provide perceived support. However, this relationship gradually destroys the independence of the State, as the interests (mainly profit) of the incorporation supersede the interest of the state and her populace. This needs to change.
Every nation must chart the course of her development using her resources and other support from external sources. However, the power of the external must be limited and within advisory roles. Institutions or corporations' interest should never replace the interest of the populace. That's why we need to consciously regulate external interference to our local food system and our Independence. As a nation, we can grow within our pace and achieve food security. It is our responsibility to make it happen.
In conclusion, anyone who has the power to control the food, has the power to control the assets of any nation. We need to address these barriers that expose us to food non-sovereign by identifying the root cause, and proffer practical solutions. It is important that the government and other key stakeholders solve these head-on and immediately to bridge this gap. Our food is our weapon, our food is our freedom, our food is our asset, when we outsource its processes, mechanisms and policies to external institutions, we become solely dependent on them. We need to rise and take charge of our local food system. Today is the best time to act.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
It is important to note that there are barriers (such as irregular rainfall pattern, dry spell (early or late), insecurity, food inflation, adverse ripple effect of global economy amongst others) being confronted by farmers in many developing countries, which have widen the gap, and making nations becoming food insovereign. Thus, food and economic decisions are passed down to these developing countries by international corporations who provide perceived support. However, this relationship gradually destroys the independence of the State, as the interests (mainly profit) of the incorporation supersede the interest of the state and her populace. This needs to change.
Every nation must chart the course of her development using her resources and other support from external sources. However, the power of the external must be limited and within advisory roles. Institutions or corporations' interest should never replace the interest of the populace. That's why we need to consciously regulate external interference to our local food system and our Independence. As a nation, we can grow within our pace and achieve food security. It is our responsibility to make it happen.
In conclusion, anyone who has the power to control the food, has the power to control the assets of any nation. We need to address these barriers that expose us to food non-sovereign by identifying the root cause, and proffer practical solutions. It is important that the government and other key stakeholders solve these head-on and immediately to bridge this gap. Our food is our weapon, our food is our freedom, our food is our asset, when we outsource its processes, mechanisms and policies to external institutions, we become solely dependent on them. We need to rise and take charge of our local food system. Today is the best time to act.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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