2 Responses to “Can Biotech Food Cure World Hunger?”

1. William Hayes says:

   November 2, 2009 at 5:21 pm

   Well, you are right: those six opinions from the NY Times are of interest. Does USC have an answer to the question, Can Biotech Food Cure World Hunger? If so, what is it?

   I have just received information in the mail about your Seeds of Survival project. I am try8ing to decide whether and how to support your project. Can you tell me how your project is connected to your answer to the question about Biotech Food?
2. USC Canada says:

   November 4, 2009 at 11:31 am

   Thank you for your response and questions. Given the evidence, we firmly believe that our Seeds of Survival program provides distinct advantages over current biotech approaches. SoS promotes long-term solutions and supports local farmer knowledge and agricultural methods that safeguard ecosystems and preserve biodiversity – which is at the heart of resilient, healthy food systems.

   Several decades ago, the West began deploying its agricultural methods in an effort to turn back hunger in the poorest parts of the planet. While there were some early successes, today the world’s hunger problem is worse than ever; 1 billion people don’t have enough nutritious food to eat.

   Last year the UN released an in-depth, ground-breaking report by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), entitled “Agriculture at a Crossroads.” It concluded we need a different approach: people in the most vulnerable parts of the planet require resources that support local food production while keeping their ecosystems healthy and fertile – so they can build their capacity to feed themselves.

   USC Canada fully supports this approach: it is entirely in keeping with our award-winning Seeds of Survival program, begun in Ethiopia 20 years ago, and which has met with many successes. We promote seed saving and community seed banking and provide opportunities for knowledge-sharing, as well as farmer-scientist collaborations and farmer-led research.

   Our work starts with farmers, and their intimate knowledge about native seeds, soils, and local environments. SoS programs help farmers save and build on the diversity of local seed varieties, which are highly adapted to local conditions and respond well to climate change impacts. These farmer-varieties are freely shared and exchanged among communities. I’d like to invite you to watch our short video, Banking Diversity, on our website, which you can get to by clicking here.

   Best regards,
   Sheila Petzold
   Communications Specialist