Farmers Archive
Mali Turmoil Affects USC Programming
We’re continuing to look into how we might sustain operations in Douentza, Mali in the wake of both a military coup in the Capital, Bamako, and a Touareg separatist group offensive in the north of the country. We’re hopeful the political situation will be sorted in the coming weeks, but the situation in the North is complex and a quick resolution seems less likely. Read More about the impact on our work with farmers…
Spotlight on Burkina Faso
With support from our partner APN Sahel – in land rehabilitation, community seed banking, and market gardening – many families in Burkina Faso have actually been able to boost food production. But as you’ll see from these photos taken late in 2011, there are still vulnerabilities. Insufficient and erratic rainfall, poor harvests, and overpriced food are creating a severe food crisis that will last for at least a few months, if not longer. Read More…
Why Do Small-holder Farmers Matter?
…Because even though they’re among the world’s poorest farmers, they are the guardians of genetic diversity. USC Canada’s Seeds of Survival co-founder, Dr. Melaku Worede, has once again clearly articulated the critical role of small farmers. Check out his interview in the most recent issue of D+C, the well-respected German journal on development and cooperation. Read More…
Burkina Faso Food Crisis Funding
Insufficient and erratic rainfall, poor harvests, and overpriced food are combining to create a severe food crisis in Burkina Faso that will last for at least a few months, if not longer. A new $25K grant from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) will go a long way towards helping the farmers that USC Canada is supporting in the country’s north. Read More…
More Proof!
A newly released 30-year comparison of organic and conventional growing methods, carried out by the highly respected Rodale Institute, indicates huge ecological benefits to organic agriculture. It goes a long way to disproving the oft-repeated mantra, “organic agriculture can’t feed the world.” Read More…