Food Sovereignty: Erpan Faryadi (AGRA Indonesia and the Asian Peasants Coalition)
Food sovereignty is at the heart of the work of PAN AP and its partner organizations, and represents local struggles for land, genuine agrarian reform and the people’s right to make decisions surrounding food production, consumption, trade and the environment. The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) is an Asia-wide coalition of at least 20 million farmers, landless peasants, fisherfolks, agricultural workers, dalit, indigenous people, herders, pastoralists, women and youth representing 21 organizations from 8 countries. Their work towards genuine food sovereignty is one of local, national and international urgency, especially in the context of climate change and the food crisis.
Rice shortages are occurring across Asia, reportedly the worst in the last three decades, and in many places the price of food is skyrocketing, placing the most vulnerable in situations of food insecurity. Added to this are issues such as deforestation, neoliberal imperialist policies, hunger, landlessness and vulnerability of the people. The APC strongly believes that implementation of genuine agrarian reform is the ultimate solution to the food crisis. Governments should also control food prices, stop importation, give full support to rice productivity program and withdraw its membership to WTO.
Erpan Faryadi's presentation was followed by a presentation by Dr Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita on Gender Justice in Agriculture, which highlighted the special role of women in food production.
There was also a presentation on Climate Justice by Don Marut.
Following the presentations was a panel discussion 'Sharing Grassroots Experiences and Best Practices' in which Dr Charito Medina of MASIPAG, Vijay Jardhari of BBA and Sun Jing of PEAC shared their rich experience from many years of work. Participants were able to ask questions and make comments, showing the diversity and depth of knowledge present among the conference's participants.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Workshop Sessions - Day 1
Sunday’s afternoon sessions featured six interactive and lively workshop groups: Peasants/Livestock Keepers, Indigenous Peoples, Agricultural Workers, Women, Fisherfolks and Consumers. Each group took advantage of the experience of its participants, sharing the challenges and opportunities of the different countries represented.
Workshop 1 – Women
The Women’s Workshop had 15 participants representing 6 countries (including one male). It featured two presentations, one from the Philippines and another from Uttarakhand, India. The situation of climate change, its situation, impacts and effects were discussed, including experiences of different countries. In Sri Lanka, for example, the tsunami left women and children the most vulnerable and marginalized. Several responses were suggested, including policy reform, changes to public distribution systems, access to land for women, and specific crises and situations of countries. Women have been impacted in a number of ways, including decreased biodiversity, good security, lack of education and information, and displacement.
Workshop 2 – Peasants and Livestock Keepers
The Peasants and Livestock Keepers Workshop included participants from 5 countries. The group identified problems that have resulted from climate change, such as erratic monsoons, exploitation of water resources, increased pest attacks, decrease in traditional crop varieties, and the poor responses of institutions. In order to come up with an effective people’s response, the group had several ideas including the revival of traditional seed varieties, increased networking between people’s organizations and communities, transparency in government policies and promotion of biodiversity-based ecological agriculture (BEA).
Workshop 3 – Indigenous People
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORKSHOP
I. Impact of Food Crisis and Climate Change
• Farmers suffer a lot from unpredictable weather unlike 30 years ago when they can confidently plan for planting and harvesting season. There is a tendency of having no food for next season as a consequence.
• Indigenous people are veering away from agriculture as they are moving towards cash economy and they are face poverty. They do not have money to plant crops which requires a lot of capital (farm) input.
• They themselves become destroyers of nature as what is being done by people in corporate agriculture.
• People are becoming individualistis because of this kind of economy (where they seek easy cash), they are not united anymore. Thus they cannot easily solve their problems, they become weak in spirit.
• People are leaving agriculture especially the educated (younger) generation. They do not appreciate the value of agriculture since planting requires a lot of money and farmers are always in debt.
II. Recommendations from participants
• Struggle in order to have control on land and agricultural practice
• Bring back the land to the people
• Revive the indigenous way of life. This is a sustainable way where traditional knowledge and practice are applied.
• Knowledge on ecologically sound practices should be pushed and popularized
• Promote organic farming, it is not a fast process but there is a gurantee for success based on experiences from various countries
• Document community maps of IP's lands. We should intensify work on this but this information should stay in the community since they are the owners and nobody else.
Workshop 4 – Agricultural Workers
19 people from Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and Europe attended the workshop. Specific needs of agricultural workers were identified, as well as the differences between countries. Major issues were the conversion of food land to cash crop/monoculture agriculture, pesticide and water intensive agriculture, land conversion, the loss of power among farmers to control crops and lands, and the tendency of farmers to become contract farmers as land prices increase and farms are bought by large agribusinesses. The group came up with demands to be brought forth at the World Food Summit, and these included demanding the government devote resources to research and the impact of climate change, increased income sources for farmers, promotion of BEA and decrease of greenhouse gas emissions. They also called on NGOs and people’s organizations to document and collect evidence on traditional farming methods and knowledge, as well as to help provide links between consumers and agricultural workers.
Workshop 5 – Consumers
16 people from 9 countries attended the workshop on Consumers. The discussion focused on current research on consumer behaviour around the world. One study mentioned the concern of consumers in India, Brazil, China and Mexico; consumers in these countries were among the most concerned in the world, and most willing to pay more for eco-products. A number of suggestions emerged, including the need to link consumers and farmers through schemes such as Community Supported Agriculture, labeling, and people to people partnerships. It was also mentioned that policy changes and emphasis on educating students, institutions and new markets could be effective mechanisms for change.
Workshop 6 – Fisherfolk
The Fisherfolk group engaged in lively discussion on the current situation of fishing communities in South East Asia. There was an agreement that government inaction, decreased resources, and impacts of development projects are negatively impacting small fisherfolk. One issue identified was the difficulty in organizing communities, leading to challenges in changing government policy and effecting institutional change. With the increase in aquaculture, there has been increased marginalization of small fisherfolk and an increase in pest attacks and disease outbreaks. The subsequent discussion on alternatives included suggestions such as the formation of self-help groups, increased literacy among fishing communities, community management of resources, voter education and genuine fish
Workshop 1 – Women
The Women’s Workshop had 15 participants representing 6 countries (including one male). It featured two presentations, one from the Philippines and another from Uttarakhand, India. The situation of climate change, its situation, impacts and effects were discussed, including experiences of different countries. In Sri Lanka, for example, the tsunami left women and children the most vulnerable and marginalized. Several responses were suggested, including policy reform, changes to public distribution systems, access to land for women, and specific crises and situations of countries. Women have been impacted in a number of ways, including decreased biodiversity, good security, lack of education and information, and displacement.
Workshop 2 – Peasants and Livestock Keepers
The Peasants and Livestock Keepers Workshop included participants from 5 countries. The group identified problems that have resulted from climate change, such as erratic monsoons, exploitation of water resources, increased pest attacks, decrease in traditional crop varieties, and the poor responses of institutions. In order to come up with an effective people’s response, the group had several ideas including the revival of traditional seed varieties, increased networking between people’s organizations and communities, transparency in government policies and promotion of biodiversity-based ecological agriculture (BEA).
Workshop 3 – Indigenous People
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORKSHOP
I. Impact of Food Crisis and Climate Change
• Farmers suffer a lot from unpredictable weather unlike 30 years ago when they can confidently plan for planting and harvesting season. There is a tendency of having no food for next season as a consequence.
• Indigenous people are veering away from agriculture as they are moving towards cash economy and they are face poverty. They do not have money to plant crops which requires a lot of capital (farm) input.
• They themselves become destroyers of nature as what is being done by people in corporate agriculture.
• People are becoming individualistis because of this kind of economy (where they seek easy cash), they are not united anymore. Thus they cannot easily solve their problems, they become weak in spirit.
• People are leaving agriculture especially the educated (younger) generation. They do not appreciate the value of agriculture since planting requires a lot of money and farmers are always in debt.
II. Recommendations from participants
• Struggle in order to have control on land and agricultural practice
• Bring back the land to the people
• Revive the indigenous way of life. This is a sustainable way where traditional knowledge and practice are applied.
• Knowledge on ecologically sound practices should be pushed and popularized
• Promote organic farming, it is not a fast process but there is a gurantee for success based on experiences from various countries
• Document community maps of IP's lands. We should intensify work on this but this information should stay in the community since they are the owners and nobody else.
Workshop 4 – Agricultural Workers
19 people from Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and Europe attended the workshop. Specific needs of agricultural workers were identified, as well as the differences between countries. Major issues were the conversion of food land to cash crop/monoculture agriculture, pesticide and water intensive agriculture, land conversion, the loss of power among farmers to control crops and lands, and the tendency of farmers to become contract farmers as land prices increase and farms are bought by large agribusinesses. The group came up with demands to be brought forth at the World Food Summit, and these included demanding the government devote resources to research and the impact of climate change, increased income sources for farmers, promotion of BEA and decrease of greenhouse gas emissions. They also called on NGOs and people’s organizations to document and collect evidence on traditional farming methods and knowledge, as well as to help provide links between consumers and agricultural workers.
Workshop 5 – Consumers
16 people from 9 countries attended the workshop on Consumers. The discussion focused on current research on consumer behaviour around the world. One study mentioned the concern of consumers in India, Brazil, China and Mexico; consumers in these countries were among the most concerned in the world, and most willing to pay more for eco-products. A number of suggestions emerged, including the need to link consumers and farmers through schemes such as Community Supported Agriculture, labeling, and people to people partnerships. It was also mentioned that policy changes and emphasis on educating students, institutions and new markets could be effective mechanisms for change.
Workshop 6 – Fisherfolk
The Fisherfolk group engaged in lively discussion on the current situation of fishing communities in South East Asia. There was an agreement that government inaction, decreased resources, and impacts of development projects are negatively impacting small fisherfolk. One issue identified was the difficulty in organizing communities, leading to challenges in changing government policy and effecting institutional change. With the increase in aquaculture, there has been increased marginalization of small fisherfolk and an increase in pest attacks and disease outbreaks. The subsequent discussion on alternatives included suggestions such as the formation of self-help groups, increased literacy among fishing communities, community management of resources, voter education and genuine fish
YORA Celebration of Biodiversity Evening
The Save Our Rice Campaign organised and hosted the People’s Year of Rice Action (YORA) Celebration of Biodiversity Evening consisting of an exhibition and bazaar along with the YORA Hall of Biodiversity and Rice for Life Dinner. The event also featured special rituals and a seed exchange between sub-regions in Asia.
The celebration started with a welcoming speech by Mr. Jayankumar from THANAL, India and a rice blessing by an indigenous elder to celebrate the role of rice and biodiversity in our lives and affirm our solidarity in bringing about social transformation.
The YORA Hall of Biodiversity featured the YORA events in various countries through photographs and showcased rice and other traditional local biodiversity-based products of Asia through the exhibit. The following organisations proudly displayed their publications and products: Barcik; Beej Bacaho Andolan; Consumers Korea; Ibon Foundation; Living Farms; PACOS; PAN Philippines; RRAFA, Esan Live Styes Association and Organic Agriculture Centre; SADIA; SAEDA; Sawit Watch; SEVA; SRD; SRED; THANAL and; Vikalpani. Participants were also given special Rice Gifts.
The celebration started with a welcoming speech by Mr. Jayankumar from THANAL, India and a rice blessing by an indigenous elder to celebrate the role of rice and biodiversity in our lives and affirm our solidarity in bringing about social transformation.
The YORA Hall of Biodiversity featured the YORA events in various countries through photographs and showcased rice and other traditional local biodiversity-based products of Asia through the exhibit. The following organisations proudly displayed their publications and products: Barcik; Beej Bacaho Andolan; Consumers Korea; Ibon Foundation; Living Farms; PACOS; PAN Philippines; RRAFA, Esan Live Styes Association and Organic Agriculture Centre; SADIA; SAEDA; Sawit Watch; SEVA; SRD; SRED; THANAL and; Vikalpani. Participants were also given special Rice Gifts.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Understanding the Threats and Challenges of the Food Crisis and Climate Change
Climate Change and its Impact on Food and Agriculture by Lim Li Ching of Third World Network, Malaysia
We know that climate change is very real and that we are feeling the impacts around the world. Even very small changes have very catastrophic effects on sea level, weather events, and food and agriculture production. It is a completely unjust situation. The US is the biggest polluter and emits about 30 per cent. Climate refugees are going to be a huge problem, mainly in Asia. Also, it is important to remember that IPCC estimates are conservative estimates because these are consensus documents. Latest estimates of FAO is 900 million people being pushed into poverty.
Model of industrial agriculture dominates and has contributed to climate change itself. Can we really rethink agriculture? Can we achieve a paradigm shift? Sarath Fernando earlier pointed this out in his keynote address on small farmers in Sri Lanka. Business as usual is no longer an option; we need to radically overhaul agriculture. The future of agriculture lies in biodiverse, ecologically-based agriculture. We can not rely on industrial agriculture, especially in the context of the economic crisis, food crisis and climate change. The voice of small farmers needs to be heard. The IAASTD report substantiates this. Ecological agriculture rooted in farmers’ knowledge can respond well to changes in climate.
Developing countries need a fair deal at global conferences such as COP 15. The Campaign ‘repay the climate debt’ calling on developed countries to repay developing countries is now an ongoing signature campaign.
Responsible and Ethical Consumption by Dr. Vokyung Song of Consumers Korea
We work with concern for others and take into account the interests of others. We work through linkages between ourselves and with others, and through communication. If we created the problems, how can we create the solutions? Who will support the solutions and create a support system? My suggestion is to link with others and multiply this effect.
Ethical means what is wrong and what is right? Responsible behaviour means taking into account the interests of others. We can achieve this through positive buying and negative purchasing.
Food Crisis, Globalisation and Financial Crisis by Antonio Tujan Jr. of Asia Pacific Research Network, Philippines
The past 5 years have given multiple crises – subprime, bailouts, endangerment of ‘real’ economy. Recession can no longer be simply called a recession, but intensification of cyclical forms of recession. Other forms of crisis showed the complexity: energy crisis; limited fossil fuel production; but also speculation; war; manipulation of futures markets; search for new markets; price spikes and; finance of new speculative investment in exploration and extraction - new oil found, searching for more expensive oil, exploration, exploitation.
Food crisis followed and is similar. It is an artificial shortage with new liberal reforms adversely affecting the countries of third world and impacting the global market. Increased sensitivity; speculation and; agrofuels taken together are fundamentally linked to imperialist globalisation. Globalisation is about crisis, and it produces more crises. Overproduction necessitates neoliberalisation, fake markets of finance, using technology of past decades to expand production and reduce costs, transportation, new markets, distortion of markets for energy and for food products. Cyclical markets and prices are just new forms of capitalist crisis. This financial crash is the extension of the crisis we have seen since the 1990s. The impact and result of neoliberalism is the loss of food self sufficiency and security, and food sovereignty. Restructuring of agriculture increases the role of agri-business, that are anti-nature and that control the supply chain with market-domination over production.
The upcoming food summit in Rome is meant to address this topic. Sadly, the conflict is the fight between the status quo (led by the FAO) and balancing of interests against a new offensive, an aggressive push by TNCs to resurrect the green revolution in Africa. This is being pushed and we need to respond with alternatives. The Gates Foundation, OECD funders and AGRA will win in their effort to corporatise agriculture in Africa if we do not push back with alternatives.
The food summit in Rome will be an important struggle to push forward food sovereignty. Add to this, climate change. Is it just a fact of life? Yes, but it is not just. We need to understand the issue beyond injustice and see the fundamental roots of climate change. Not simply capitalism, but in monopoly capitalism. This was pushed to excess and to unsustainable proportions because of capitalist accumulation and greed. Exhaustion of raw materials, colonialism, producing more than what is needed in order to maximize profits are also in place. This is the ecological aspect of imperialism. This is the root of climate injustice. We are beyond the industrial revolution and have gone to the molecular level. The question of creating synthetic replacements of nature is happening now.
Climate change is a wake up call against capitalism and imperialism. It is not just about adaptation or mitigation. What we need is a lifestyle and economy change. A people’s protocol is needed that calls for a social revolution against the imbalance in society.
We know that climate change is very real and that we are feeling the impacts around the world. Even very small changes have very catastrophic effects on sea level, weather events, and food and agriculture production. It is a completely unjust situation. The US is the biggest polluter and emits about 30 per cent. Climate refugees are going to be a huge problem, mainly in Asia. Also, it is important to remember that IPCC estimates are conservative estimates because these are consensus documents. Latest estimates of FAO is 900 million people being pushed into poverty.
Model of industrial agriculture dominates and has contributed to climate change itself. Can we really rethink agriculture? Can we achieve a paradigm shift? Sarath Fernando earlier pointed this out in his keynote address on small farmers in Sri Lanka. Business as usual is no longer an option; we need to radically overhaul agriculture. The future of agriculture lies in biodiverse, ecologically-based agriculture. We can not rely on industrial agriculture, especially in the context of the economic crisis, food crisis and climate change. The voice of small farmers needs to be heard. The IAASTD report substantiates this. Ecological agriculture rooted in farmers’ knowledge can respond well to changes in climate.
Developing countries need a fair deal at global conferences such as COP 15. The Campaign ‘repay the climate debt’ calling on developed countries to repay developing countries is now an ongoing signature campaign.
Responsible and Ethical Consumption by Dr. Vokyung Song of Consumers Korea
We work with concern for others and take into account the interests of others. We work through linkages between ourselves and with others, and through communication. If we created the problems, how can we create the solutions? Who will support the solutions and create a support system? My suggestion is to link with others and multiply this effect.
Ethical means what is wrong and what is right? Responsible behaviour means taking into account the interests of others. We can achieve this through positive buying and negative purchasing.
Food Crisis, Globalisation and Financial Crisis by Antonio Tujan Jr. of Asia Pacific Research Network, Philippines
The past 5 years have given multiple crises – subprime, bailouts, endangerment of ‘real’ economy. Recession can no longer be simply called a recession, but intensification of cyclical forms of recession. Other forms of crisis showed the complexity: energy crisis; limited fossil fuel production; but also speculation; war; manipulation of futures markets; search for new markets; price spikes and; finance of new speculative investment in exploration and extraction - new oil found, searching for more expensive oil, exploration, exploitation.
Food crisis followed and is similar. It is an artificial shortage with new liberal reforms adversely affecting the countries of third world and impacting the global market. Increased sensitivity; speculation and; agrofuels taken together are fundamentally linked to imperialist globalisation. Globalisation is about crisis, and it produces more crises. Overproduction necessitates neoliberalisation, fake markets of finance, using technology of past decades to expand production and reduce costs, transportation, new markets, distortion of markets for energy and for food products. Cyclical markets and prices are just new forms of capitalist crisis. This financial crash is the extension of the crisis we have seen since the 1990s. The impact and result of neoliberalism is the loss of food self sufficiency and security, and food sovereignty. Restructuring of agriculture increases the role of agri-business, that are anti-nature and that control the supply chain with market-domination over production.
The upcoming food summit in Rome is meant to address this topic. Sadly, the conflict is the fight between the status quo (led by the FAO) and balancing of interests against a new offensive, an aggressive push by TNCs to resurrect the green revolution in Africa. This is being pushed and we need to respond with alternatives. The Gates Foundation, OECD funders and AGRA will win in their effort to corporatise agriculture in Africa if we do not push back with alternatives.
The food summit in Rome will be an important struggle to push forward food sovereignty. Add to this, climate change. Is it just a fact of life? Yes, but it is not just. We need to understand the issue beyond injustice and see the fundamental roots of climate change. Not simply capitalism, but in monopoly capitalism. This was pushed to excess and to unsustainable proportions because of capitalist accumulation and greed. Exhaustion of raw materials, colonialism, producing more than what is needed in order to maximize profits are also in place. This is the ecological aspect of imperialism. This is the root of climate injustice. We are beyond the industrial revolution and have gone to the molecular level. The question of creating synthetic replacements of nature is happening now.
Climate change is a wake up call against capitalism and imperialism. It is not just about adaptation or mitigation. What we need is a lifestyle and economy change. A people’s protocol is needed that calls for a social revolution against the imbalance in society.
Conference Keynote Address
Facilitator: Kamla Bhasin
Keynote Address: Sarath Fernando of Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), Sri Lanka
Sarath Fernando said that this is an important conference and a crucial moment in our history. He talked about the experiences of peasants, agricultural workers and livestock keepers. He went on to say that we are now experiencing "climate destruction" and not just "climate change" and referred to the recent disaster that hit the Philippines.
Fernando, however said that instead of going through all the tragic and unfortunate things are are happening to the world and, the excluded and discarded people of his society, we should focus on the positive aspects of all these. He enjoined everyone in creating a positive agenda for the rest of the world and that it is time that we should seriously question some of the concepts that we have been adopting, terms of development, growth, exploitation, and the end of nature. He also warned that actually, we are no longer developing but instead, we are moving towards a dangerous side of destruction and survival.
Fernando then shared what is being done by the small farmers, which should enlighten the whole world. MONLAR emerged out of about 15 years of work with farmers. He said that the work that needed to be advanced is the Peasant Information Network. He also spoke about the civil wars in Sri Lanka and how this gave rise to MONLAR. He said that even if there are a lot of things to complain about, things are beginning to change and there are things that bring a lot of hope to the people.
He also said that PAN AP has given birth to a process that should lead the way for the rest of the world. Fernando said, "We need a world without poisons, where we are not compelled to eat and drink poisons. We need food production that does not poison our water, food and environment. Now, the task is to protect, conserve and sustain a system that is basically unsustainable. We need to create a new system of recovery."
In Sri Lanka, inspite of 50-60 years of unsustainable agriculture, he said that there are food that can be gathered from their neighbours and that this gave way to another process in which people planted food in plots of land so that food could be made available. Even without money for fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, people and communities found ways of doing agriculture without chemical inputs.
Fernando said that the type of agriculture that is free of external inputs is fast becoming a movement, a definite trend, and is growing in Asia. This is what we now refer to as ecological agriculture. He explained that we need a process to restore nature’s ability to regenerate itself. He said that birth, growth, decay and then, regrowth has to be a guiding principle of our survival and that it is imperative that we restore this, otherwise life will not survive. The experience of small people, who are compelled to survive without money, has shown us the way to produce things without relying on external capital. The principle is to allow nature to grow.
A survey done in Sri Lanka in 2008 found 538 organisations gathering information on ecological agriculture. Now, the government is considering to provide support on this effort because it is more reasonable that supporting the costs of heavy chemical inputs. The Sri Lankan government is now contemplating about ecological growing plots for all families.
Fernando reitirated that we have to use the conference as a venue to provide proper direction, to say that ‘we have to restore the ability of the earth to survive’ and to strengthen and support this growing movement in the world. He said, Sri Lanka can become a model country because it is a small country with tremendous blessings from nature. It is not about being the most powerful nor the richest, but to show that those who are being excluded have the right to take ownership and help keep the world alive.
Keynote Address: Sarath Fernando of Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), Sri Lanka
Sarath Fernando said that this is an important conference and a crucial moment in our history. He talked about the experiences of peasants, agricultural workers and livestock keepers. He went on to say that we are now experiencing "climate destruction" and not just "climate change" and referred to the recent disaster that hit the Philippines.
Fernando, however said that instead of going through all the tragic and unfortunate things are are happening to the world and, the excluded and discarded people of his society, we should focus on the positive aspects of all these. He enjoined everyone in creating a positive agenda for the rest of the world and that it is time that we should seriously question some of the concepts that we have been adopting, terms of development, growth, exploitation, and the end of nature. He also warned that actually, we are no longer developing but instead, we are moving towards a dangerous side of destruction and survival.
Fernando then shared what is being done by the small farmers, which should enlighten the whole world. MONLAR emerged out of about 15 years of work with farmers. He said that the work that needed to be advanced is the Peasant Information Network. He also spoke about the civil wars in Sri Lanka and how this gave rise to MONLAR. He said that even if there are a lot of things to complain about, things are beginning to change and there are things that bring a lot of hope to the people.
He also said that PAN AP has given birth to a process that should lead the way for the rest of the world. Fernando said, "We need a world without poisons, where we are not compelled to eat and drink poisons. We need food production that does not poison our water, food and environment. Now, the task is to protect, conserve and sustain a system that is basically unsustainable. We need to create a new system of recovery."
In Sri Lanka, inspite of 50-60 years of unsustainable agriculture, he said that there are food that can be gathered from their neighbours and that this gave way to another process in which people planted food in plots of land so that food could be made available. Even without money for fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, people and communities found ways of doing agriculture without chemical inputs.
Fernando said that the type of agriculture that is free of external inputs is fast becoming a movement, a definite trend, and is growing in Asia. This is what we now refer to as ecological agriculture. He explained that we need a process to restore nature’s ability to regenerate itself. He said that birth, growth, decay and then, regrowth has to be a guiding principle of our survival and that it is imperative that we restore this, otherwise life will not survive. The experience of small people, who are compelled to survive without money, has shown us the way to produce things without relying on external capital. The principle is to allow nature to grow.
A survey done in Sri Lanka in 2008 found 538 organisations gathering information on ecological agriculture. Now, the government is considering to provide support on this effort because it is more reasonable that supporting the costs of heavy chemical inputs. The Sri Lankan government is now contemplating about ecological growing plots for all families.
Fernando reitirated that we have to use the conference as a venue to provide proper direction, to say that ‘we have to restore the ability of the earth to survive’ and to strengthen and support this growing movement in the world. He said, Sri Lanka can become a model country because it is a small country with tremendous blessings from nature. It is not about being the most powerful nor the richest, but to show that those who are being excluded have the right to take ownership and help keep the world alive.
Conference Opening Address
The following is an excerpt from the Opening Address of Y.B. Pee Boon Poh, Penang State EXCO for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and the Environment
Good day and welcome to Penang!
On behalf of the Chief Minister MR. YAB TUAN LIM GUAN ENG, I would like to welcome and congratulate you for holding this timely and relevant conference.
We recognize that this gathering is being convened amidst pronounced global development challenges such as the food crisis and climate change. Concurrently, the world economy is afflicted with a chronic financial plague that wreaks havoc from financial markets to farms.
In 2008, the Sunday Herald characterized the global food crisis as “humanity’s biggest crisis in the 21st century.” Because it is fused with “an economic crisis of the enormity taking place today, the impact could be catastrophic,” a FAO official recently warned, while also noting the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture.
The manifold adverse implications of climate change are also being felt across the globe. Global temperatures rose twice as fast in the last 50 years as over the last century and are projected to increase even faster in the years to come. The resulting floods, fires and other climate catastrophes have inflicted damaging effects on the environment, agriculture, livelihoods and lives.
Far from being mere catchphrases for crises, these challenges impact on the environment and the resources, livelihood and health of vulnerable sectors in agriculture.
Various global responses are being made to address the crises. In December 2009, the UN climate conference in Copenhagen will take place with the aim of yielding a new global climate treaty.
Grassroots responses are also domestically pursued yet are often unheard in international fora that try to address the development challenges posed by the global crises.
As the crises escalate, poverty and hunger worsen. Loss of jobs and livelihoods increase. The exodus of workers from urban to rural areas stretches further.
The confluence of these global development issues has adversely affected vulnerable sectors: peasants, agricultural workers, fisherfolk, women, indigenous peoples and livestock keepers. These sectors bear the brunt of the chronic crises but they are relegated to the sidelines of so-called global and local efforts to addressing the crises.
In decision-making processes involving these challenges, the voices of affected sectors are neither considered let alone heard. However, they offer grounded perspectives on and sustainable solutions to the crises.
We hope that this conference will serve as a platform for tackling and sharpening analysis on pressing global issues as they impact on the said marginalized sectors.
There is indeed a pressing need to facilitate collective learning from the wide range of grassroots, national and regional experiences and responses with the end view of formulating viable strategies for confronting and addressing current threats and challenges.
We recognize the importance of building a stronger solidarity and a resilient resistance of movements and civil society organizations in our part of the world.
Indeed, even as the crises escalate, peoples' responses abound and their struggles reverberate. Concomitantly, it is an opportune moment to affirm, strengthen and reinvigorate sustainable ecological practices in agriculture as a sustainable response to the chronic global threats and crises.
We support proposed actions that build on people's resistance and alternatives that promote food sovereignty, ecological agriculture, environmental sustainability and gender justice.
Penang, being a coastal state, shares the same concern about the impacts of the climate and food crises. However, the people of Penang also believe that the global food and environmental challenges can also provide opportunities to tread a more sustainable path of development.
We intend to be a green manufacturing hub that will enable us to explore the opportunities of producing goods and services in an environmentally responsible way. We would take steps to go into the new fields of environmental technologies and sustainable development.
The Penang State government is committed to protect and promote the environment for our future generation. Over the last few months, we have been focusing on several programmes which we believe will contribute to reducing carbon emission.
We have initiated the following:
• “No Plastic Mondays” to reduce plastic bag consumption
• 1 million EM mudballs to clean rivers and drains
• Tree-planting
• Providing incentives for housing developers who adopted Green Building Index (GBI)
• Proposed an integrated transportation master plan towards becoming the first green state in Malaysia.
Apart from the government, we are also urging industries to also take the initiative to show their willingness and determination to pursue sustainable production and consumption in their own business strategies to achieve the highest standards of sustainability, with low and zero carbon technologies, state-of-the-art recycling, water management systems and good public transport.
In view of the foregoing, we agreed to develop and implement a project on the theme of “Development of an Eco-town in Penang, Malaysia”. The project looks at the formulation of an eco-town policy framework and an action plan for the development of Penang Cyber City as an eco-town, and develops strategies and plans for the purpose.
Penang is a highly urbanized and industrialized State and we see the need to integrate the concerns of environmental sustainability into local and global economic growth strategies. This means that we have to ensure that resources used today are still available to be used by our children in the future. Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of the Earth's natural resource. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet.
The new concept of eco-towns offers us a key starting point for addressing these questions pertaining to industrial development and sustainable living that affects our quality of life.
Penang aspires to be Malaysia’s first Green Manufacturing Hub in the region. We will showcase environmentally friendly infrastructure and manufacturing processes which meet international environmental standards.
If we are to make eco-town a successful project, there are three important issues that we need to address: energy and water consumption, effective public transportation and affordable housing. We hope that all the stakeholders in Penang will fully cooperate in the eco-town projects. We hope that Penang will become a very important green manufacturing player regionally and internationally with the implementation of the eco-town project.
In closing, the State Government of Penang looks forward to working with you in realizing your valuable recommendations.
I wish you all a very meaningful and productive discourse and strategy conference. Enjoy your stay in our beautiful and serene island.
Good day and welcome to Penang!
On behalf of the Chief Minister MR. YAB TUAN LIM GUAN ENG, I would like to welcome and congratulate you for holding this timely and relevant conference.
We recognize that this gathering is being convened amidst pronounced global development challenges such as the food crisis and climate change. Concurrently, the world economy is afflicted with a chronic financial plague that wreaks havoc from financial markets to farms.
In 2008, the Sunday Herald characterized the global food crisis as “humanity’s biggest crisis in the 21st century.” Because it is fused with “an economic crisis of the enormity taking place today, the impact could be catastrophic,” a FAO official recently warned, while also noting the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture.
The manifold adverse implications of climate change are also being felt across the globe. Global temperatures rose twice as fast in the last 50 years as over the last century and are projected to increase even faster in the years to come. The resulting floods, fires and other climate catastrophes have inflicted damaging effects on the environment, agriculture, livelihoods and lives.
Far from being mere catchphrases for crises, these challenges impact on the environment and the resources, livelihood and health of vulnerable sectors in agriculture.
Various global responses are being made to address the crises. In December 2009, the UN climate conference in Copenhagen will take place with the aim of yielding a new global climate treaty.
Grassroots responses are also domestically pursued yet are often unheard in international fora that try to address the development challenges posed by the global crises.
As the crises escalate, poverty and hunger worsen. Loss of jobs and livelihoods increase. The exodus of workers from urban to rural areas stretches further.
The confluence of these global development issues has adversely affected vulnerable sectors: peasants, agricultural workers, fisherfolk, women, indigenous peoples and livestock keepers. These sectors bear the brunt of the chronic crises but they are relegated to the sidelines of so-called global and local efforts to addressing the crises.
In decision-making processes involving these challenges, the voices of affected sectors are neither considered let alone heard. However, they offer grounded perspectives on and sustainable solutions to the crises.
We hope that this conference will serve as a platform for tackling and sharpening analysis on pressing global issues as they impact on the said marginalized sectors.
There is indeed a pressing need to facilitate collective learning from the wide range of grassroots, national and regional experiences and responses with the end view of formulating viable strategies for confronting and addressing current threats and challenges.
We recognize the importance of building a stronger solidarity and a resilient resistance of movements and civil society organizations in our part of the world.
Indeed, even as the crises escalate, peoples' responses abound and their struggles reverberate. Concomitantly, it is an opportune moment to affirm, strengthen and reinvigorate sustainable ecological practices in agriculture as a sustainable response to the chronic global threats and crises.
We support proposed actions that build on people's resistance and alternatives that promote food sovereignty, ecological agriculture, environmental sustainability and gender justice.
Penang, being a coastal state, shares the same concern about the impacts of the climate and food crises. However, the people of Penang also believe that the global food and environmental challenges can also provide opportunities to tread a more sustainable path of development.
We intend to be a green manufacturing hub that will enable us to explore the opportunities of producing goods and services in an environmentally responsible way. We would take steps to go into the new fields of environmental technologies and sustainable development.
The Penang State government is committed to protect and promote the environment for our future generation. Over the last few months, we have been focusing on several programmes which we believe will contribute to reducing carbon emission.
We have initiated the following:
• “No Plastic Mondays” to reduce plastic bag consumption
• 1 million EM mudballs to clean rivers and drains
• Tree-planting
• Providing incentives for housing developers who adopted Green Building Index (GBI)
• Proposed an integrated transportation master plan towards becoming the first green state in Malaysia.
Apart from the government, we are also urging industries to also take the initiative to show their willingness and determination to pursue sustainable production and consumption in their own business strategies to achieve the highest standards of sustainability, with low and zero carbon technologies, state-of-the-art recycling, water management systems and good public transport.
In view of the foregoing, we agreed to develop and implement a project on the theme of “Development of an Eco-town in Penang, Malaysia”. The project looks at the formulation of an eco-town policy framework and an action plan for the development of Penang Cyber City as an eco-town, and develops strategies and plans for the purpose.
Penang is a highly urbanized and industrialized State and we see the need to integrate the concerns of environmental sustainability into local and global economic growth strategies. This means that we have to ensure that resources used today are still available to be used by our children in the future. Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of the Earth's natural resource. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet.
The new concept of eco-towns offers us a key starting point for addressing these questions pertaining to industrial development and sustainable living that affects our quality of life.
Penang aspires to be Malaysia’s first Green Manufacturing Hub in the region. We will showcase environmentally friendly infrastructure and manufacturing processes which meet international environmental standards.
If we are to make eco-town a successful project, there are three important issues that we need to address: energy and water consumption, effective public transportation and affordable housing. We hope that all the stakeholders in Penang will fully cooperate in the eco-town projects. We hope that Penang will become a very important green manufacturing player regionally and internationally with the implementation of the eco-town project.
In closing, the State Government of Penang looks forward to working with you in realizing your valuable recommendations.
I wish you all a very meaningful and productive discourse and strategy conference. Enjoy your stay in our beautiful and serene island.
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