Weekending Sunday, 18 November 2007

MARKETS CRUCIAL TO MAINTAINING CROP DIVERSITY

13 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: The grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and tubers that have been grown in Africa for thousands of years contain a wealth of genetic diversity may be lost in the scramble to provide farmers with hearty high-yielding staples like rice and corn. Establishing markets for Africa’s traditional crops is necessary for their preservation, said Rebecca Nelson, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology at Cornell University, in an interview with MediaGlobal. “What you market becomes marketable,” she said. “Now is the opportunity,” to make a profitable niche for these crops. Grains like finger millet, long considered a “prestige food” in Kenya, will lose their prominence if they become unavailable, pushed out of markets by higher profile crops. As local farmers stop growing traditional foods, varieties cultivated for generations will cease to exist, leaving holes in an increasingly fragile agricultural web. “Those traditional crops have a role both nutritionally and in terms of being locally adapted, having a cultural value,” Nelson said. As climate change destabilizes agriculture, crop diversity becomes more and more important. Farmers need “a portfolio of options,” to help manage the risk of droughts, floods, pests and a range of other disasters. “Diversity is not just a nice idea, it actually has functional properties, especially in a continent characterized by diversity,” she said.

ALLIANCE FOR A GREEN REVOLUTION IN AFRICA PROVIDES SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS FACING AGRICULTURE

13 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: This week the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) announced Dr. A. Namanga Ngongi as the organization’s first president. AGRA, an African-led endeavor, seeks to provide African-inspired solutions to the problems facing agriculture on the continent. With the population of Africa rising by an average of three percent annually, it is rapidly outgrowing the existing agricultural system. Rather than simply stripping more land for agriculture, AGRA believes that strides can be made by increasing the crop yields of individual farmers. Together, small-scale farmers are responsible for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Africa’s agricultural output. Rather than trying to replace this existing system with large-scale farms, AGRA sees small private holdings as an opportunity. As individual yields increase, farmers are more able to feed their own families, and eventually lift themselves out of poverty. As food security improves, African nations will rely less and less on foreign imports, strengthening their domestic economies. In this way agriculture could provide a foundation for development across Africa. Such change, however, will not come easily. Seeds and tools are often too expensive for poor farmers to buy, or are simply not available at all. Speaking to MediaGlobal from Accra, Ghana, Dr. Ngongi acknowledged the complexity of the situation, but reaffirmed AGRAs commitment to addressing these challenges. Ultimately, he was hopeful. “I don’t think there’s just one answer, but it’s a combination of actions that can be taken, not only by AGRA, but also by its partners, to be able to serve the small farmer,” said Dr. Ngongi. “That will take a little bit more time, but that’s no excuse for not starting now, for not trying.”

SUPPORT FOR CLEAN ENERGY IN DEVELOPING WORLD

14 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Access to energy is integral to the fight against poverty, particularly in the least developed countries. If current trends in investment and policy persist, 1.4 billion people will lack access to energy services in 2030. Most will continue to burn biomass, such as wood and agricultural byproducts, highly inefficient and environmentally harmful forms of fuel. Biomass burning causes pollution that has been linked to far higher rates of respiratory ailments and shortened life expectancies in developing countries. The World Bank’s Clean Energy Investment Framework seeks to change investment trends, encouraging the growth of renewable energy sectors. The framework is a lens through which the Bank evaluates the projects it chooses to fund, asking, “is it sustainable or not and what can we do to make it more sustainable,” Oscar Avalle, Special Representative of the World Bank to the United Nations, told MediaGlobal. The Clean Energy Investment Framework is intended to help impoverished countries develop efficient low carbon energy systems and foster the growth of a global carbon market, where carbon emissions in one part of the world may be “offset” by investments in reductions in another. “It incorporates the modality of sustainability in each project,” Avalle said, adding that the investment framework represents a philosophical shift rather than an abrupt about face in the Bank’s policies. “It’s not like today we are dirty and tomorrow we’re going to be clean,” he said.

WORLD BANK REPORTS STEADY ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AFRICA

14 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: The World Bank’s Africa Development Indicators (ADI) for 2007 found that African economies seem to have turned the corner and are moving towards the levels of economic growth that are required to reduce poverty. The data concerned the period of time from 1995 to 2005. Comparing this information with that collected between 1975 and 1995, a time of economic collapse and ensuing stagnation, economic performance appears to be up. The ADI reported that continued sustainable development will require increased productivity and private investment. In order to reach this goal, improvements in business climates and infrastructure must be made and innovation encouraged. Performance data varied considerably, from a negative 2.2 percent in Zimbabwe to 30.8 percent in Equatorial Guinea. “Greater integration with the global economy, especially through export trade, are characteristics common to all African countries that have record sustained growth,” said Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President of the Africa Region. Yet growth in Africa is more volatile than that of any other region of the world. This has caused a dampening in investments and expectations. “ADI 2007 finds that avoiding sharp declines in GDP growth was critical to Africa’s economic recovery,” added John Page, World Bank’s Chief Economist for the Africa Region, “Avoiding growth collapses is key to accelerating progress towards the MDGs in Africa.”

MASSIVE DISPLACEMENT AS INTERNAL CONFLICT IN THE DRC CONTINUES

15 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Thousands of people returned to camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North Kivu Province of The Democratic Republic of the Congo, after fleeing them several days before. Out of some 38,000 IDPs, 28,000 fled the camps after skirmishes in the surrounding hills between government forces and renegade troops. Of those who fled, 80 percent returned to the camp to find it looted of many of the supplies given to the IDPs by UN agencies. “There are strong indications that some of the looting, particularly of plastic sheeting, was carried out by government soldiers. However, it is also becoming evident that some of the IDPs may have sold plastic sheeting or are hoarding these in the hope of getting additional supplies.” Millicent Mutuli, UNHCR’s Senior Regional Information Officer, told MediaGlobal. “There is need for essential items such as plastic sheeting, agricultural tools and seeds provided by UN agencies, such as FAO, and food rations provided by WFP. UNHCR may be able to replenish some of the looted plastic sheeting used for shelter. More supplies will however need to be airlifted from stockpiles in the region,” Mutuli added.

SOCCER MATCH AIMED AT RAISING AWARENESS OF POVERTY

16 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: International soccer superstars and UN Goodwill Ambassadors Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima of Brazil and Zinedine Zidane of France will be hosting an international friendly match intended to raise public awareness of poverty. The match also seeks to remind people that everyone is responsible for helping the world meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Called the “Match Against Poverty,” coaches Javier Aguirre of Mexico and Pierluigi Collina of Italy and over 250 journalists will be in attendance. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to projects selected by the United Nations Development Programme across Latin America, Africa and Asia. This will be the fifth annual event. Previous proceeds were used to provide scholastic materials to 3000 children in Haiti; build a healthcare center and a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo; employ and train 350 people in Sri Lanka to install water systems; purchase 400 bikes in Uganda to give women a source of mobility and involve more people in post-conflict peace processes; and much more. A list of 45 players who will compete in the match has been confirmed, with more internationally renowned soccer players to be named shortly. The event will take place in Malaga, Spain, where tickets have already sold out.

EXPERT UN PANEL HIGHLIGHTS THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

16 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: In light of the grim report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), declaring that global warming could be “abrupt or irreversible,” a distinguished panel at the United Nations this week highlighted the threat of climate change to sustainable development in a two-day expert group meeting. “The negative consequences far outweigh the positive,” said Mr. Mohan Munasinghe, Vice-Chair of the IPCC and Chairman of the Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND) in Sri Lanka. From increased desertification and droughts to rising sea levels and the thinning of ice caps and glaciers, Munasinghe warned that the rising concentration of greenhouse gases would mainly impact health, agriculture, forest, water resources, coastal areas, and natural habitats. However, the news was not all negative. “By changing the way development operates, we can make a major contribution to fighting climate change,” said Munasinghe. The way to do this, he described, is through a two-part process: mitigation and adaptation. By reducing CO2 and other emissions through sustainable development strategies and living, and by adapting human activity to reduce vulnerability, the adverse effects of climate change can be contained. “Instead of looking at adaptation and mitigation as ad hoc things,” noted Munasinghe, “we try to integrate them within sustainable development strategies so we can escape the poverty trap, overcome food [in]security while also addressing the climate problem.” The strategies are also cost-effective, added Ms. Le-Yin Zhang, a lecturer at the Development Planning Unit at the University College London. “Promising options are available. The question is whether decision-makers looking at this are persuaded by its long-term benefits, and whether we have the political will to act on it,” she concluded.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION LINKED TO HIV TRANSMISSION

17 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Researchers have linked the spread of HIV/AIDS in women to another major health affliction, female genital mutilation (FGM), reports the Arusha Times. Periodic research data over the past ten years has linked dirty cutting equipment, hemorrhages requiring blood transfusions and damaging sexual intercourse causing vaginal tearing to rising rates of HIV transmission among women in countries where FGM is still widely practiced. “Although few clinical studies have been conducted, it is clear that at least some forms of FGM increase the HIV transmission risk faced by women and girls, both in that unsterile instruments may be used in the cutting and because some FGM is associated with chronic genital injury and tearing, ulceration and delayed healing of injuries, all of which may increase HIV risk,” a New York-based human rights group concluded in a December 2003 report. Despite many laws prohibiting this practice it is still continues, especially in outlying and rural regions. “Even well-educated citizens practice FGM,” said a representative from the National Union of Djiboutian Women, a national women’s rights group based in Djibouti City. “It’s a traditional practice and a traditional belief. It’s deeper than the law.”

CONTROVERSIAL USE OF DDT BEGINS TO BE ACCEPTED IN FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA IN SOUTH AFRICA

16 November 2007 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Following years of controversy, parts of rural South Africa have now begun to use DDT to fight malaria. DDT, short for Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, is used as a chemical spray inside houses to kill mosquitoes carrying the parasite that causes malaria. Its health and environmental effects, however, have made it infamous the world over. Studies have indicated that medical irregularities such as underweight babies and decreased male sperm production may stem from the use of DDT. Healthier and more environmentally sustainable alternatives are said to be available in the form of insecticides known as pyrethroids. Though DDT has been used in South Africa since 1946 and has been credited with effectively eradicated malaria throughout the country, international criticism during the post-apartheid era, citing DDT’s adverse effects, led to a transition towards using pyrethroids. However, the re-emergence of Anopheles Phenestus mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite in certain South African provinces resulted in another outbreak, claiming the lives of 458 people in 2000 and infecting over 64,662 others. Using DDT as opposed to pyrethroids to stop the outbreak in 2001, the number of infected people declined to 26,506 cases, and only 119 deaths were recorded. As statistics dramatically improve nearly every year, many members of the government and local communities are once again hailing DDT as an effective strategy to prevent the spread of malaria. Though the debate over the effectiveness of DDT continues, many believe statistics indicate that there is no better alternative. “People were afraid to spray their walls because of what they heard about DDT. But seeing the difference it makes has changed many people’s minds,” said John Kutama, sub-district manager of the Limpopo Malaria Institute in South Africa. Over 300 million people are affected by malaria every year; of this number, 3 million die, many of them children under the age of five.