By Jacqueline Skalski-Fouts The writer is an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia. VIRGINIA, USA (IDN) — North African pastoralism, an agricultural method used for centuries by nomadic people in the steppe highlands, is on the decline. Facing limited grazing land due to overuse and drought, pastoral nomads are favouring more sedentary farming methods […]
ADB Warns Covid-19 Threatens Asia’s Progress Towards Achieving Global Development Goals
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — A new report released by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that an estimated 75 to 80 million people in the developing regions of Asia have been pushed back into poverty last year threatening to derail the region’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
‘Khettara’: The Past & Present Treasure in Morocco’s Haouz Region
Morocco’s indigenous people Khettara helped build a civilization and transferred deserts into green paradises and stood against climate change problems. The following article shows the value of this water heritage and sustainable water initiatives. By Errachid Montassir* RHAMNA, Morocco (IDN) — Water is the great essence of life in all its manifestations and ways of […]
A Widespread Famine Accelerated by Floods, Droughts — and Guns
By Thalif Deen* NEW YORK (IDN) — A recent joint press release by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had an arresting headline: Famine Relief Blocked by Bullets, Red Tape and Lack of Funding. But not necessarily in that order.
Acute Food Insecurity Threatens World’s 23 ‘Hunger Hotspots’
By Jaya Ramachandran ROME (IDN) — A new report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that “life-saving aid” to families on the brink of famine is being cut off in several countries by fighting and blockades. Of serious concern, says the report, are 23 ‘hunger hotspots’ […]
Indian Farmers Continue to Innovate with Their Protests
By Arun Srivastava* NEW DELHI (IDN) — World history is full of narratives of peasant struggles and uprising. India also has seen many of them which had different perspectives and dimensions. Early peasant movements were usually against feudal and semi-feudal societies and resulted in violent uprisings.
Indian Farmers’ Protests Continue to be Innovative
By Arun Srivastava* NEW DELHI (IDN) — World history is full of narratives of peasant struggles and uprising. India also has seen many of them which had different perspectives and dimensions. Early peasant movements were usually against feudal and semi-feudal societies and resulted in violent uprisings.
Millets Prove Tasty Solution to Climate and Food Security Challenges
By UN News NEW YORK (IDN) — A renewed focus on boosting the production of millets and highlighting their benefits, is critical to reducing over-reliance on more commonly grown crops, boosting diverse diets, and food security. That’s especially true during periods of natural disaster when food becomes scarce, according to Dr Nancy Aburto, an agriculture […]
27 Million in the Sahel and West Africa Facing Unprecedented Food and Nutrition Crisis
By Jaya Ramachandaran PARIS (IDN) — The Sahel and West Africa are facing a major food and nutrition crisis for the second consecutive year and 27.1 million people will be at risk during the 2021 lean season, according to experts. A swift and co-ordinated response, they say, is needed alongside strengthened political commitment to finding […]
A Three-Day Event in Italy to Set the Stage for UN Food Systems Summit
By Jaya Ramachandran ROME (IDN) — Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the Pre-Summit of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit from July 19 to July 21 will bring together worldwide efforts and contributions aiming at transforming global food systems. Youth, smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, researchers, the […]