Food to Think

I can’t help but keeping my ear to the ground when it comes to national’s issues here because I am working with the new generation, I can help with the roots but the sun needs to shine for the tree to grow. What are these youth growing into?

UPDATE: Mozambique is facing difficult economic challenges growth this year will be below 4.5%, which is 3% below historic levels, the currency has depreciated by about 28% and Inflation hit 16% in May. The International Monetary Fund – the world’s bank- just completed a distressing mission to investigate the government’s recent economic actions and will not resume funding until corrective actions are started. Borrowing needed money is a long way off.

Mozambique has an agricultural based economy; last month a big campaign in the Northern section of Mozambique to adapt a plan that was used in Brazil to increase its production of agriculture by establishing large plantations.  This would require the government to seize property in the rural areas and cause displacement of thousands of peasants. The protest against this new plan won but the problem continues.

International funding institutions like the World Bank and the African Development Bank, invest millions in big projects in the poultry market, yet the profit usually doesn’t go to the local villagers (except in labor).  Smaller simpler projects, including one from Bill Gates proposing to give 5 chickens to those in the program, can’t quite succeed to commercial use  because of cost and availability of feed, veterinary care, and coops.

Like many,  I believe the answer is in the middle – local cooperatives, (neighboring farmers working together) mid-size producers. With strong basic education, and the cultural trait of group mentality, this business of cooperatives could be a sustainable pathway for these youth.

If you are interested in this topic read; Chickens and beer: A recipe for agricultural growth in Mozambique by Teresa Smart and Joseph Hanlon - pdf format, 6 Mb file, free on http://bit.ly/chickens-beer.

The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not represent Peace Corps nor the U.S. government.

 

@bloggingabroad

VERSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2