About time

Although in reality it is not new news, it is about time that someone recognizes that there is a desperate need for agriculture to change. However, even if agriculture does do a drastic U-turn, and despite it being a lovely and quaint thought, the idea that fuel and food are going to once again drop in price is ridiculous and whomever believes that it will is riding a false wave of hope. Unfettered financial growth does not exist and will not continue. A question begging to be asked is: What is the power shift in the world going to look like in the ensuing months and years? Who knows, but I am willing to guess that it is not those clutching to what power they still have.

Equality in Ag

It frequently amazes me that even small countries with limited budgets like Lebanon have the ability and initiative to help women in agriculture to improve their lives and the lives of others. What is even more amazing, to me at least, is that Italy helped finance the event. Apparently they don’t feel that they are aiding and abetting terrorists like other countries in the west. What a wonderful, bold statement by Italy to sow the seeds of peace. If only other nations could learn from that.

Food crisis

The devastation is unthinkable and many are suffering on both sides of the barriers. I am referring to the conflict (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) between Israel and the Palestinians, or the Palestinians and the Israelis. Regardless of which viewpoint you see it from, the crisis is immense and unthinkable. It is shameful that we do not hear about the situation here in the US. The fact that 80% of people in Gaza need food assistance and that number is only rising. The agricultural crisis is also frightening, as Palestinians in Gaza are less and less able to produce their own food every year. This stems from numerous reasons, from Israeli confiscation of arable land, water shortages, seed and input shortages, to flat out poverty and inability to buy the necessary products to grow food. If you want to know a little more about the food insecurity of Gaza and the West Bank from the FAO. Further interesting reading. Something a little more positive. A little old, but relevant. Last but not least, a view from the Palestinian perspective.