The following post is brought to us by High School student Carson Rodgers of MacGregor, Manitoba. Carson had an opportunity to attend the 2014 Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa this fall with scholarship assistance from Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba and Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development.
You can also read more from Carson in Youth engaged in world food security issues from the Manitoba Cooperator.
Be Well…Jenn
This fall, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. The 3 days were an eye opener to the situation happening with world food production and loads of very informative and thought provoking information.
World Food Day Journey Highlights:
- The lack of fertilizer in African soil has depleted the nutrients in the soil which produces fewer yields each crop cycle.
- We were shown a small holder farm in Africa that shows a healthy farm. They had divided their small land holding into 4 parts: a home quarter, livestock quarter, crop quarter and a greenhouse/fruit tree quarter.
- The president of Sierra Leone, by way of video chat, updated us on the Ebola crisis and the importance of young people in agriculture as most small holder farms are run by elderly women. AIDS has depleted the male population in agriculture.
- Water management in Africa is not effective as more is wasted than used.
- Drip irrigation, which is pipes under the ground that brings water to the root of the plant, is one of the solutions to the water problem.
- We were present when Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram received his World Food Prize Award, for his development of over 400 varieties of wheat.
- We packed meals for African countries and learned that American aid is different from Canada’s. They send food, whereas we give money so that food can be bought from the local farmers, which helps their economy.
- During the Oxfam Hunger Banquet it was stated that the world’s middle class differs from ours, in that Canadians income is much higher.
- Agriculture education is crucial for helping Africa feed itself.
- Food waste is a major concern in Africa from a lack of infrastructure – like roads and refrigeration vehicles. Product either spoils from lack of cooling or rough roads that damage crops.
In conclusion I would say that, we as Canadians need to be more proactive in addressing the concerns of the food crisis in developing countries.
Be Well…Carson Rodgers
Carson Rodgers, High School student from MacGregor, Manitoba. Attended the 2014 Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa.
Carson is a competitive athlete, 4-H Member, student council sports rep, and co-owner of Firdale Simmentals. He will be attending university in the fall of 2015 studying animal genetics.
