I attended the second African Green Revolution Conference held in Oslo, Norway from August 30 to September 1st. It brought together leading experts on sustainable agricultural development, including government representatives from across Africa. Both optimism and urgency emerged from the conference.
The Oslo Conference has become the prime venue for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). If we recognize that small business is the backbone of the Canadian economy, then we can quickly see the need for the private sector to develop in African countries. It is urgent.
We must also recognize that agricultural subsidies in the developed world are "undermining the effort to strengthen African farming".
Canada has always been a leader in assisting developing countries, but with the current leadership in our country our influence and level of assistance is on a slippery downward slope. Millions of people on the continent of Africa are counting on us to work with them. Canada needs to step up to the plate today, not tomorrow.
Yours,
Monday, September 10, 2007
African Green Revolution Conference
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Susan -- it's great to see that you are advocating for Canada to expand its' positive influence across the globe. Noting that sustainable agriculture is imperative to the success of Africa, isn't the same true for Canada?
A drive out to the county will plainly demonstrate the status of the W-E County farmers. What incentives, fiscal or otherwise, are given to farmers to pursue sustainable agriculture? I certainly agree with the prosperous nations sustaining those that are struggling to develop, but we cannot neglect the agricultural crisis that is destroying our ability to self-sustain.
Keep the message of sustainable agriculture alive, locally and globally. It is certainly a message worth stating!
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