Page 39 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 24
P. 39
Food health
that climate change is a global believe that a boost in a rich as an alternative. What was
crisis, and it demands shared diversity of indigenous plants initially introduced to enhance
responsibility. The devastating and animals can do better as agricultural productivity
impacts of climate change are they are resistant to harsh and food security has now
hitting us hard, particularly in climatic fluctuations. placed a significant strain on
African rural communities that communities’ finances. The
are predominantly agricultural The meeting further illuminated high costs associated with
farmers. how climate variability has these invasive species force
disrupted traditional planting local farmers to divert funds
While it is true that various seasons, resulting in diminished away from essential needs like
African states have formulated yields for farmers. The education, healthcare, and basic
policies, laws, and commitments introduction of fast-growing infrastructure development.
regarding climate change, genetically modified organisms It should also be noted that
including the integration of has exacerbated this issue, the rise in temperatures due
climate justice principles, there as these invasive species to climate change has led to
is still a prevailing sense among are ill-suited to cope with an upsurge in pest and disease
grassroots communities that our climatic fluctuations, pests, occurrences. Genetically
leaders have not done enough and diseases. Moreover, the modified organisms are
to combat these calamities. financial burden imposed by susceptible to these attacks, as
Consequently, there is an urgent purchasing expensive inputs exemplified by the devastating
call for radical approaches to such as chemicals, fertilizers, armyworm infestation that
shield African people and future pesticides, herbicides, wiped out maize plantations last
generations from the current processed feeds, and vaccines year. The pests’ proliferation
climate crisis. has further hampered small- is exacerbated by warmer
As the Heads of state and scale agricultural activities. temperatures.
different stakeholders convened
to discuss important issues Additionally, over 85% of Additionally, the local
relating to climate justice, I grassroots communities rely production of organic fertilizers
hoped they would consider heavily on rain-fed agriculture. and regenerative seeds and
the concerns of grassroots Unfortunately, these invasive the use of a wider variety of
communities, which are GMOs are unsuitable for local local crops and no-till farming
key to attaining sustainable environmental conditions, methods will help to restore
and inclusive development. necessitating costly irrigation food security.
Grassroots communities are
concerned about the increased
use and promotion of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) in
Africa. For example, Uganda,
with its agricultural backbone,
grapples with numerous
challenges in managing these
invasive species, which demand
substantial capital investments
in the form of fertilizers,
herbicides, pesticides, and
others. The rural communities
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