13.01.2011

A report by Washington DC-based research organisation Worldwatch Institute claims that the fight against hunger and climate change will not be won using industrial agriculture.

The report, 'State of the World: Innovations that nourish the planet', which was launched on Wednesday (12th January), strongly supports the role of agroecological farming methods in developing food security and eliminating hunger. This stance is in line with findings of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report written by 400 scientists and approved by 60 countries.

The Worldwatch publication lauds the work undertaken by the Soil Association; State of the World cites the findings of a Soil Association report which suggests that the best way to develop food security is to change type of food produced and improve its distribution. The Soil Association report recommends a reduction in meat production, use of more environmentally sustainable agricultural methods, and a break with reliance on petro-chemicals, as well as increased local and regional production of food.

'State of the World also argues for a culturally sensitive approach to tackling world hunger; one which takes into account local traditional methods, does not focus overly much on one input such as expensive chemicals, or exclude anyone, as has previously happened with female farmers.

The Worldwatch report advocates the use of the use of systems such as Conservation agriculture, organic farming and agroforestry, using as examples the various methods' successes, such as Zimbabwe, where nitrogen-fixing “fertilizer” trees are responsible for land regeneration, soil health, and food security.

Emma Hockridge, head of policy at the Soil Association, has praised “This excellent and timely report”, adding that it “provides overwhelming evidence for the expansion of agroecological farming systems, such as organic, to achieve food security for all.”

Worldwatch President, Christopher Flavin has hopes that the report “will contribute to thinking more systemically—and more radically—about the future of the food system.”  In the book, Flavin asserts that “We must dispense with simple truths like “bigger is better” and avoid the search for silver bullet solutions to complex problems.”

The report can be accessed from here.