New Publication: Future Agricultural Models
I’ve just added a new Agricultural Extension team publication to the “Publications” tab on this blog – head on over to take a look!
This excellent paper was written by AgEx team member Miriam Hird-Younger (who also happens to have a fantastic blog). It’s a great overview of some of the current views on global food systems and recommendations for how EWB can engage going forward. In a nutshell, there is no consensus about the “way forward” in agriculture. Some people promote high-intensity commercial farming, others encourage organic, while still others support small-scale producers.
EWB does not have the answer (or the expertise to ascertain an answer) to this highly complex problem of ongoing food production. But I believe it’s important to stay on top of the debate and make sure that we continue to ask ourselves, “what type of agricultural model are we working toward?” It would be a shame to look back in 20 years and realize that although we were promoting human development, it was at the expense of the long-term sustainability of food production in Africa.
So head on over and take a look at this thought-provoking paper! Link is here.
What am I doing here? 
Excited to read this. Since coming back to Canada, I’ve been challenged a few times on the sustainability aspect of EWB’s work in agriculture, and have been wondering myself whether we are looking into it enough. It’s a funny question if you consider AVC in addition to AgEx, as I would say that in general most AVC work is towards more input-heavy agriculture? I guess maybe not quality differentiated buying.
November 19, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Great Tom! Yes it’s a big question, and one we should probably re-visit often. You should send your thoughts and comments on the document to Miriam as well as myself – she wrote it!
Hope you’re doing well,
Erin
November 19, 2012 at 1:04 pm