I like it that our Ministry of Agriculture is going to add to its title - Food Security (It used to be- Ministry of Agriculture , then addition of ...Rural Development. Now it would be - Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security).
There's Climate change and Military conflicts out there, as well as increase in population - all of which might endanger food supply , cause shortage, and hunger ( just to mention one hazard of the last year - the yemenite Houthis terrorists attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea).
The current process of encouraging import and dependence on other countries, has to be reversed! It is local agriculture and self- production that have to be encouraged , nourished, and fortified for our own sake. Farmers should be given incentives to practice cultivation of sustainable crops.
Where there's need for import, as in the case of wheat, most of which is not grown in Israel ( or grains to feed the animals), diversifying import sources is important. And , indeed, agreements have been signed with more than one country. After all, wheat is our bread - the most basic food!
Food security is seen , and rightly so, as a vital component of national security. Shortage of food, lack of food diversity, rise in prices, can lead to social unrest.
We do have more community gardens here. Especially, in the low income areas. They have funding for more engineering in green houses, and are teaching people in the neighborhoods how to use them. Of course, we haven't got anything in our little town yet, but there are plenty of religious organizations that have gardens you can plant in in many areas. I still wonder how they keep the deer out.
ReplyDeleteWheat is important. Our state is big on corn. Although, I am seeing many crops grown indoors these days because of climate change. At the moment, lots of thunder and rain. I'm glad we do have people who are concerned about these issues, world wide. Such a great topic to post about. And a good looking farmer to end with too.
Good looking farmer - ain't that so?!
DeleteWe don't have enough land suitable for community gardens.
Anyway, potatoes and tomatoes, shouldn't be imported, and they are. Bread, potatoes, eggs , and salad veggies are our essential food items, and they should be given priority in self-sufficiency.
I agree, it's good for countries to be self sufficient where they can be. Food security is more important now than ever for the reasons you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThere are signs we cannot and we should not ignore: conflicts like the one between Ukraine and Russia which affect supply of goods, drought conditions in various parts of the world, rise in prices.
DeleteI agree with you - all countries need to get more self sufficient if they can.
ReplyDeleteMy personal feeling, Sandie, is that by the end of the year, we'll encounter substantial food shortage. I hope I'm wrong on that.
DeleteWith the disturbing news that Chinese interests have purchased quite a lot of U. S. farmland it definitely a threat to our national security. I'm hoping and praying that these companies will be legally removed from our country in the next administration. Food security is vital to any nation's survival.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Duta!
The Chinese have purchased control over our dairy company conglomerate, Tnuva. Now Tnuva is owned by a Shangai-based company which holds, me thinks, 77% of the shares!! That's not what I would call - food security.
DeleteSadly true. And food security here also relates to the sheer cost of eating well. Many simply cannot afford to eat 'real' food. Self sufficiency is an excellent starting place.
ReplyDeleteYour comment, Sue, reminds me of 'Eatingwell com.' - a media company about healthy eating and lifestyles.
DeleteIn our United States, we have a major part of our food production in just a few states. Also, so much of crops such as corn and soybeans are used to feed livestock. Now, with climate change, some of those states are experiencing extensive floods. Others are experiencing extensive droughts. All countries, and all areas of large countries such as the United States, should be concentrating on food security. No one can survive without food.
ReplyDeleteI can sure understand that, Alana. Floodings and Droughts take their tolls. The authorities should start dealing with this, as Climate Change is not joking, it's becoming more disastrous. As you say "no one can survive without food"
DeleteI agree. We worry a lot about food security here. At least, some of us do,
ReplyDeleteClimate Change is a big worry! Perhaps we should concentrate on finding ways to store essential goods like wheat, and other items.
ReplyDeleteFood security is so important in a changing climate.
ReplyDeleteSadly, food is taken for granted, and I'm afraid we're going to be unpleasantly surprised, unless something drastic is done about it.
DeleteI mainly worry about current food insecurity in the working poor. In the summer children don't get subsidized lunches because school's out. And some reactionary governors are even refusing federal funding to feed children over the summer. I keep up donations to our local food pantry to help with the gap.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you, Boud, for your donations to help feed children over the summer!
DeleteClimate change may well be responsible but we need to know exactly what the food supplies need to be protected from. Bush fires, flooding, rodents, droughts, disease?
ReplyDeleteAll of it. We cannot interfere with Climate Change - that's God's domain. We can, however, find ways to grow and secure our food.
DeleteIt's never a good thing when you heavily depend on someone or something. It's like drug which will controls you.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, so, Angie. Addiction of any kind is never a good thing. No good ever comes out from dependence and addiction.
DeleteWe are not too bad as being self-sufficient down here Duta, not all produce is available to us so hence some imported products as in food.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Margaret ! Well, import, is necessary, to a certain, minimal extent, especially in times of crisis.
DeleteWe all need each other. I can't buy local bananas as you cannot buy wheat. When I go shopping to buy tomatoes for example, I will hear in Belgium 'they are Belgian, tomatoes". If I am in Germany they guarantee me that the tomatoes are German, the same in Holland, there are Dutch tomatoes. Finally it makes me laugh. I buy what tastes the best and has no exaggerated prices and I don't care about the country from which it comes.
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa had rented a piece of land to grow vegetables for his family, but these were other times. I don't know from where comes my food here , the Kiwi which I like and eat each day are certainly not from Belgium! I could eat Belgian apples but I prefer other fruits.
All you tell us in your comment, makes sense, Gattina.You buy according to taste and price, not according to the country it comes from.
DeleteHowever, the country has to find ways of making local production a priority.
Having food is very important.
ReplyDeleteOf course it is. It is the fuel on which our body runs, as some people would say.
DeleteWe import lots of fruit and vegetables. It's hard to grow cetain foods due to the amount of rain we get. Our town is looking in to getting a community garden going and that will help too.
ReplyDeleteYes,climate makes it hard to grow certain crops. A community garden might help ,indeed.
ReplyDeleteWe used to buy a lot from Turkey : good stuff, affordable prices, but Ardoan, the leader, has decided to cut off trade relations with us, for political reasons.
Dear Duta...you are so wise in sharing this post. So many people here in the U.S. have the idea that they will just go to the store and buy whatever food they want or need, never considering where the food comes from that they want to purchase at the store. I love it that the phrase "Food Security" has been added to your Ministry of Agriculture's title! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Dianna for your thorough understanding of the food issue. There's more to it han just - 'go to the store and buy whatever items you wish or need'.
DeleteFood security is very important.
ReplyDeleteShortage of food, lack of food diversity, rise in prices, can lead to social unrest.
We do have many here in the UK that rely on food banks.
Some communities have started their own village/town gardens planting and growing their vegetables, which seems a good idea.
All the best Jan
Yes, community gardens are a good idea!
DeleteFood banks also play an important role in food security., and most countries do have food banks.
Recently our local news station has been warning us to be prepared for earthquakes and have water and food and extra medications. I think we are ok, but it is scary to think what would happen if we needed to fend for ourselves for more than a few days...what would we do? I don't think our small town has the capability to take care of it's residents for even a few days. It's a scary thought.
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly sensitive to the food issue, as my Mom has eaten mostly potatoe peels during the Holocaust, and she has lost her tiny girl and a young sister to hunger and disease.
DeleteThings are indeed scary, considering Climate Change is getting hold of the elements.