West Cape News (Cape Town)
Steve Kretzmann
19 June 2009
Tired of seeing prices for their crops undercut by US and European producers who receive billions of dollars in government subsidies each year, African governments appear to increasingly favour implementing their own subsidies.
The message from state representatives from numerous African countries attending the AgriBusiness Forum 2009 held in Somerset West which ran from Sunday to Wednesday this week, was that international donor demands for 'free markets' no longer held sway in the face of a drive for an African 'green revolution'.
And they were being backed by international agricultural development NGOs, with even private Agribusiness companies seemed to accept the logic.
Speaking during a press interview at the forum, which was attended by about 400 high-level international government and private sector delegates, Uganda's state minister for Agriculture, Bagire Henry, said: "The US and Europe are saying 'don't subsidise' and (yet) they (continue) subsidising (their own farmers), why? The World Bank is saying 'don't subsidise', we're telling them 'you go away, this is our country'."
Henry said in a push to develop export crops and increase yields, farmers were being merged into co-operative groups to create economies of scale and his ministry was also identifying farmers who engaged best practice in the farming of export crops, providing technical input and subsidising their farming practices.
Henry said Uganda had already started subsidising 30 000 farmers who headed up identified agricultural nodes in Uganda's parishes.
He said a further 30 000 farmers would receive subsidies this year and the numbers would increase until there would soon be "a million farmers" receiving state subsidies.
He said Uganda was spending $70 million annually through the National Agriculture Advisory Services in order organise small holder farmers and provide extension services.
The African statesmen may be emboldened by Malawi's success over the last four years in substantially increasing their maize yields through government subsidies to reduce farmers' costs for fertilizers and high-yielding seed.
The UN Department of Public Information publication 'African Renewal' reported that within the first season Malawi's maize harvest more than doubled, to 2.7 mn tonnes.
"It rose again in 2007 to 3.4 mn tonnes - enough to feed the nation and sell 400,000 tonnes to the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) and hundreds of thousands of tonnes more to neighbouring countries, generating $120 mn in sales. The formerly aid-dependent country even donated 10,000 tonnes of maize to the WFP's nutrition programme for people living with HIV/AIDS," reported Michael Fleshman in the online publication.
President of the Kenyan-based Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Namanga Ngoni, said: "Only in Africa is the word subsidy a sin."
Ngoni said targeted subsidies could be used to reduce the costs of production for farmers having to compete in world markets skewed by their European and US counterparts.
However, Director of the Rainman Landcare Foundation Raymond Auerbach said wholesale subsidies were not the answer.
Auerbach said subsidies were needed but should perhaps rather be targeted at farmers who engaged in best practice models.
Another way to do it, he said, would be to penalise farmers who were using inefficient or polluting agricultural practices, rather than handing out subsidies which would distort the market.
He said one ways to get around the demands of donors and the World Bank would be to simply find another word for subsidies.
"If we can find another word for it perhaps the WTO would not have such a problem with it."
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Picture an old drug addict, whose life has been mauled by a habit he can't kick, advising a younger man not to take up drugs! The people called conservatives in the USA have been fighting to prevent and get rid of subsidies for well over 100 years, with no positive effect. To phase a subsidy out usually requires another subsidy. The current "economic meltdown" is the result of subsidizing loans so that people who could not afford them could get them, and were encouraged to do so. To subsidize business of any kind is to cast in concrete policies that will certainly become obsolete over time. Tarriffs, while they have many of the same economic problems, are at least relatively easy to dismantle.
I was glad and encouraged to learn that African countries are finally looking out for themselves araher than bowing to the desires and economic games of the US and Europe. I would disagree with the author on one point: who cares if the World Bank does not like the word, subsidies. It is what it is. Africa should be for Africa. That's the only way it will grow and develop. Sub-Saharan Africa should be no more apologetic than China, Japan, or India are for their progressive moves in the world markets. God bless Africa.
Bagire Henry has made some good point, and has shown great courace in pointing out, the double standards of foreigners, telling the Africans how to go about feeding themselves now that they have come to their senses. Sustainable development being the objective, it must never be forgotten that in the end only about 5% of a countrys' agriculturalists are farmers. Or that the importation of foods, for others nations have any long term future. May devil drive.
Bagire Henry has made some good points, and has shown great courage in pointing out, the double standards of foreigners, telling the Africans how to go about feeding themselves now that they have come to their senses. Sustainable development being the objective, it must never be forgotten that in the end only about 5% of a countrys' agriculturalists are farmers. Or that the importation of foods, for others nations have any long term future. May devil drive.
INDEPENDENT FARMERS’ UNION IDEA
I'm an entrepreneurial sort of person and I got an idea along those lines that I believe many of us who are grassroots thinkers have been overlooking.
So here goes my idea :
a) We have all kinds of Farmers and Farms that are struggling to make a profit. I believe that they are struggling because they are farming under a kind of Third World system that advantages the persons who convert what farmers produce.
b) In most Third World countries , the First & Second World countries will only build enough infrastructure to allow shipment of RAW MATERIALS from their source(s) to the modes of shipping transportation used to transport the RAW MATERIALS to those First & Second World countries that will turn the RAW MATERIALS into processed goods.
* For example - They will build a railroad line of tracks from some Third World country's gold and diamond mines ( e.g. Zaire ) to the Giant Ships docked and waiting to carry them to processors and sellers such as De Beers, Coca-Cola , Cadbury's etc..
c) What kinds of RAW MATERIALS do Farmers produce and/or have access to :
* Gold - Rice , Cocoa ,Mangos, etc…
d) Major Problems stopping small farmers from taking advantage of the possibility of turning your products into a profitable business : LACK OF TIME
e) Solution - My Idea : Form an Independent Union Of Farmers . Having a Coop is great, but it’s only a way of further enriching the processors of our RAW MATERIALS.
* How would this work ?
1) Each Region would represent a chapter of this Independent Farmers Union
2) Generally speaking, each farmer would retain all of their rights ; just as they had before they joined the Independent Farmers Union .
3) The Independent Farmers Union would be finance collectively by individual members paying dues.
4) These dues which would be used to set-up business ventures in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
Some Examples Of Businesses That could be set up
* Chicken Processing Plant, and restaurants that would sell the chickens could be supplied right their in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
* Produce Markets
* Dairies
* Ice Cream Parlors (using fresh milk)
* Fast Food and/or Restaurants - featuring meat from various farm animals
* Supermarkets
* Chocolate Processors – instead of giving your cocoa to companies like Cadbury’s. What do companies like DeBeers, Coca Cola,Cadbury’s and others have that entitles them to get rich off of our Natural wealth ? NOTHING.. We empower them by our economic laziness !!!
5) The Independent Farmers Union's would need persons with expertise in areas concerning the setting up and running of these businesses on behalf of the Independent Farmers Union's.
WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!
THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !
HERE’S SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT BLACK AFRICANS HAVE DONE :
BLACK AFRICAN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS
The type of Invention is capitalized (e.g. TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MOTOR, etc..)
We Black Africans Can Be Self-Sufficient . Here are some major Black Africans who have had an impact on the world With their initiative These are INVENTORS .
This Listing includes The Inventor’s Name, Their Invention and in some cases the date the invention was recognized and the invention’s U.S. patent number.
* Sarah Boone - IRONING BOARD - April 26, 1892
* John A. Burr - LAWN MOWER
* Marie V. Brittan Brown - HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Dec 2, 1969
* Buridge & Marshman - TYPEWRITER
* George Carruthers - X-RAY MACHINE
* George Washington Carver - PEANUT BUTTER - PAINTS – PAINT STAINS – ETC
* John Clark - TRACK ATHLETE TRAINER
* W.A. Dietz - SHOE
* Joseph Dickinson - PLAYER PIANO - ARM FOR RECORD PLAYER
* P.B. Downing - POSTAL LETTER BOX
* Charles R. Drew - BLOOD PLASMA STORAGE SYSTEM
* T. Elkins - TOILET (COMMODE)
* Robert Flemming Jr. - GUITAR
* Cathleen McCoy Garrett SIREN - HORN LIGHT INDICATOR
* George F. Grant - GOLF TEE
* J. Gregory - MOTOR
* Joanna Hardin - KEYBOARD STAND - Feb 23, 1993
* Michael Harney - LANTERN
* Solomon Harper - THERMO(HEATED) HAIR CURLERS
* Augustus Jackson - ICE CREAM
* B.F. Jackson - GAS BURNER
* H.A. Jackson - KITCHEN TABLE
* Ruane Jeter - DIGITAL TOASTER - April 14, 1987
* Isaac R. Johnson - BICYCLE FRAME
* John A. Johnson - WRENCH
* Lonnie Johnson - SUPER SOAKER WATERGUN
* P. Johnson - EYE PROTECTOR (GOGGLES)
* W. Johnson - EGG BEATER
* Frederick M. Jones - DEFROSTER - REFRIGERATION CONTROLS – AIR CONDITIONER
* Jones & Long - BOTTLE CAPS
* John H. Jordan - CLOTHES DRESSER
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (TAMPONS) - May 15, 1956
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (WATERPROOF) - April 14, 1959
* Mary B. Kenner - BATHROOM TISSUE HOLDER - Nov 19, 1982
* Mary B. Kenner - BACKWASHER ( BATHTUB OR SHOWER MOUNTED) - July 29,1987
* Lewis Latimer & Nichols - ELECTIC LAMP
* W.A. Lavalette - PRINTING PRESS
* F.W. Leslie - ENVELOPE SEAL
* Maurice W. Lee PRESSURE COOKER
* A.L. Lewis - WINDOW CLEANER
* John L. Love - PENCIL SHARPENER
* Tony J. Marshall - FIRE EXTINGUISHER
* Alexander Miles - ELEVATOR
* Jan E. Matzeliger - SHOE LASTING MACHINE
* W.A. Martin - LOCK
* Garrett A. Morgan - GAS MASK - Traffic Signal
* Lydia Newman - HAIR BRUSH - Nov 15, 1898
* Alice H. Parker - HEATING FURNACE - Dec 23, 1919
* J.F. Pickering - AIR SHIP (BLIMP)
* Purdy & Sadgwar - FOLDING CHAIR
* W.B. Purvis - FOUNTAIN PEN
* L.P. Ray - DUST PAN
* W.H. Richardson - BABY BUGGY
* Walter Sammons - PRESSING COMB
* G.T. Sampson - CLOTHES DRYER
* Dewey Sanderson - URINALYSIS MACHINE
* Ralph Sanderson - HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER
* S.R. Scottron - CURTAIN ROD
* Adolph Shamms - MULTI -STAGE ROCKET
* .W. Smith - LAWN SPRINKLER
* Richard B. Spikes - AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT
* J. Standard - REFRIGERATOR
* T.W. Stewart - MOP
* Maxine Snowden - RAIN HAT - 1983
* Theora Stephens - PRESSING & CURLING IRON
* Rufus J. Weaver - STAIR -CLIMBING WHEELCHAIR
* Paul E. Williams - HELICOPTER
* J.B. Winters - FIRE ESCAPE LADDER
* Granville T. Woods - Telephone System Apparatus Oct 11, 1887 – Patent # 371, 241
* Granville T. Woods - Roller Coaster
* Granville T. Woods - Auto Air Brake - June 10, 1902 - Patent # 701, 98
* Granville T. Woods - Telegraph Transmission Devices - Dec 2, 1884 Patents # - 308, 816 (7)
* Thanks to The Black Inventors Museum *
* Address : P.O. Box 76128 - Los Angeles , Calif. (90076)
* Phone (310) 859-4602)
* Director : Ghanaian Mr. Hamza Salifa
* Major Contributor of Information : SEESTAH Imahkus Nzinga Okofo
[This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie “Coach Carter ”]
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesn’t Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Won’t Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
It’s Not Just In Some Of Us; It’s In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
- Marianne Williamson -
[NOTE – BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WON’T STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
TRUTHSEEKERS MOUNT UP !
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com]
Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6
Excellent articles that has some specifics, thereby avoiding the trap of Africa....this...Africa that...That kind of writing especially from CAPE TOWN renders many commentators redundant and useless. To be sure, it is not all African countries. As correctly pointed out, it was Malawi that started this process and also went against western approach towards Africa. One African country did it, under much critisism, and then another African state followed and so on and on. The mistake for most anglo white writers on the Continent is to try and write about a continent, and not individual countries. Success in the continent of AFRICA really is by one country at a time. Countries lead and not continents.
CAPE TOWN, is so removed from the rest of the AFRICAN CONTINENT, that I for one would like more main stream African writers to commente more often, then only capetown, which is so-white, so far removed that one wonders what life so-called