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People’s Caravan 2004 for Food Sovereignty:
Asserting our Rights to Land and Food
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Update September 29, 2004
- People’s Caravan participants captured by Nepali Maoists!
- Media Statement - Press Conference in Kathmandu
For 30 days this month, the People's Caravan for Food Sovereignty will hold simultaneous resistance and solidarity actions in 13 Asian countries.
Be part of the journey! Join and support the People's Caravan!
People’s Caravan participants captured by Nepali Maoists and burn two of their vehicles
By Susan Loone
About 20 participants of the People’s Caravan traveling through India into Nepal by road were captured by a group of Maoist Insurgents in the early morning of Tuesday, September 28. Two of the three jeeps on which they were traveling, near the local Junge river of Dhading district, about 32km west of Kathmandu around 1am were set aflame with petrol.
The travelers tried to convince the armed group that they were participants of an International event - the People’s Caravan for Food Sovereignty - but the Maoists turned a deaf ear to their plea.
They were then taken out of their vehicles at gun point without being allowed to take their passports and belongings before their vehicles were set ablaze.
Later, the group, who consisted of mostly Indian nationals and one Filipino woman peasant leader were abandoned and rescued by security personnel and taken to the hotel where the other participants were staying.
At a press conference in Lazimpat, Kathmandu today, representatives of the People’s Caravan expressed regret at the violence perpetrated by the Maoists against the participants who were scheduled to attend the Caravan’s culmination program on Wednesday, September 29.
Main organizer Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PAN AP) Executive Director, Sarojeni V Rengam said delegates condemned the action by the rebels which left their participants stranded in "shock and fear" in the middle of nowhere.
"We are concerned about the government’s lack of security in ensuring the safety of travelers in Nepal," said Sarojeni.
"We urge the government to increase security measures and guarantee the safety of representatives of our People’s Caravan in order to ensure the success of our activities," she added.
Although no one was injured, several travelers lost their belongings, which were burnt along with the jeeps.
Later that afternoon. Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khada met with Caravan organizers at the hotel.
He expressed his sincere apologies and regret to the delegates on behalf of the Prime Minister and government of Nepal.
He also gave his assurance of better protection of Caravan delegates in the upcoming events.
The participants were planning to attend an International Conference on Food Sovereignty on September 29 and 30 organized by PAN AP and local farmers groups - All Nepal Peasants Association (ANPA), All Nepal Women Association (ANWA), and South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) – themed "Alternatives to Globalisation".
Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to inaugurate the function at the National Academy Hall, Kamaladi.
Different personalities and dignitaries both national and international will also address the grand conference. At the end of the program, the Caravan delegates will issue a declaration on the issue of food sovereignty.
On September 30th, delegates and participants will celebrate the final day of the Caravan with a rally, where thousands of people will march from Ratnapark in the heart of Kathmandu.
Meanwhile, ANPA chairperson Bam Dev Gautam said the People’s Caravan is an anti-capitalist globalisation movement initiated by the common masses.
"What message are the Maoists giving out by doing such a heinous act – attacking peaceful marchers denouncing anti-imperialist shackles in more than 13 countries of different continents in the world?" asked Bam Dev at the press conference.
"We have scheduled this program one year ago and call upon them to respect the norm of friendship any foreign delegates deserve," he added.
Bam Dev said the local non-governmental organizations were "extremely sorry" for the "irresponsible and shocking act and apologise for such a heinous act that took place in the land of Nepal".
He called on the government to take serious notice of the incident and demanded immediate compensation for all the unnecessary losses accrued upon the foreign delegates.
The People’s Caravan had traveled a long way, about 10,000km across the Asia Pacific, bringing with it three main demands – WTO out of food and agriculture, eliminate pesticides and genetically modified food and resist agrochemical TNCs.
At the same press conference, PAN AP Chairperson and Tenaganita Director, Dr Irene Fernandez spoke of the People’s Caravan which took place in three countries in Europe – France, Belgium and Germany.
According to Irene, the lives of farmers in Europe were also being threatened by large international institutions like the World Trade Organisation.
Irene added that farmers were also suffering due to horticulture, which rice fields are being converted to and this eventually left devastating impressions on farmers.
"In Europe, there is a farm closing down every three minutes," she told reporters at the press conference.
ANWA chairperson Vidya Devi Bhandari spoke about the role of women in Nepal, which she said "is still very marginalised".
"We have a patriarchal society. We find that it is difficult even to work with like-minded male colleagues," she added.
"But we need to establish a female force in society. That is why we are mobilizing more and more women to join events like the People’s Caravan," she stressed.
Media Statement
Press Conference on the People's Caravan for Food Sovereignty
28 September 2004, 3.00pm,
Hotel Gangjong, Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Attended by Nepali and Regional Caravan Organizers:
All Nepal Peasants Association (ANPA), All Nepal Women Association (ANWA),
and South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE),
and the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP)
We, the representatives of the People’s Caravan would like to express our condemnation and utter dismay at the violence perpetrated against our people and supporters travelling in the wee hours of the morning. As the result of the action, two jeeps were set on fire. About twenty of our people were stranded about 32km away from Kathmandu. The participants were on their way to Kathmandu to attend an International conference on Food Sovereignty called the "Alternatives to Globalisation" tomorrow (29 September) and subsequently to a people’s rally on 30th September.
We are concerned about the government’s lack of security in ensuring the safety of travelers in Nepal. We urge the government to increase security measures and guarantee the safety of representatives of our People’s Caravan in order to ensure the success of our conference and rally.
Nevertheless, the culmination program of the People’s Caravan in Kathmandu will go on. For 30 days, we have travelled to 13 countries across South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and 3 countries in Europe. Involving grassroots movements of peasants, women, Dalits, indigenous people, fisher folks, agricultural workers, and supportive NGOs, the Caravan has been asserting peoples rights to food, land and productive resources. The four main demands of the Caravan include safe food which is ecologically produced, to return food and land rights to the people, to take global institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) out of agriculture and to leave the decision making to the food producers themselves.
Tomorrow, The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to inaugurate the function at the National Academy Hall, Kamaladi which begins at 9.00am. Different personalities and dignitaries both national and international will also address the grand conference. At the end of the program, the Caravan delegates will issue a statement/ declaration on the issue of food sovereignty.
On September 30th, from 1pm, delegates and participants will celebrate the final day of the Caravan with a rally, where thousands of people will march from Ratnapark in the heart of Kathmandu.
We invite all media officials to attend the two events mentioned above and thank those who are present for their support to the People’s Caravan for Food Sovereignty.
For more information contact:
Jennifer Mourin, PAN AP, (while in KTM) Room 563, Gangjong Hotel, Tel: 977-443 9888; Premkala Nembang, SAPPE. Tel: 4415 418; Balaram Baskota, ANPA. Tel: 9841-243 060; and Sujita Sakya, ANWA. Tel: 425 8234
Update September 20, 2004
- Huge solidarity for the People’s Caravan in France
- Feature Story - Another Way is Possible!
For 30 days this month, the People's Caravan for Food Sovereignty will hold simultaneous resistance and solidarity actions in 13 Asian countries.
Be part of the journey! Join and support the People's Caravan!
Huge solidarity for the People’s Caravan in France
by Karsten Wolff
From September 15 to 19, the People’s Caravan traversed France, where there were a number of public events as well as meaningful meetings with peasants and representatives of the Confederation Paysanne, one of the largest French Farmers Union. It is part of La Via Campesina, a movement of peasant and farm organisations from all the regions of the world.
On September 15, the Caravan started with a public event in Grenoble, organised by Foodfirst Information and Action Network (FIAN) France. At the "Centre for Nature and Environment", some 50 people gathered to learn more about the Asian struggles for Food Sovereignty and the threats of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Irene and Giovanni addressing the crowd at the "Fiesta of Rural Solidarity"
Photo: PAN AP |
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Ms Irene Fernandez told the audience about the problems that Asian farmers are faced with, where farmers are losing their lands and becoming migrant workers due to the intrusion of corporate agriculture. "It is a shame", she said, "that those people who are producing food are the ones most vulnerable to starvation, since they have no access to land and productive resources."
Dr Giovanni Tapang gave emphasis on the Philippine situation where peasants are confronted with a feudal system and where landlords are collaborating with agrochemical TNCs. Food security of Filipino peasants is again being threatened with the impending cultivation of the genetically modified crop, BB-rice, to happen in September.
Mr Cedric Robany from RONGEAD, a European Network on Agriculture, Food Trade, Environment and Development, explained the situation with the advent of GMOs in France and the growing resistance against it. During the discussion, it turned out that French small-scale farmers are having similar problems as the peasants in Asia. Due to the WTO, the French farmers are also facing competition from corporate agriculture. This situation will be further aggravated by the introduction of GMOs into Europe. Despite this, there is strong resistance to GMOs in France. One action by peasants and activists was to uproot and destroy GE crops planted on 20 trial fields, out of a total of 60 fields.
After a fruitful day of exchanges, a meeting with members of the "Consumer Partnerships for Local Organic Farming" (AMAP) was held the next day in the province of Haute Savoie. AMAP is facilitating local partnerships between a farm and a group of consumers, based on a mutual agreement that the consumers pay in advance to support organic farming. In return, the consumers get a basket of fruits and vegetables from the farm every week. The partnership is quite successful at the local level. However, there is the threat of free trade since products from corporate agriculture are much cheaper than the local products. The small, organic farms in France hardly get any subsidies, since most of the governmental support goes to corporate farming.
Finally, on September 18, the Caravan joined a "Fiesta of Rural Solidarity" at Chateauneuf la Foret, near Limoges, that was jointly organised by Confederation Paysanne and ATTAC, an international network of independent national and local groups that campaigns against the WTO. There were about 50 local farmers, activists and other advocates present when Irene and Giovanni readily shared experiences on the Asian struggle for Food Sovereignty. Similar to previous events, the Convention on the People’s Caravan was also endorsed by the majority of the people there.
Apart from the formal venues of discussions, there were many opportunities for exposure and sharing made possible by discussions with small-scale and organic farmers and by visiting several farms. Most importantly, the realisation was that the struggle is not about Asia being against Europe but rather, small-scale farmers opposing corporate agriculture, worldwide. Organic farmers in France are facing similar problems as the Asian peasantry, although they are not directly threatened by starvation. The right to produce food is threatened here in France, just as well as in Asia.
The European leg of the People’s Caravan will head to Germany to continue the exchanges on various issues and themes on food sovereignty.
Another Way is Possible!
by Jennifer Mourin
For more than 10 days, since September 8, the People’s Caravan has traversed the vast varying landscapes of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to meet small and marginalised farmers, landless labourers, agricultural workers, tribal communities and village and towns-people. Numerous issues have been raised: from pesticide poisonings to Dalit calls for justice; from riverbank sand thefts for commercial sand business to the vital water shortage problems; loss of land to cash crop cultivation and industrial and tourism projects.
The Caravan also involved a large number of communities and groups with a vision of how agriculture and land use should be, in the context of food sovereignty. What follows are two stories of forward thinking sustainable and ecological initiatives that provide concrete proof that another way is possible in defiance of the corporate hype insisting that countries of the South need pesticides, fertilizers and genetic engineering to feed people.
The "Kollangi" Miracle
They told him he was crazy! They all laughed at him when he told them what the group was planning. The villagers, farmers and local officials said that the land the group had chosen was barren and considered to be "waste-land". They could not understand why he wanted to spend hard-earned money buying piece of land that not even a blade of grass wanted to call home.
For Oswald Quintal of the Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA), it began as a campaign to save "scrub" forests from conversion to eucalyptus orchards. After a study on the economics of scrub forests, by the government between 1960 to 1965, these forests were considered non-economic. All over India, these scrub forests were chopped down in favour of large scale eucalyptus cultivation. This was justified by the argument that eucalyptus was needed to feed the pulp wood requirements of the paper industry, and to reduce import of paper pulp from abroad.
At the time, each state was supported by different Northern countries in an initiative called the "Social Forestry Program". Except that there was nothing "social" about the program. It was in fact "anti social" as it drove communities away from the forest and land. It was also damaging to the environment. So began the campaign against eucalyptus cultivation, as these deep rooted trees depleted vast amounts of ground water and food sources which were sacrificed in favour of these introduced species of trees. The campaign against eucalyptus was part of a larger campaign against "Mono-plantations" that were popping up everywhere.
Ossie at the farm which practices water harvesting,
a fast vanishing resource in the state
Photo: J Mourin/PAN AP |
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Oswald, or "Ossie" as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues, and his colleagues from the Kudumbam group were heavily criticized by the Tamil Nadu state government forestry department for their anti-mono-plantation campaign. Officials also challenged Kudumbam that there were no alternatives to offer farmers. Rising to the challenge, the Kudumbam group started developing alternative initiatives such as biodiversity-based community forest initiatives. While successful, the added challenge was the pressure put on forest resources from livestock like cows, which villagers reared. So, together with farmers, a solution was found by growing fodder crops to feed the animals. The program evolved into an agro-forestry initiative in 1986.
This subsequently evolved into the organic agriculture initiative, and the growth of LEISA which has since developed into a network involving more than 10,000 farming families. LEISA undertakes training of NGO field staff on various aspects such as documentation of traditional knowledge, revival and preservation of traditional seed varieties and land use systems, development of techniques to improve soil fertility, documentation of traditional water harvesting systems and alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Earlier in 1982, the group realized that they were only playing a facilitating role. Since farmers are the real scientists working the land, the group realized that these farmer–scientists would not respect the group or their initiatives unless they practiced what they promoted, by having their own farm. So they started practicing what they had documented, on a small scale. The documentation of traditional practices took place all over Tamil Nadu. They then created opportunities for new staff to visit areas in other parts of the country where traditional practices still took place. The idea was to replicate different models on the farm, then undertake training on sustainable land use. Hence the birth of the "Kolangi Ecological Farm".
"Kolangi" is a nitrogen-fixing plant which is indigenous to the state of Tamil Nadu. This plant is extensively used to improve soil fertility. Ossie, along with his colleagues Dr. Gandhirathi and the indomitable organic agriculture practitioner and great teacher, Mr. Namalvar, then got together to buy a piece of land to make their documentation efforts a reality. In 1990, they bought 40 acres of ‘barren’ land at the cost of approximately US $30 per acre which is now worth approximately US $1,500 an acre.
The rise in real estate value of the land was not due to any fancy twin or industrial project as is the norm in Tamil Nadu. Its wealth and value lies in the fact that Kolangi farm is now a piece of land bursting with life. The group identified all the traditional tree species, raised seedlings and planted them on bunds, created and used as natural water harvesting systems. In between, they started multi cropping, with crops including rice, millet, pulses and vegetables (eggplants, lady's finger, cassava, bittergourd, ridgegourd, etc). They also planted 40 different edible leaf species and all kinds of herbal plants like aloe vera, hibiscus and mehendi as fence crops. They have more than 60 different paddy varieties. The land also flourishes with fruit trees like guava, banana, mango, pomegranate and more.
The farm practices water harvesting, with pits, potholes and mini bunds scattered all over the farm. Water has become a fast vanishing resource in the state. The farm also prioritizes soil fertility. As Ossie puts it, "Top soil is the farmers wealth. It must be preserved; lose it and the farmer will face serious problems". Trees of various species are grown to enhance and preserve water and soil on the farm.
Presently the farm also boasts a wealth of livestock, like turkeys, chickens, pigeons, quails, ducks, partridges, goats and cows. The farm is also a home and training center run by a team of 10 staff who live there. There is a School of Ecology, where up to 24 young girls who are either orphaned, or have lost a parent, come to learn about ecological agriculture. This began 7 years ago, and these children have been deeply involved in organic farming, as well as traditional folk dances and martial arts. These girls will be the future team who will run Kudumbam farm. "The oldest girl is now 18 years old and in college, her knowledge of ecological agriculture and food production would challenge a bachelor student any time," Ossie proudly states. In fact according to Ossie, children who have had up to 4 years on the farm have more knowledge than the average graduate student of agriculture.
The philosophy behind the farm is that the farmer will only believe in the alternative if she or he sees it, and it is only then that they will try it since there has been so much hype by the government and industry that chemicals are needed. This farm has been a major contribution to the formation of the LEISA Network, which is 10,000 strong and growing.
After all these years, and all the nay-sayers who laughed at them, Ossie and his team are having the last laugh with the achievements and satisfaction gained. "All these years, not one gram of chemical pesticides and fertilizers have entered this farm", he says with a smile of pure joy lighting up his face!
"Kolangi Ecological Farm" was host to a Food Festival and Public Meeting on September 11, which was well attended by more than 400 people.
Young India for sustainable agriculture
Bhagya knows about struggle. She is 41 years young and has had to survive in a male-dominated world, especially since she lost her husband about 10 years ago. Despite this, Bhagya has a twinkle in her eye and a quick knowing smile, as she has a wealth of knowledge to share during the People’s Caravan.
Bhagya is happy to share the achievements of making a whole new
world of possibilities, a reality through sustainable agriculture.
Photo: J Mourin/PAN AP
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That is because Bhagya too, has taken on the critics and have proven them wrong. In 1983 she, together with her husband, bought over barren land on behalf of the Young India project, which tackles issues such as land struggles, equal wages for labourers, and social justice issues in relation to Dalit and Adivasi (Tribal) people’s movements. It collaborates closely with the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers Union (APVVU).
The Young India farm is 4 kilometers from Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh. It belonged to a small landowner who was not able to make any living from the land as it was considered ‘barren’.
Almost 9 years later, Bhagya is happy to report that the 5 acres of land is far from barren. It now boasts over 12,000 different species of rice, millet, pulses, vegetables, fruits crops and medicinal and herbal plants. The farm is also a training centre, which Bhagya helps to maintain with three other families. Many of the training sessions are held with the APVVU, that focus on awareness raising on landless workers’ rights, land issues, and especially women’s rights to fair wage, land and other resources, as well as training on sustainable land management and agriculture systems.
Bhagya is not intimidated by her decision to live alone and run the farm with her neighbours. Curious about the world, she is happy to share the achievements of taking a piece of land that others had considered useless, and making a whole new world of possibilities, a reality through her miracle of sustainable agriculture.
Update September 17, 2004
Filipino Farmers confront Agriculture officials with Food Sovereignty
issues
by Ilang-Ilang Quijano
On September 16, following a vigil the night before, the People's Caravan
in
the Philippines concluded with Filipino participants conducting a fiery
dialogue with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as they
confronted the government with pressing food sovereignty issues.
About 30 farmer-representatives of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas
from
different regions led by KMP chairperson and Anakpawis Representative
Rafael
"Ka Paeng" Mariano presented a petition to Agriculture Secretary Arthur
Yap
calling for: 1) WTO out of Food and Agriculture; 2) Government subsidy to
local produce and traditional seeds; 3) Stopping the commercialization and
importation of GMOs; and 4) Stopping the massive conversion of
agricultural
lands.
Agriculture officials promised to look into their demands and encouraged
continued advocacy, even while explaining and justifying current
government
policies.
Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher was also present to provide scientific expertise
on
the unsafe technology of genetic engineering, effectively contending the
assurances of DA's technical advisers that GMOs can cause no harm to the
people and environment.
WTO out of Food and Agriculture
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Aside from presenting official statistics on agricultural trade deficit
and
unemployment caused by the Philippine's entry to GATT-WTO since 1994, the
farmers also detailed experiences of rapidly worsening livelihoods that
are
similar across regions.
"Despite the high cost of vegetable gardening, our products are not being
sold because of massive importation," said Apo Mangili, chairperson of
Apit-tako, from the Cordillera region.
Lita Mariano, chairperson of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon,
said that far from being the "rice granary" that it used to be, the whole
of
Central Luzon is now mired into poverty since quantitative restrictions on
rice importation were lifted. "The Philippines, from being a leading rice
producer, became a leading rice importer," said Mariano.
"Laws protecting the coffee and sugar industry in Batangas have become
inutile since WTO", said Gito Bautista, chairperson of Kasama-Timog
Katagalugan. For example, from a high of P600 (USD11.00) per pail of
coffee
in 1995, farmgate prices of local coffee have now been depressed to P75
(USD1.40) per pail.
Fernando Hicap, chairperson of the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, also
complained that 40% of the country's fish supply come from imports.
Meanwhile, coconut farmers from Bicol complained of the low farmgate
prices
of copra (P16/kilo or USD0.28), and the rampant conversion of agricultural
lands into other non-productive uses such as resorts and golf courses.
Give WTO a chance?
For the government's part, Assistant secretary Sigfrid Serrano said that
the
people must support and give WTO another chance, especially now that the
Philippines is part of an alliance of Third World countries lobbying for
more equal playing ground.
He insisted on not pre-judging the WTO because in the event that the
government heeds the farmers' cry and pull out of the talks, they will be
hard-pressed to negotiate alone with each trading partner, since most
countries are now WTO members.
Serrano also conceded that in the last 20 years, the country has not been
self-sufficient in food. He attributed this to the large population that
domestic production alone cannot feed.
In response, Ka Paeng said that food supply is not a problem the world
over
and there is enough food to feed the entire population. He stressed that
the
problem lies in who controls food production, which in the era of
globalization is out of the hands of poor countries and peoples. He also
said that while it is true that the Philippines have been importing rice
before entry into WTO, the WTO significantly contributed to the ballooning
agricultural trade deficit.
"For every $1 that we earn from exports, we lose $8 in imports," Ka Paeng
cited.
Increasing pesticide use
Farmers also complained of the increasing amount of pesticides required by
the high-yielding and hybrid seeds sold in the market and promoted by the
government.
Alfredo Catoto, coordinator for KMP-Cavite said that the lands are almost
sterile because of the chemical inputs applied year after year. Almost 80%
of farmers in Cavite, which is rapidly losing its distinction of being the "food basket" of Greater Manila, now use the hybrid "Gloria Rice" promoted
by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. According to Catoto, "Gloria Rice" uses
even more pesticides than the high-yielding rice varieties. As a result,
snails and fishes that used to thrive in rice paddies are no longer seen.
Worse, farmers develop skin lesions and have their fingernails fall off
because of high pesticide exposure.
In Cagayan Valley, farmers are blaming Monsanto's herbicides for causing
soil erosion, thus the frequency of flash floods in the area.
Farmers bewailed the lack of government support for organic farming, and
their discouragement in using traditional seeds, which they say, have
better
yields, use less or no poisonous chemical inputs, and leave them with more
income.
Precautionary principle pushed aside
Pictures of villagers with grave skin lesions from Baggkao, Isabela, were
then presented. Madonna Castillo, spokesperson of KMP-Isabela, said that
such diseases were caused by Bt corn, which is now dominating the markets
and fields in the province. She added that in the municipality of Ilagan,
villagers vomited and had stomachaches after eating boiled Bt corn.
Dr. Arellano Bernardo, a scientist from the University of the Philippines
Los Baños said that it was next to impossible that the skin lesions shown
in
the pictures were caused by Bt. "There is enough evidence that GMOs are
safe," he said, which again elicited another round of reactions from the
delegates.
Serrano also reacted by saying that the DA would immediately send people
in
the area to investigate the incidents. He said that medical documentation
is
needed in order to determine if the GM crop caused such aberrations, and
that anecdotal evidences won't suffice.
Dr. Steinbrecher suggested to the DA that such anecdotal evidences of
harm,
which have not yet been investigated, is enough to warrant the application
of the precautionary principle contained in the Cartagena Biosafety
Protocol.
"If in doubt, don't do it." she said.
She then launched into scientific evidence of the dangerous mutations
caused
by GMOs, which are usually not included in the risk assessment of
governments. She cited the GM contamination and monocultures emerging in
Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and East Africa. She also debunked the argument
that pesticide use will decrease with GMOs: "They used GM in Canada to
eliminate pesticide use, but the opposite has happened. Pesticide use in
GM
crops in Canada has increased three-fold because the pests have developed
triple resistance."
Dissenting opinions from the delegates arose when Dr. Saturnino Halos, DA
technical adviser, said that genetic engineering is no different from
traditional mutational breeding, and that poverty is associated with
traditional varieties, which only yield up to 30 cavans (1,500 kilograms)
per hectare.
A farmer from Batangas immediately spoke up and said that traditional
varieties consistently yield up to 100 cavans per hectare, more than what
the HYVs eventually yield after years of use.
Finally, DA officials said that they are not pushing GMOs down the throats
of farmers, and that they are merely providing them with a choice.
Castillo insisted that in Isabela, farmers have no choice because that is
what is available and what the traders and the local government insist on. "Those who opt not to plant Bt nevertheless have their fields contaminated
because of cross-pollination," she said.
The DA official said that they will do their best to conduct
investigations
on GM contamination in specific areas, but warned that the evidence must
be
overwhelming in order to overturn an existing government policy. The DA
also
promised to come up with solutions that would be suitable for all
stakeholders.
The dialogue ended with the farmers reiterating their call to control
food,
agriculture and other natural resources, which they say are being eroded
mainly by WTO and agrochemical companies.
Peasants hold protest in front of the DA's office as the dialogue
continues.
People's Caravan enters Chiangmai on the 16th day!
By Susan Loone
No to pesticides!
No to GMOs!
Reduce imports on pesticides!
Care for human health and the environment!
These were the urgent calls of the People's Caravan, which arrived in
Chiangmai yesterday.
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The Caravan opened with a youth performance on the harmful effects of
pesticide usage held at the Dara Academy, one of the top education
institutions in the city. It was co-organised by local groups such as the
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Communities, Northern Alternative
Agriculture Network, Northern Peasant Federation, Northern Development
Foundation and several schools in the region.
The Chiangmai Caravan theme focused on "Policy of reduction of hazardous
chemical substances for agricultural production in Chiang Mai province".
The
province's Vice-Governor opened the event, which included an awards
presentation to students who participated at the painting and web design
competition.
About 300 people including students, farmers, teachers and NGO
representatives attended the one-day session that concluded with a
Declaration on Food Sovereignty. The two-page declaration was handed over
to
Chiangmai's President of Provincial Administration, Mr. Tawadchai.
There were also presentations from Ms. Jutamart Jaikham of the Northern
Peasant Federation and PAN AP, discussing the "Situation on use of
synthetic
chemicals in agriculture and its impact on human health in Thailand and
other countries".
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Ms Jutamart informed the participants about the extent of pesticide usage
in
Thailand. Pesticides worth an estimated BHT9 billion (USD225 million) are
being imported into the country, with about 169 importers, 77 company
distributors, 501 wholesalers and 4,500 retailers. The market is
controlled
by big multinationals such as Bayer, Monsanto and Syngenta. Although 82
chemicals have been banned in Thailand, the consumers and various NGOs are
relentlessly campaigning for an additional 12 dangerous poisons to be
completely cleared from the market. "Because, according to statistics, one
in four persons in Thailand are affected by dangerous chemicals", she
disclosed.
Likewise, PAN AP representative Ms Susan Loone presented several pictures of the victims of pesticide poisoning. The students, who had never before seen victims of paraquat, cringed at the sight of women sprayers in palm oil plantations. When asked if they thought pesticides were harmful, they answered with a resounding, "Yes!", and agreed conclusively that the Thai government should ban pesticides in their country. Ms Loone then stressed to them that, "The Paraquat ban starts with you!"
| A farmer handing over the Declaration on Food Sovereignty to Provincial Administration President, Mr. Tawadchai |
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Later in the day, two small workshops were held, one titled "Food
security,
food sovereignty, alternatives for use of agro-chemicals in sustainable
agriculture systems" and the other, on "Ways to solve problems, and
cooperations between farmers and consumers on different levels". The
issues
raised at the discussion, which called for more concern on health and the
environment, were also submitted to Mr Tawadchai.
Participants at the Caravan were also shown a video documentary on human
fertility by the Family Planning Association of Thailand. An exhibit on
the
dangers of pesticides was put up outside the auditorium. Also, an open
market showcased traditionally and organically grown vegetables.
Feature Story
Farmers at Chiangmai People's Caravan are proud to practice sustainable
agriculture
by Susan Loone
Farmers who attended the workshop on "Food Security, Food Sovereignty,
Alternatives for use of agro-chemicals in sustainable agriculture systems" with the People' Caravan in Chiangmai, Thailand on September 16, expressed
unanimously their satisfaction with practising sustainable agriculture.
The farmers, mostly women, said that by keeping in mind how important food
security and sovereignty is, they could provide for, and ensure their
family's health and lifestyle.
They have found ways to reduce or eliminate altogether, the use of
pesticides by using indigenous and traditional methods like applying
herbal
preparations on vegetables for pest control. These alternative methods
come
from their ancestors, and have proven to be effective in ensuring that
vegetables on their farms remain free from insects.
Neng, one of the women farmers "felt proud" that she has become a
"responsible farmer". "Now I live comfortably with my family, my
conscience
is clear and in the process, I also protect consumers," she added.
Lan, another woman farmer, occupies a piece of land that was abandoned.
The
land belongs to some rich people in Chiangmai. "But I occupy the unused
land
to do farming, instead of leaving it empty and unproductive," she said.
Later, while presenting the report from the workshop before the closing of
the day's event, a representative from the NPF (Northern Peasant
Federation)
said that food sovereignty does not only mean enough food to eat but is
also
how we control different aspects of food production. "This includes how we
can promote non-contaminated seeds which are reproduced by farmers without
being dictated otherwise, by big corporations," she said. "If farmers have
the power to manage their own forms of sustainable agriculture, they can
also sustain their own families and communities," she added. "Farmers must
have a hand in the distribution of food, and not allow it to be
monopolised
by transnational corporations (TNCs)," she stressed.
Update September 16, 2004
People's Caravan in Rajasthan
by Sarojeni V. Rengam
"Local food is local wisdom! Local foods are healthy and are good for
you",
chanted more than 300 school children who had joined the People's Caravan
in
Malpura in Rajasthan. The children between the ages of 6 to 14 joined the
representatives of the People's Caravan 2004, together with more than a
thousand local farmers, women and local NGOs/CSOs to march through Malpura
on September 15. Drum beating and songs of protest accompanied the
marchers.
After a three-kilometer march, the Caravan reached the meeting grounds
where
a public meeting was held.
The Chair of the Kesan Seva Samitri or Farmers Group of Malpura, Mr
Kailash
Gujar informed the crowd that the issues being addressed were real issues
impacting the people of Rajasthan. "Liberalisation is affecting our
farmers.
We are faced with competing with subsidized goods being dumped here by
developed countries and Indian farmers are being badly affected by it", he
said. He added that, "The price of milk is going down and the dairy
farmers
are unable to survive in this situation". He also said that, "Companies
that
are coming from outside to promote hybrid seeds and chemicals are
enslaving
us".
Mr Devendra Shukla, the coordinator of the People's Caravan 2004 in North
India, highlighted the journey of the Caravan in North India from the
states
of Punjab to Uttranchal. He noted that in each of the states (Punjab and
Haryana), the issue of pesticides which has emerged as a growing menace
should be stopped.
The Chair of the Malpura's panchayat, the local administrative body,
called
for a resolution not to use pesticides and to use organic compost as
fertilizers. There was huge applause from the participants to this call.
Traversing approximately 300 kilometres, a convoy of eight jeeps and vans
traveled from Jaipur to Jhalawar stopping in numerous villages and towns
to
advocate the message of food sovereignty.
| Caravaners meet the Vice-President of India. |
|
The previous day, representatives from the Caravan met with the
Vice-President of India, Mr Bhero Singh Shekhawat, at his residence in
Jaipur to share the objectives of the People's Caravan. The Chair of
CECOEDECON, Justice Vinod Shankar Dave also presented his message on the
significance of the People's Caravan journeying through Asia and parts of
Europe. Likewise, the Vice-President of India spoke at length on his
viewpoints concerning the dangers of pesticides; that it not only affects
the health of people but also of animals and wild life. On the issue of
the
World Trade Organisation (WTO), India, being a signatory, cannot possibly
withdraw from its commitment to the organization. However he added, "We
can
change (it) to address the needs of farmers."
Ms Sarojeni V. Rengam, Executive Director of PAN AP, expressed gratitude
to
the Vice-President's sharing of views on the impact of pesticides and
called
on him to ensure that India would move towards pesticide reduction. On the
other hand, she stated that India's policies should not be dictated by
international bodies such as the WTO and World Bank, as this is the danger
that comes with globalisation. "The Caravan is calling for decision making
by small farmers and food producers on food and agriculture as part of the
rights enshrined within food sovereignty", she emphasized.
On the same day, farmers and government officials held a public meeting
with
the Minister and Vice-Chair of the Twenty-Point Economic Programme
Implementation Committee of the Government of Rajasthan. Farmers and
Caravaners spoke strongly on the impact of WTO agreements on small farmers
and called for India's independence from the clutches of the US and the
European Union. Also, the dangers of pesticides and chemical fertilizers
were highlighted, as farmers shared the "how-to's" of organic compost and
natural pest management.
Aside from the meetings, the Caravan was able to visit two colleges in
Jaipur to share on the diverse issues of food sovereignty. Savitha Sharma
of
CECOEDECON appreciated the time allotted by the students to listen to the
Caravan's message. She also mentioned the significance of the youth sector
being the leaders of the future and their need to understand the farmers'
concerns. "These issues affect all of us and should be taken up
concertedly
and immediately", she added.
The day ended with a drama presentation on the effects of pesticides by
the
cultural troupe of the People's Caravan consisting of young people from
different states of India.
Philippine Rice Farmers Denounce Rice Institute
By Gilbert Sape
| Serving the farmers, caring for the environment? |
|
Filipino rice farmers in the province of Nueva Ecija staged a peaceful
protest in front of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on
September 15, demanding the phase out of hybrid rice which the Institute
is
aggressively promoting and distributing.
"Hybrid rice promotes farmers dependency on chemical inputs that are
harmful
to human health and the environment" declared Danilo Ramos, Secretary
General of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Philippine Peasant Movement),
the biggest and most progressive peasant organisation in the country.
"Contrary to the claim of PhilRice that it serves the interest of farmers,
it actually protects the interests of agrochemical transnational
corporations (TNCs) because hybrid rice promotes heavy use of pesticides
and
commercial fertilizers", asserts Ramos. Rice farmers who attended the
protest claim that a farmer needs up to 50 kilograms of pesticides per
hectare of hybrid rice.
Nueva Ecija, about 260 kilometres north of Manila, is known as the rice
bowl
of the Philippines. Consequently, it has one of the largest number of
users
of chemical farm inputs, which is used to speed-up productivity, in the
country. "Most Filipino farmers do not own their land and their dependency
on chemical farm inputs result in perpetual indebtedness, deficit and
extreme poverty," explains one farmer who used to grow hybrid rice but has
reverted to conventional farming. Several farmers who participated in the
protest have also shifted back to traditional varieties and practice
ecological agriculture.
Farmers claim that hybrid rice displaces traditional rice varieties
(TRVs),
which are becoming endangered in the Philippines. With dependency on
hybrid
rice, monopoly and control of rice seeds by TNCs are inevitable. Farmers
also fear that the entry of genetically modified rice in the country will
further diminish TRVs.
Established in 1985, PhilRice is the national agency for planning,
implementing and monitoring of all rice research and development (R&D)
activities in the country, including the promotion of high-yielding
varieties for different rice-growing areas. It is the local rice centre of
the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which is also
headquartered in the country. PhilRice is heavily criticised by farmers
because it promotes the use of technologies that are hazardous to human
health and the environment, and negatively impacts farmers in their right
to
practice safe and sustainable agriculture.
The protest action is part of the People's Caravan leg in the Philippines.
Farmers who staged the protest are part of the contingent travelling from
the north of the country to Manila to meet with the farmers from the
south.
A series of protest actions are taking place all over the country and are
expected to culminate on September 16 with a dialogue with officials from
the Department of Agriculture to relay their concern regarding hybrid
rice,
the proliferation of genetically engineered crops and the impact of WTO on
Filipino farmers.
Update September 14, 2004
Route 3:
- People's Caravan takes off in Southern Philippines with Forum on Pesticides, Globalisation and Food Sovereignty
- People's Caravan strengthens social movements in China
For 30 days this month, the People's Caravan for Food Sovereignty will hold
simultaneous resistance and solidarity actions in 13 Asian countries.
People’s Caravan marches into the Philippines!
The People’s Caravan for Food Sovereignty 2004, which is in its 14th day journey in Asia and Europe, has made its way to the Philippines, with events simultaneously taking place in several parts of Luzon and Mindanao. Main highlights include a big vigil and then a mass mobilisation of people’s movements on the 16th with protests in front of the US Embassy. There will also be forums and seminars on the Caravan issues such as the right to land and food and the call for international and financial institutions like the WTO, IMF and World Bank to get out of Agriculture.
As part of the People’s Caravan 2004, a coalition of people’s organisations, NGOs, individuals, and banana plantation community residents participated on Sunday, September 12th, in a forum on Pesticides, Globalisation and Food Sovereignty sponsored by CAUSE-DS, NAMADDS, PANAP and PAN Philippines.
In his welcome address and introduction to the forum, Mr. Renato Pacaide, Chairperson of the peasant group NAMADDS, emphasised the significance of the People’s Caravan in galvanizing an effective people’s response in various countries to the onslaught of globalisation that undermines the welfare of peasants and destroys the indigenous and life sustaining systems in developing countries. "We must assert the people’s right to land without poisons and expose and oppose the exploitation and destruction perpetuated by transnational corporations and the imperialist countries", Mr. Pacaide said.
Dr Romeo Quijano explains the hazards of pesticides
at the People's Caravan forum on September 12th
Photo: PAN Philippines |
|
Dr. Romeo Quijano, President of PAN Philippines and Professor at the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines then explained the adverse health and environmental effects of pesticides, particularly on vulnerable communities located near banana plantations, that are exposed to various highly toxic pesticides, which are also aerially sprayed. "Pesticides kill not only insects but also people and other living organisms", Dr. Quijano said. "Many pesticides used in banana plantations destroy the immune and reproductive systems, the endocrine system, various organs, including the brain, and can cause various forms of cancer", Dr. Quijano added.
For his part, Mr. Romeo Guevara, coordinator of the national peasant organisation KMP in the Far South region, gave a lively and comprehensive discussion of globalisation and food sovereignty, with many visual aids. "We must understand the historical, economic and socio-political roots of the extreme hardships that we are experiencing now", said Mr. Guevara. He stressed that the producers of food must have control of the land they till and must be empowered to exercise food sovereignty.
"In summary, the basic problems of a society such as ours today can be identified as foreign domination and exploitation, or imperialism, concentration of wealth and land resources by the landowning class, or feudalism, and graft and corruption of members of the ruling elite in the government, or bureaucrat capitalism", Mr. Guevara concluded.
After the forum, a press conference was held, attended by six members of the local print and broadcast media. CAUSE-DS announced that a follow-up activity will be held the following day with posters and streamers hanging in the streets, called "Operation Sabit" or Operation Hanging (of streamers)". "This is to dramatize the issues being put forward by the People’s Caravan 2004", said Mr. Pacaide.
People’s Caravan strengthens social movements in China
By Susan Loone
Caravaners and local participants in Kunming, China
Photo: PAN AP |
|
One of the highlights of the People’s Caravan for Food Sovereignty in China was the close cooperation between individuals, non-government organisations and government officials. When the People’s Caravan arrived in China on September 7th, more than 20 NGOs, together with academics and students, attended a two-day seminar on Pesticide Risks and Sustainable Agriculture, organised by PAN AP and PEAC (Pesticide Eco-Alternative Center Yunnan Thoughtful Action), the local Chinese Caravan host.
The most interesting observation by the foreign resource persons was that representatives who attended the program in Kunming were mostly young people – women and men - whose ages range from 22-30 years. They represented Yunnan-based NGOs such as Greenpeace, Green Watershed, Eco-Women, Guizhou Highland Development Institute, Botanic Protected Station, Friends of Nature and The Nature Conservancy. The academics and students came from the Southwest Forest College, Yunnan Normal University and Agricultural University.
Their voices were refreshing, energetic and promising. In a challenging political environment where people’s movements such as street protests are restricted, PEAC had made extra effort to bring the groups together.
According to its steering council director Professor Kuang Rong-ping, despite the modernisation process that is sweeping rapidly over China, as can be seen in the number of shopping malls mushrooming all over Kunming, PEAC continues to be worried about farmer and consumer awareness of the risks that pesticides present to human health, the environment and biodiversity.
"There can be no success without cooperation," he believes. "To be successful, the government, farmers and consumers must work together to reduce pesticide use," he said. "I emphasise cooperation among these parties, as well as the contribution of experts and scientists. Clearly, China’s pesticide problem is not just technical, but a social, legal, and policy related question," he added.
Professor Kuang is determined to see young people get involved and succeed in the fight against pesticides through PEAC and other like-minded NGOs. PEAC’s International projects assistant and farmer training officer Yan Mei is a fine example of Kuang’s vision for the future.
Yan Mei, who joined PEAC in September 2001, said that she knew nothing about pesticides before joining the organisation. "But as I started working, I realised I was doing significant work for the farmers and rural communities and which also helps me to understand rural China", she said. Now she thoroughly enjoys her life with PEAC, learning more and more about pesticides, sustainable agriculture, the environment and ecology; doing fieldwork and mingling with farmers and agricultural producers and workers. "Communication with farmers is what I enjoy the most; talking to them and listening to their stories about everyday life. They are not backward as many people think. They are very intelligent, and they know how to survive, but they face huge problems trying to find their place in modern society," she said. "I feel passionate about helping them. I know there are ways we can help them, and I am excited about it. It motivates me," she explained, her youthful face brimming with satisfaction as she talked about her work.
For more information and pictures - please visit: www.panap.net/caravan/mediareleases.cfm
***************************************************************
PAN - Asia and the Pacific
P.O. Box 1170,10850 Penang, Malaysia
Tel:604-6570271/6560381 Fax:604-6583960
Web: www.panap.net
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