Give local farmers the help they need in fight against global poverty

THE United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned this week that as many as one billion people across the globe will go hungry this year as a result of the recession, and increasing global food prices.

Amidst the doom and gloom that has engulfed Ireland in recent months, this is a sobering statistic indeed.

The FAO calculates that $30 billion is needed to help the world's poor, and has urged overseas development agencies to invest more in agriculture, to avert the current threat.

At Self Help Africa we believe that increasing local farm production is the key to ending global poverty, once and for all.

In Africa, where poverty and need are greatest, upwards of 80% of the population (approximately 580 million people) rely on small-scale farming for their survival.

Yet international aid to agricultural development has been cut sharply over the past 20 years, and the majority of investment that has taken place into agricultural research and technologies does little to benefit farmers in the developing world.

The current crisis can be overcome by providing small-scale farmers in the developing world with better quality seed, support with sustainable farming practices, improved access to markets, and by recognising and supporting the enormous contribution that women make to farming in the developing world.

In global economic terms the investment that is required is modest — given the potential outcomes that can be achieved.

We hope that the world community will answer the call.

Ray Jordan

Chief Executive

Self Help Africa

Annefield House

Dublin Road

Portlaoise, Co Laois