The 2nd African Organic Conference – Mainstreaming ... - ICROFS

2 nd AFRICAN ORGANIC CONFERENCE 2012
May 2-4, 2012 in Lusaka, Zambia
ORGANIC&PRODUCTION&AND&AGROECOLOGY&PRACTICES&AND&&
INDIGENOUS&PEOPLES&RIGHTS&IN&SOUTH&AFRICA&&&
THIERRY ALBAN REVERT 1 AND LIESL HASBROOK 2
1 NOPI (South Africa) Afrikara Cooperative
2 BDAASA (South Africa) Afrikara Cooperative
tar@planetac.co.za and liesl@bdaasa.org.za
Abstract
Organic Production and Agroecology Practices (OPAP) are the essence of traditional agriculture and has
been practiced from the onset of the agrarian age. Indigenous people defined by the UNHRC are referred as
a local population which is the foundation of a tribal or ethnic culture and occupy a defined territory. In
Africa, indigenous people are the main custodian of land, neighbouring with „ colonized“ land owned by
private individuals or companies. Indigenous People Rights have been signed by all countries in the world
only in October 2010.
The relationship between indigenous people and organic agriculture make them inseparable. Small
traditional farmers are responsible for the feeding of 2/3 of the planet and are not subject to any market
based organic certification system, and are not accounted in national economic statistics as determined by
GDP formulae, and referred to as “the informal sector”
Indigenous People of the World gathered in 2010 in Cochabamba (Bolivia) to counter the debacle of COP
15 Copenhagen, to produce another fundamental element of world’s jurisprudence: The Rights of Nature
now tabled for discussion at the UNHRC.
Another key report from the UNHRC on the Right to Food is outlining the importance of Organic
production and Agroecology Practices.
The interconnectedness of the Indigenous Peoples Rights and the Rights of Nature with the principles of
Organic Agriculture and Agroecology Practices forms the base for the reconstruction of the Rural, periurban
and inner city sustainable agriculture in South Africa.
The National Organic Produce Initiative (NOPI) is designed to set up cooperative structures which use
transfer of skills, artisan training, education, coaching and mentoring for small scale farmers as the
foundation for subsistence farming, evolving to surplus to supply local markets.
&SUPPORTING&SUSTAINABLE&INNOVATIONS&FOR&ENHANCED&FOOD&SECURITY:&THE&
BETTER&U&FOUNDATION’S&SRI&INITIATIVE&IN&MADAGASCAR&
WINIFRED FITZGERALD AND RAMES ABHUKARA
Abstract
This paper/case study will review the Better U Foundation’s efforts to promote the dissemination of the
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Madagascar among small, rural farmers with the goal of enhancing
families’ food security and improving their livelihoods while also contributing to the protection of the
environment. These efforts are supported by four inter-related, mutually reinforcing strategies: (1)
supporting marginalized and vulnerable groups; (2) working with partners that have experience in rural
development and conservation efforts; (3) building on existing resources, capacities and infrastructure in
order to move forward with SRI activities in a flexible, swift manner and to maximize the value-added of
the Foundation’s investments; and, (4) advancing our understanding of SRI through collaborative learning
and exchange.
The effectiveness of these four strategies is reinforced in two important ways: (1) promoting dialogue and
dissemination about SRI in Madagascar across different players, and (2) fostering linkages and
partnerships. In promoting partnerships between and among civil society organizations, the public sector,
multi and bi-lateral donors and other development actors, the BUF’s program in Madagascar encourages
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BOOK OF ABSTRACTS