Biodiversity day 2010 is very dear to the franciscans around the world, much more to those living in Africa where the effects of climate change and loss of biodiversity are under the eyes of all. Some present as a solution to poverty alleviation the growth and dispensation of Genetically Modified Organisms. The JPICFA office wondered if that was a viable solution to ensure food security in Africa. Helped with the reflections of Mr. Samuel Karanja Muhunyu of the Network for Ecofarming in Africa - kenya Chapter (NECOFA), 59 franciscans and friends of St Francis (christians of other denominations and muslims) were enlighten on the importance of sustainable agriculture, protection and preservation of local seeds. Together with their protection and preservation even local culture and traditional way of farming regain their dignity.One of the participants, Ms Linet Imbosa, had the following to write:

All over the world, people are living on the fast lane. With the competing needs of population explosions and migration to major cities lifestyles for faster, efficient and effective modes of operations demand for fast foods, compressed, condensed, shortcuts, bigger, more and “better” production of the same.  These demands have led to innovative ways of food production with researchers hooking the human populations on to the genetically engineering to meet their world’s demands. Much is talked of the benefits of the new technologies but little is rarely known of the adverse side effects that may affect the many future generations irreversibly.

Many of the technologies pushing for the use of GMO are owned by rich multinational organizations which now threaten to completely swallow the cultural practices that have sustained the indigenous groups for generations and generations through the traditional methods of in their operations which ensured a variety of returns to the communities. There was assured longevity in their food species, animals, their environment and various ecosystems.   New technologies threaten this balance leading  to change in lifestyles,  progressive loss of biodiversity, food tastes and flavours,  seed variety in total disregard to the cultural practices, health implications, dwindling farm yields and perennial  hunger in areas that were once considered bread baskets. Animal breeds are near extinction. All these are creating potentially explosive global crises.

Questions that beg: Must the poor nations always take research work from developed nations religiously without question? What are the legal provisions that govern the practice of new technologies especially in unsuspecting countries? What are the ethical implications? Who protect the vulnerable?

Since the 1980s, there has been an emergence of more friendly organizations that support sustainable practices of food practices, encourages cultural practices of farming in slower more harmonious rhythms of lives, not straining  the earth’s resources, ecosystems and human lives, and generally protecting our biodiversity for posterity. There is advocacy and creation of awareness on slow foods that are clean, good and fair. The technologies that are used are naturally organic that preserve the food flavours, the quality and the original cultural livelihood of the people who practice on their farms these activities; as well as preserving the biodiversity of the areas. These promote cultural identities and support the local communities’ livelihood. Much more than what is often advertised as easy solution!