Local Farming Initiatives Seen As Key in Fight Against Global Hunger

The path toward alleviating worldwide hunger and poverty will more likely be found by focusing on small-scale local initiatives than simply producing more food, a new study says. In its annual State of the World report, the Worldwatch Institute describes successful programs to combat hunger, poverty, and the effects of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. In Gambia, the government is working with a newly formed women’s organization that monitors the local oyster fishery to prevent overharvesting; in Kenya, women cultivate “vertical” gardens in sacks that provide a source of revenue as well as food security for their families; and in Uganda, school children are taught about nutrition, food preparation, and how to grow local crops. Brian Halweil, co-director of the project, said shifting global attention from production to meeting the needs of local populations and cutting waste will provide a greater return on international investment. “Roughly 40 percent of the food currently produced worldwide is wasted before it is consumed, creating large opportunities for farmers and households to save both money and resources by reducing this waste,” he said.