More than roads required

Much emphasis is given to the importance of infrastructure in boosting the economy of rural areas and for reducing poverty there. Roads mean more trade, right? Roads mean that you can get your produce to the market, don't they?

The latest Agritrade newsletter reports on a review done on the link between infrastructure and agricultural trade and poverty reduction, published in September 2013, which “confirms that rural roads are important for poverty reduction, and can increase agricultural productivity and market access”. But it also finds “little evidence that roads have a direct impact on the poorest communities”.

The findings make the case that investment in "soft infrastructure" like the services related to extension and maintaining standards are as important as putting money towards "hard infrastructure" (roads, energy supply, communications).

The whole article and editorial comment can be found here.

In The Agri Handbook, the importance of infrastructure is underscored by the fact that both the chapter on infrastructure and the chapter on developing farmer support are in the "National issues" section. There are also chapters on the importance of rural development, and agricultural education and training.

Eastern Cape gets fracking

Engineering News reports that the first phase of shale gas exploration has begun in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT). This despite the concerns and opposition of many citizens and experts.

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) involves injecting millions of litres of water, chemicals and sand into Mother Earth at high pressure to free pockets of natural gas. Find out more, including the documented environmental risk, at www.treasurethekaroo.co.za . [Yes, the term "Mother Earth" is emotive, and so you know where this writer stands on the issue.]

On the same day, for the record, a solar company CEO speaking about fracking says: " ... the long-term repercussions on the economy as well as the effect on the environment and public health, may be staggering, not to mention the potential clean-up costs that will fall on taxpayers for decades to come".

Shale gas is one of the sources of energy on which you will find notes in the Energy chapter of The Agri Handbook. Solar and other renewable energy sources are looked at in a dedicated Renewable energy chapter.

New York roof farm to open on the 17 Dec

Whole Foods Market has been constructing a 20 000 square foot (close to 2000 m2) greenhouse on the roof of its store in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Advanced irrigation systems will use up to 20 times less than conventional farming. Inhabitat NEW YORK CITY quips: It doesn't get more local than that!

As urbanisation is to be a trend worldwide urban farming will become more vital for food security. This is dealt with in "The urban question" chapter of The Agri Handbook.

Rest in peace

"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013.

Find the earlier blog On saints and personas: Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday here.

Don't give up!

You may not be aware of it, but the biggest AIDS conference on the African continent is currently taking place in Cape Town [find information on the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) event here].

An important message to the person finding out they are infected is that a healthy, continued life is possible (DON'T GIVE UP!) Studies point to the importance of nutrition, basic food safety, adequate sleep and a positive attitude. And ARV medication has made a huge difference in the lives of millions.

HIV and AIDS is a chapter in The Agri Handbook. HIV and AIDS is everyone's business and farmers may not know where to turn if one of their workers becomes infected. Find the chapter here.

Find the latest statistics and news of progress against HIV and AIDS at http://www.unaids.org.

What to do about this?

The last SA The Good News newsletter reminded us that the black middle class in the country grew from 1.7 million in 2004 to 4.2 million a few months ago. These findings by the University of Cape Town's Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing are good news for the country's demographics (strange we are not hearing more about this!) It suggests that although change flies beneath the radar, it is happening nonetheless.

And yet we still have the poor and, in South Africa, some of the widest inequalities in the world (we are joined by some other African countries in this). The wealthiest 10% consume 51% of goods, while the poorest 10% account for a mere 1.1%. Just a few kilometres from the affluent live people in abject poverty.

What can we do about this?

A question like that usually sends us into our heads and we spout out answers: this solution or that, or we fix blame somewhere.

The poor are part of us. It seems to me that until we register this in our hearts, no political or economic fix in the world will change anything.

Food to Lesotho

Today, transport of food aid to Lesotho from South Africa begins. The small, landlocked neighbour is currently experiencing a food crisis.

This forms part of an agreement between South Africa and the United Nations World Food Program in which South Africa donated R180 million (about USD 18 million) to help alleviate the food crisis next door. Maize (corn) will be non-GM (genetically modified), and 40 percent of it will purchased from smallholder farmers here. All the other food commodities will also come from local suppliers of pulses, salt, oil and fish.

Food security is what agriculture is all about, of course. Some human beings produce surplus food so that the rest of us can get on with other jobs. The Agri Handbook covers the entire agricultural value chain in South Africa. Chapters include Biotechnology, Food security and smallholder farmer support.