Saturday July 18, 2009, 9:05 pm
In Depth
"Women produce as much as 80 percent of the food in most developing countries and are responsible for producing half of the food around the world.

However, their key role as food producers and providers and their critical contribution to household food security is sometimes not recognized, according the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations.

FAO studies on gender and agriculture confirm that while women are the mainstay of small-scale agriculture, farm labor force and day-to-day family subsistence, they have more difficulties than men in gaining access to resources such as land and credit and productivity enhancing inputs and services.

The FAO defines food security as more than immediate access to and availability of food. Food security also takes into account resource distribution, the ability to produce food, and purchasing power to buy food where it is not produced.

Since women often play a central role in food production and provision, all strategies for sustainable food security must address their limited access to resources often more easily accessible to men, including access to land and sources of credit or even the basic tools necessary to get started."

just an example of what you can do in a minute or 2 to help change another's life for the bettter---which will in turn transform YOUR life, in subtle and often unnoticeable ways. "The flap of a butterfly's wings could start a hurricane, y'know--if all other things are lined up correctly. And we've got to try and LEARN how to line things up ---not just GIVE the initial push/flutter."

Peace & namaste to you ALL...xo

Monday July 20, 2009, 3:38 pm
The best aid that more developed countries should dispense to developing regions must come as practical, on the job seminars, in which small land owners (women and men) are tought the basics of efficient farming. Seeds have to made available to them at lowest possible cost. Any surplus is to be sold in local markets and reasonable prices. Since I live in a developing country I am able to witness first hand howprograms of that kind, when properly managed, help to improve living conditions of poorer rural population segments.