In the face of such widespread suffering, it seems a bit trivial to celebrate one small experiment like Ajamvari Farm.  Yet several weeks ago, the World Food Programme and European Union announced major investments in agricultural projects to support small farmers — especially women — in Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Gemmo Lodesani, Director of the WFP liaison office in Brussels, explained the reasoning:

…one of the best ways to make sure people have access to food is to help small farmers increase production.

Of course, those of us involved in small farms and alternative agriculture have know this for years.  And we also know that productivity needs to be balanced with sustainability and health for people and the environment. However, it’s good to have official recognition that the efforts of small farms where people simply grow and eat food can make a difference to the bigger problems of the world.

Food connects us with the world in some of the most profound ways. Therefore, our choices regarding food, have deep ramifications. It determines whether we sit in the chair for hours or stretch our legs in the garden; whether we suck our eye-sockets in front of the TV or relish in the serenity of bird-chirps; whether we get obese, or stay trim; whether we are educated about our food or remain ignoramus and thereby good target of food industry; whether we know our neighbors or believe that the characters we see dancing in TV are somehow part of a mystical global village; I can go on.

My next essay for the Kathmandu Post is going to be on food crisis–which is looming all across the country and all over South Asia.