Can Self-Sufficiency Solve World Hunger?
Tue, April 28, 2009 at 09:30PM This article is to contribute to the World Hunger Day in Bloggers Unite
Imagine this scenario:
A price for a simple cucumber is USD 10. A set of mandarin of 4 is US$15. Cauliflower is USD 20. And bokchoy for USD 15. Going to a supermarket for your weekly groceries shopping means spending USD 250.. and I repeat, weekly. Crazy, huh? And a simple lunch in a small modest restaurant is USD 20, something with modest quality. You can get a lower quality one with "only" USD12. Now you may want to multiply it by days a month and weeks a month and you'll get idea how much one spends per month. Only on food.
That's my life in Angola. And I was not talking about expatriate standard. That is THE standard here in Luanda. And we are one of those lucky ones who can afford. The maximum we do is to complain on our big expenses on food. And yes, we do this daily. But what about those majority of people who can barely afford or can not afford at all?
As Luanda is voted world's most expensive city, Angola's case is probably an extreme one. Nevertheless, hunger is still a global problem. Even in those countries where source of food is abundant and soil is fertile.
Why is that?
*Ok, this is just my stupid analysis since I'm somewhat exposed to such an extreme case with regards to price of food*
If I hear it correctly, the high price of food in Angola is because everything is imported. Although I heard from an Angolan friend that it is now coming, the locally produced food is still not enough to cover the demand. I am not an economist but I think this makes sense. When we depend too much on market, we will be fully driven by it. Thus, maybe self sufficient is the key.
Some of my friends here in Angola who are lucky enough to have a small garden in their yard have started to plant some vegetables and fruits. And now they are not anymore my kind who regularly complain about how a bucket of rotten grapes cost 25USD. They're content now.
Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, also came up with such concept. He called it Marhaenisme. One time he walked down a street and met a typical Indonesian man of that time (in around 1930's) who do not have any money, but live a family. When he talked to that guy whose name is Marhaen, he found out that Marhaen had his own small area of land where he plants his rice and veggies, had his own cow to help him to process the land, and some goats. And that is all his possession. He had just enough to feed himself, his wife and his family.. without any dependence on anybody and on any party. And this was how basically most Indonesians at that time lived their life. Soekarno who at that time was one of Indonesian young leaders fought for Indonesia independence from Dutch rule was amazed of this concept and named this concept "Marhaenisme" after the name of the man he spoke to. According to Soekarno, the very first step to be independent is to be self sufficient.
Mahatma Gandhi in his fight against British rule also encouraged the same concept. He was going to such an extent even his own clothes were self-made from raw material.
Now the million dollar question:
Can self sufficiency solve world hunger? And if yes, can any place in the world apply self-sufficiency?
Somebody might tell me that the concept of self-sufficiency is against modern economy principle. I am not an expert on that, so probably you can tell me. One thing for sure, we are now hit by global financial crisis.. and probably one way to get out of it is to be back to basic. Dont know, really, so feel free to comment on this.
The big talk of the moment in philantrophy is about giving gift that can give back. People now start to think that to donate livestock to a poor family is much more valuable than to donate money alone. Giving livestock (ie.goats or cows) with appropriate training of what one can do with it can provide sustainable income for the family. For example, a goat or a cow produces milk that can be sold, and then when the goat or the cow has springs, they can multiply the income. Mr.Heifer is the pioneer of this concept of giving. His organization even makes a game rule that whoever receives the donation of livestock, when the livestock has spring, the recipient has to give away the first spring to other poor family in their community. So donation can be multiplied to the whole village.
Although not to its full version, to some extent Heifer encourages the importance of self-sufficiency.
Fingers crossed, it will probably work. I secretly want to believe so.
However, now is not the Marhaens era anymore. In this modern age, self-sufficiency will only work if basic facilities in the villages are available. The importance role of a government is then to ensure that infrastructure is available in these villages, namely schools and hospitals as the very basic of standard. This part, though, is another global issue!
Reader Comments (8)
hey thanks for the comment.
Yes there's always hope in everything isnt it?
By writing of this entry is indeed one way to spread the awareness. Time, effort and all concerted actions - we're getting there, I am sure.. :D
Hopefully this post will touch everyone heart to their fellow human who starve.
Btw, how are you Nadia.
You hit the point, kang! Thanks.. Correct, again, preserving energy. And diligently keep looking for alternative sources that are practical and sustainable. Uh, I become quite obsessed with the issue, it's worrying!
@T T Tan:
You are correct, probably we'd reach a point where no land is available anymore. Don't know about the statistic, really, but may also be that cities look crowded because everybody's going to cities in search of a better life, including us.
@Tikno:
Hi Tikno, good to hear from you again :) I'm fine here.. how r u. Hey did you contribute an article as well for the world hunger day? :)