Bolivia moves to secure food supply
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President of Bolivia Evo Morales,
signs law to ensure
food security for his country
LAZ PAZ BOLIVIA – Under the new law, state-owned companies will be set up to produce seeds and fertilizers. The government aims to safeguard biodiversity and protect native foodstuffs, as well as ending dependence on foreign seed companies.
Early this year, there were violent protests across the country, sparked by food shortages and spiraling prices.
The recent rise in global food prices forced many Bolivians to abandon their indigenous staples in favor of cheaper, imported products. Quinoa is one such staple, it is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain.
The government plans to invest $5bn over 10 years, with generous credits to small farmers, in order to bring about what it calls a food revolution to ensure Bolivians can feed themselves for generations to come.
The indigenous crops of Bolivia
Bolivia is home to thousands of native varieties of crops, including potato and corn. The Morales government wants to improve genetic stock through natural selection.
It rejects what it describes as an invasion of genetically-modified seeds, fearing they will contaminate indigenous species, and prove to be too expensive for small farmers to buy.
Lisa Panades, the Bolivian representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said the legislation was a step in the right direction.
“The law aims and is creating the conditions to boost food production, especially among small farmers who are the most vulnerable. Of course, the law on its own is not enough, but I think that – with the government’s backing – if the law is applied well, there are excellent conditions for Bolivia to guarantee its food sovereignty.”
Quinoa – A Bolivian staple
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It would be a great luxury for Bolivia to be able to feed itself without depending on imports.
It certainly would be a great luxury. I hope the rest of the world follows suit.
Good for Bolivia, Morales is trying to secure his country’s food supply and maintain the environment. I wish him the best of luck, he will need it. The big seed and fertilizer companies will be gnashing their teeth.