Entries by mumbi

Youth, Culture and Biodiversity

Learning from the root Oral in nature, traditional culture was transmitted via observation and practice day-in day-out. This is encompassed in the ‘Learning from the root’ experiential programme where youth is integrated into a host family to experience culture by living it. MARK MWANGI writes. The Youth, Culture and Biodiversity (YCB) thematic area of ABN aims […]

Usiko Stellenbosch

Graduates take on the first ever Namibia Cultural Exchange For culture to thrive, the youth must be fully included as they are tomorrow’s custodians. Arnold Okkers reports on one such cultural exchange visit to the Namibia Wilderness Therapy (NWT) in Windhoek where the youth got to experience culture first-hand. This year, 7 learners from Cloetesville […]

Say No to GMOs

Why the lifting of the GMO ban in Kenya spells doom to millions of small-scale farmers Many governments, cognisant of the adverse effects of GMOs on human, animal and crop health, the environment, and biodiversity, are closing down on GMO technology. Zachary Makanya puts forth a strong case on why the government of Kenya should […]

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THE REVIVAL

Saving the ankole longhorns of Uganda In many places around the world, introduced breeds and varieties are promoted with the promise of high yields. But when a community reflects on their past and their opportunities, they are likely to see that high yields may not compensate for the high costs of external inputs such as […]

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KENYA’S CROP ACT: A HIDDEN AGENDA?

The Crops Act of Kenya, 2013, regulates which crops can be cultivated for commercial purposes and what the regulatory burdens are, for those that want to enter the commercial market. This creates an exclusive commercial market for only the elite farmers who are able to comply with what the system demands of them. In addition, […]

GHANA SAYS NO TO THE ADOPTATION OF PLANT BREEDERS BILL

Farmer, labour unions, religious, political and civil society organisations took to the streets of Accra on 28th January 2014 to demonstrate against the adoption of the Plant Breeders’ Bill that is before the Parliament. The Bill is based on UPOV 1991, and following its adoption the Ghana government intended to ratify and become a member […]

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REVIVING LOST SEEDS AND CROPS

Indigenous crops have provided communities with a nutritious diet for thousands of years. The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) has been working with small holders farmers in reviving indigenous and traditional crops variety in order to diversify crops variety for both food security and sovereignty. This has gone a long way in reviving local […]