REFLECT, PLAN, ACT (repeat)

For nearly a year I have had the honour of participating and representing FARAFENA in the FACT global community (Food, Agro-biodiversity, Clarity and Transparency) The FACT work has now gone public. The journey towards healing our planet and fostering unity continues.

FACT has published its work addressing FOOD IS MEDICINE, AGRO-BIODIVERSITY, FOOD CHOICES FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, SINGLE USE MATERIALS, CIRCULAR ECONOMY OF FOOD and a FOOD CLARITY FRAMEWORK.  Our contribution to the AGRO-BIODIVERSITY cohort has been uplifting and brought focus and clarity to the key principles behind Agro-biodiversity.

Farafena partners directly with women fonio farmers from the village of Tiebe in the Sikasso Region - Southern Mali.  Our family and farming collaborators have shared with FACT insights into the development of ‘The 10 Principles for Agro-biodiversity”

The Fonio supply chain case study is a snapshot of the potential for supporting traceable agro biodiverse crops for both pan-African and export markets. We salute the ongoing efforts of scores of farmer-focused initiatives around the globe.

Agro-biodiversity is the natural course of life on this planet.  The specific principles of the “Oneness of Humanity" and “Equality between women and men", have guided our affairs.  Unity in Diversity is the hallmark of a mature global community. All the diversities of the Human family and our ecosystems, are our strength and must be preserved.  These lofty goals and global view will only be actualized with focused collaboration and support at the grass roots of agriculture. Putting concrete actions around the SDG's is critical.

The true narrative out of Africa is one of diversity, resilience, nobility, rich history and pride. Fostering biodiversity uplifts the lives of smallholder farmers, mitigates climate change, elevates conversations addressing systemic barriers, empowers women and girls, builds diverse communities, re-imagines equitable governance systems and creates prosperity for future generations. The work of the African Orphan Crops Consortium is commendable and critical to introducing orphaned indigenous crops back into the food chain. The work of FACT supports this dialogue and encourages principled and concrete actions.

It has been a humbling experience to collaborate with the participants from FACT and The Lexicon.  We encourage feedback and reflection on the work FACT has done to continue the iterative process and foster a culture of "learning and building capacity". The journey continues with all the more urgency as we ponder and reflect on the fragility of global systems as exposed through the COVID19 pandemic.

For the first time in recorded history every individual, community and institution on our planet have been impacted by a common threat. Collectively we must continue seriously addressing other common threats to our existence such as: disunity, climate change, economic disparities, mass migration - to name a few.

We are in a period of disruption and disruption for good! Let's not squander the opportunities now before us. #climateresilience #nutrition #foodsovereignty #regenerativeagriculture