The Rural Voice, 1995-12, Page 26SE
AWIAW WARN
1812iiiMY WISW27
WiiR WAY
We just wanted to say
"Merry Christmas",
and "thanks" for calling
on us this past year.
We appreciate your
kind patronage.
from Ron, Betty, Paul
and Dianne
K.M.M. FARM
DRAINAGE
Walton
887-6428 527-1633
Jogous Tidings
Let's cherish the spirit of Christmas
and the joy of friendship.
r
BUILDERS LTD.
• AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL •
HANOVER (519) 364-3609
22 THE RURAL VOICE
special needs along with the on-
going problems in Sub -Sahara
Africa. Africa received 91 per cent of
grains bank shipments last year.
Smaller shipments also went to war-
torn Bosnia and to Latin American
countries including Mexico and Peru.
One of the strengths of the
Foodgrains Bank is its concern for
food security in the receiving
countries. It doesn't want to
undermine farmers' incomes. If
refugees from war or famine are in a
camp, for instance, they will need the
food the bank can provide. If the
emergency subsides, however, and
the people can go back to their
homes, the food provided can then be
sold on the local market and the
money used to buy seeds and tools to
let people start over again.
Communities and farmers locked in a
subsistence lifestyle because of
chronic drought may benefit more in
the long run if food aid is used as a
wage good to support people as they
dig wells and build dams. The
Bank's annual report says: "Our food
security orientation includes the view
that hungry people are not objects of
our charity, rather fellow human
beings who, like us, prefer to grow
and buy their own food. It means we
are open and committed to using
food aid in ways that go beyond the
needs of the day, ways that have a
positive long-term effect in the
countries in which we work." The
goal, Papple reiterates, is to build
food security, not just provide
today's lunch. "There's not much
point of sending grain into an area if
it undermines local farmers."
Most people in growing projects
like the idea that their grain goes
abroad to feed starving people. While
most does, there can be better ways
to use the donation. Soybeans, for
instance, seldom go overseas but are
sold to earn cash to help pay for
shipping and other needs. If there is a
big need in southern Africa or South
America, Ontario corn may be in
demand. In 1992, for instance, when
there was a widespread drought in
the south of Africa, 32,000 tonnes of
corn were shipped. When there's a
need in other areas or the world,
however, it may be best to sell the
corn and use the money to buy a
grain such as western hard wheat,
that can be used by the people.