Increase self sufficiency and food security - Provide seeds and local goods in COVID-19 food hampers

Increase self sufficiency and food security – Provide seeds and local goods in COVID-19 food hampers

Apr 08, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Let me start this letter by first applauding all those entities that have begun distributing food hampers and other aid to vulnerable persons and communities in need in Guyana during this time of crisis. It is heartening to see this demonstration of care and concern for each other and the actions being undertaken are indeed commendable.
I would like to make a few suggestions, however, which have the potential to greatly increase the positive impact of these initiatives.
First- it would be wonderful if fresh fruits and vegetables could be purchased directly from Guyanese farmers for distribution in these hampers, not simply processed items from the large supermarkets. Things like citrus, ground provisions, and other fruits are essential to good health and are bountiful in Guyana.
Given that an enormous component of good health depends on ‘eating healthy’, including items like these, is of paramount importance now more than ever.
With the current restrictions on municipal vending, many farmers now have a huge problem finding markets for their produce and face the prospect of massive wastage and loss of income. This does not need to be.
The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC) has, in recent years, purported to establish relationships with many farmers and local agro-producers; it should be easy therefore to tap into this knowledge and networks and turn a challenging situation into a win-win for all concerned.
We have also seen an explosion of agro-processing in recent years, and there are many quality local goods available such as coconut oil, peanut butter from the Rupununi, dried fish of all kind, ‘bush teas’, spices, etc, which make up part of a healthy diet. Sourcing these items from local producers would reduce our dependency on imported goods, and also help keep these small businesses – many of which provide employment to other Guyanese and contribute to the economy via taxes etc. – afloat in these trying times.
In that vein, it would be excellent if seeds, seedlings, garden soil, and manure could be freely distributed to Guyanese as well, in addition to packaged and processed foodstuff. While not everybody will be able to grow much of their food, there are many items which can be easily grown in containers if land/yard space is limited.
This crisis has revealed the vital importance of food security and it is imperative, in my opinion, that the Ministry of Agriculture demonstrates more leadership on this front at this time. On a financial level – any amount of vegetables, fruit, and seasonings that a household is able to grow for themselves increases their self-sufficiency, reduces their food spending and dependency on others for assistance, and leaves more money available for the purchase of other essential items, which cannot easily be produced at home.
Gardening has also been shown to have many physical and mental health benefits – from providing exercise to persons (for free – no need to pay for a gym membership!), as well as helping to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression and increasing feelings of self-sufficiency and control. These are critical components of good health and important now more than ever before.
There is indeed a serious crisis facing us right now, something which is disrupting life as we know it, and creating great uncertainty and stress. However, the situation can also be viewed as an opportunity to build more sustainable and healthy systems.
Let us not simply react fearfully and in ways that maintain inequity and dependence, but seize this chance to reflect and think more creatively, and to make the changes necessary for improved individual and societal health and wellbeing in the long term.
Sincerely,
Sherlina Nageer, MPH

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