It is not a secret that majority of the people in Africa are suffering from starvation and the continent as a whole needs some answers to this hunger issue. In this article, the author points out that Calestous Juma, a Harvard professor, has a solution to this mind boggling problem. Apparently, the solution involves better equipment for agriculture areas, better accessibility to farms, and the use of genetic modification in crop production. The African officials have been concentrating on the issue, and are going to advance to help the starving nation be nourished.
With all the negative media published about Africa, this news is good news. The solution seems simple, but all the details for modernizing farms can become complex very fast. The United States and other countries have been using genetic modification in crop production for quite some time now, and now many farmers have yields per acre that are unheard of in history. If the right tools and practices are provided to Africa maybe over time this hunger issue may begin to resolve itself. I know it is a long stretch, but maybe with help from other nations this plan could be a success.
The article points out that so much of this problem lie in the hands of leaders of Africa and other nations. This appears to be very true. It takes leaders to pass bills to build roads to farms, and it takes leaders to approve grants and bills to get farming equipment. There are actually many farmers who live in Africa, but the right tools are not available to them to mass produce for the whole continent. In fact, Juma believes things will stay the same until the president of Africa addresses the problem and looks into taking some action.
Many people see the pictures plastered all over television of the starving children in Africa that need food or they will die. I think if many nations stood together and provided Africa with tractors, plows, education on farming and the necessary seeds to produce a good crop that we could finally develop a productive plan to help. Giving money to the country is wonderful in all, but I think what they really need is a plan of action with supplies.
This is a picture of some of the crops Juma suggested Africa to grow
This crop is millet, and it is believed that it would grow great in some areas of Africa.
This is a picture of sorghum. It is actually a popular crop in some areas of the world and may just work in Africa too!
Yams are another crop that is actually grown in some areas of Africa now, but there is possibilities of mass production of this crop.
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