Though For Food with Sofonie Dala. Zero Hunger 2nd edition

Our Zero Hunger Campaign is ongoing

Our main challenge is to seek all kinds of solutions to address the prevailing question: “How do we feed 10bn people on a hotter planet?”

Among the works of mercy, there is the reminder of hunger and thirst: to give food to the hungry — there are many today — and drink to the thirsty.

We all know that there are populations who are suffering from the lack of food and water, with serious consequences, especially for children.

How often the media shows us sad images and public opinions that touch us?

When, as we walk along the street, we cross the path of a person in need, or a poor person who is begging at the entrance to our home, it is very different, because they are no longer an image; we are involved personally. There is no longer any distance between me and him or her, and I feel engaged.

We need to take many actions now. Solidarity campaigns must not stop, generous donations must be made, and in this way one can contribute to alleviate the suffering of many.

The call of poverty in the abstract does not reach us, but it makes us think, and makes us denounce it; however, when we see poverty in the flesh of a man, of a woman, of a child, this plea reaches us!

And therefore, we get into the habit of avoiding those in need, of not approaching them, somewhat masking the reality of the needy, following the current trend of keeping away from them. There is no longer any distance between you and the poor person when you come across him.

In these cases, what is your reaction? Do you look elsewhere and walk by? Or do you stop to speak to him and take an interest in his situation? And if you do this, it will not be without someone saying: “This is crazy, why speak to a poor person!”.

Do you see if you can welcome this person in some way, or do you try to get away from him as soon as possible? But perhaps he is only asking for what is needed: something to eat and drink.

Let us think for a moment: how often do we recite the “Our Father”, yet do not pay close attention to those words: “Give us this day our daily bread”?

The experience of hunger is hard. Those who have endured war or famine know about it. However, this experience is repeated every day, and coexists alongside abundance and waste.

There is always someone who is hungry or thirsty and who needs us. We cannot delegate this to another. This poor person needs you, your help, your word, your commitment. We are all involved in this.

Improving agricultural performance

Poverty and hunger remain the biggest development challenges of our time.

Agriculture in Africa is expected to meet the dual objectives of providing food and helping people to escape poverty. African agriculture is dominated by smallholdings and donors generally target their agricultural support at the smallholder sector.

The expectation is that if the gap between actual and potential yields can be closed, smallholders will grow sufficient crops to feed their families, with a surplus to sell, thus meeting food security needs and bringing in an income to move them out of poverty. In practice, this is often not possible.