Latest news with #foodsecurity
CBC
11 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
How victory gardens crop up during times of crisis
Amid high grocery prices and U.S. tariff threats, Bill Belsey is fighting back with seeds and soil in his small "victory garden." "When Trump announced … what at least I interpreted as sort of economic warfare against Canada, it took me back to my parents' generation," Belsey told CBC Radio's Cost of Living from his home in Cochrane, Alta. His father served in the Second World War, and his mother, like many Canadians left behind, contributed to the war effort by starting a victory garden. "There was a sort of communal kind of feeling like, yes, we're in this together. And so they started planting, even though they weren't really farmers or gardeners," said Belsey. "And I got thinking about that a little bit and it dawned on me that, look, I can't change world events, but there are things I could do, and this is one of those." Victory gardens, promoted as a way to ease food shortages during the world wars, always crop up again in times of crisis, according to Debi Goodwin, author of A Victory Garden for Trying Times. For some, they're now emerging as a tool to fight against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to Canada's sovereignty. "People have started them whenever they've seen something that scares them," said Goodwin. Food as a 'way of fighting against your enemy' The roots of the victory garden can be traced back to the First World War, when Britain encouraged citizens to turn their flower gardens into vegetable gardens in an effort to stave off food shortages. But it was in the U.S. that "victory gardens really took off," Goodwin said. American businessman Charles Lathrop Pack was key in promoting victory gardens, pushing the importance of self-sustainability of food supplies in the country and helping ship food to its allies. After the war, the gardens largely disappeared until the Second World War led to their revival. At the time, an estimated 200,000 victory gardens were growing in Canada, according to Goodwin. Governments gave people seeds, tools and instructions on how to yield plentiful crops. "Food was seen as a way of fighting against your enemy," Goodwin said. "It was creating a supply of food that would last a family of five through the summer and also carry you through the fall, if not the whole winter." 'A sense of control' Manish Kushwaha, who owns Gaia Organic Seeds in Ottawa, has noticed a jump in sales and renewed interest from people looking to grow their own food. He says gardeners are usually done buying seeds in March, but he's had consistent orders since then. "I correlate that 100 per cent to the tariffs." WATCH | Local seed seller seeing a 'boom' in sales in wake of trade war: This local seed seller says he's seeing a 'boom' in sales in wake of trade war 2 months ago Duration 1:53 Manish Kushwaha, the owner of Gaia Organic Seeds in Riverside South, says March is usually when seed sales die off. But this year, his business has seen such an influx of orders they cannot keep up. He has seen this before: "COVID happened, and my sales skyrocketed." It's moments of uncertainty like that when people turn back to victory gardens, Goodwin said. During the OPEC crisis of 1973, people tended their backyards and created public gardens, she said, also pointing to the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, when seed companies couldn't keep up with the demand. "It's not only a chance to beat the cost of rising food — which were both elements in those times — but it gives people a sense of control over their lives," Goodwin said. "I think any time anybody has anxiety, they can look to their garden to create beauty or grow food." Since the U.S. announced tariffs on Canadian goods, two of Canada's biggest packet seed companies, Ontario Seed and West Coast Seeds, told CBC they have seen a 20 per cent increase in sales compared to the same period last year. In an email to Cost of Living, West Coast Seeds said, "Many of our customers are expressing their preference to buy from Canadian-owned and operated companies in response to the tariffs. Back in Cochrane, Belsey is growing lettuce, radishes and carrots in his planter box. "You can get a lot of food out of a little space," he said. "So much happens in the world, and we don't really know what we as individuals can do." "It's one small [thing] that we as individuals, as Canadians, can do at a time when we're feeling really under the gun."
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Environment minister sets out green goals as national agriculture centre and museum are launched
The Minister of Climate Change and the Environment has set out the UAE's green vision, supported by the launch of an agriculture hub to help develop a fresh crop of farmers and bolster food security, and a museum celebrating farming history. Dr Amna Al Dahak told The National about moves to champion home-grown produce as the Emirates launched the National Agricultural Museum and announced the start of operations by the National Agriculture Centre. The museum, inside the exhibition space at the Adnec Centre in Al Ain, takes visitors on an immersive journey charting the rise of UAE agriculture – from traditional oasis farming to today's high-tech greenhouses. It was unveiled as part of the four-day Emirates Agriculture Conference, which concludes on Saturday and has brought together governments bodies, start-ups and universities. 'As part of our national Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, and this first edition, we made sure that we're not only talking about creating collaborations and partnerships in the agriculture sector for a sustainable growth but also to show the whole story behind the agricultural sector,' Dr Al Dahak told The National. The museum covers 100 square metres inside the sprawling exhibition space and is open to all conference attendees. 'It captures three time zones,' Dr Al Dahak said. 'One is the past, since the inception of the UAE and the start of agricultural development, specifically when it started in Al Ain, then moving to the current state of agriculture, and then looking at the future of agriculture.' 'We have interactive experiences, because you need to ensure that the audience move out of it with new knowledge, with new understanding and new vision of how they can support the sector.' Dr Al Dahak said the museum's future extends beyond the agriculture exhibition and an announcement on that would be made soon after the event. National Agriculture Centre starts operations The National Agriculture Centre is a flagship initiative under the Plant the Emirates national programme. Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, outlined ambitious goals for the centre, including increasing productive farms by 20 per cent, expanding organic farms by 25 per cent and reducing agricultural waste by 50 per cent. 'This centre will be the engine room for agricultural transformation in the UAE,' he said. 'It will provide hands-on training, expert consultancy and tailored support to farmers while driving innovation through partnerships and applied research.' Veteran agribusiness leader Sultan Salem Al Shamsi was announced as the centre's director. With more than 25 years of experience in smart agriculture, agri-finance and value chain development, Dr Al Shamsi is expected to lead the centre's drive to make UAE-grown food more competitive in local and global markets. Young people at the centre of transformation Engaging young people has been a theme of the conference, with a youth council established to help involve the next generation. 'We're always capturing the interest, the vision and making the youth an inseparable part of the process of this development,' said Dr Al Dahak. The minister added that government, private sector, academic and international co-operation are vital to them UAE's farming future.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, Malaysia's Perak State Development Corporation sign MoU to facilitate investments in food security
The Ministry of Investment and the Perak State Development Corporation in Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support co-operation in the field of food security. The agreement also includes the development of the Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal in Perak State, reinforcing both parties' commitment to global supply chains and sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure development. The MoU was signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, and Yab Dato' Seri Haji Saarani Bin Mohamad, Chairman of Perak State Development Corporation. The two parties will work together to explore opportunities for investment in food security, building on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the UAE and Malaysia in January 2025. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi said, 'This Memorandum with the Perak State Development Corporation underscores our shared commitment to bolstering regional supply chain resilience and driving sustainable development. Through this partnership, we aim to create meaningful international collaborations that deliver tangible value to both parties, while also contributing to the stability of the global food system.' Yab Dato' Seri Haji Saarani Bin Mohamad, Chairman of Perak State Development Corporation added, 'We are pleased to formalise this partnership with the UAE Ministry of Investment, which will advance our agricultural sector and infrastructure development objectives, and our role in global food security. The Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal will serve as a critical gateway for Malaysia's food exports while strengthening our position in global supply chains. We greatly value our partnership with the UAE and look forward to working together.' The UAE and Malaysia have a strong relationship with increasing economic and trade ties. Non-oil bilateral trade reached US$4.9 billion in 2023 and US$4 billion in the first nine months of 2024. The UAE is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East accounting for 32% of Malaysia's trade volume with the region, and Malaysia is the UAE's 12th largest Asian trading partner.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE and Malaysia's Perak State Development Corporation sign MoU to facilitate investments in food security and support the development of the Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal
Non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Malaysia reached USD 4.9 billion in 2023 and USD4 billion in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting a strong and growing economic partnership between the two countries. Abu Dhabi – The Ministry of Investment of the United Arab Emirates and the Perak State Development Corporation in Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support co-operation in the field of food security. The agreement also includes the development of the Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal in Perak State, reinforcing both parties' commitment to global supply chains and sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure development. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Yab Dato' Seri Haji Saarani Bin Mohamad, Chairman of Perak State Development Corporation. The two parties will work together to explore opportunities for investment in food security, building on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the UAE and Malaysia in January 2025. His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment said: 'This Memorandum with the Perak State Development Corporation underscores our shared commitment to bolstering regional supply chain resilience and driving sustainable development. Through this partnership, we aim to create meaningful international collaborations that deliver tangible value to both parties, while also contributing to the stability of the global food system.' Yab Dato' Seri Haji Saarani Bin Mohamad, Chairman of Perak State Development Corporation added: 'We are pleased to formalize this partnership with the UAE Ministry of Investment, which will advance our agricultural sector and infrastructure development objectives, and our role in global food security. The Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal will serve as a critical gateway for Malaysia's food exports while strengthening our position in global supply chains. We greatly value our partnership with the UAE and look forward to working together.' The UAE and Malaysia have a strong relationship with increasing economic and trade ties. Non-oil bilateral trade reached USD 4.9 billion in 2023 and USD4 billion in the first nine months of 2024. The UAE is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East accounting for 32% of Malaysia's trade volume with the region, and Malaysia is the UAE's 12th largest Asian trading partner. About the Ministry of Investment of the UAE The Ministry of Investment plays a pivotal role in solidifying the UAE's position as a global investment hub with world-class connectivity to international markets. By attracting foreign direct investment in critical sectors and fostering private and private sector collaboration, the Ministry leverages the UAE's fit-for-purpose, investor-friendly environment and ambitious economic diversification goals, positioning the nation as a resilient and forward-looking destination for global investors and enterprises. About Invest UAE Invest UAE is a platform by the Ministry of Investment dedicated to enhancing the UAE's investment ecosystem and positioning the UAE as a leading global investment hub. Under the Ministry's leadership, Invest UAE aims to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment across multiple sectors of the UAE's economy and encourage partnerships between global investors and nations. Its purpose is to create a setting where people, businesses, and capital can thrive, reinforcing the UAE's position as a compelling investment destination for all.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Agriculture Ministry, International Fertiliser Association discuss environmental sustainability, food security
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Thursday reiterated Jordan's commitment to supporting the transition towards environmentally friendly and sustainable fertiliser production. He also stressed the government's encouragement for national companies to invest in renewable energy and innovation, in line with Jordan's national objectives and ambitious policies for environmental sustainability and enhanced food security, in cooperation with international partners, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Speaking during a meeting with CEO and Director General of the International Fertiliser Association (IFA) Alzbeta Klein, Hneifat highlighted the leading role of the Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan's fertiliser industry. The minister, in the presence of APC CEO Maen Nsour, praised the company's contributions to local communities, national projects, and its support for the water-retaining environmental cocoon project, implemented by the Royal Scientific Society for Nature Conservation under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and in cooperation with the company. Hneifat underscored the vital role played by the IFA as the global voice of the fertiliser industry, particularly in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging efficient fertiliser use, innovating nutrient management, and providing market information to improve the efficiency of global supply chains. He noted that the Kingdom is a 'key' partner in the global food security ecosystem, owing to its natural resources, particularly the production of potash and phosphate, two essential elements for crop growth and food security. Klein expressed appreciation for Jordan's pivotal role in supporting the global fertiliser industry through its production of phosphate and potash. She commended the APC as a national 'success' story and a key contributor to the global fertiliser sector. She also stressed the importance of the company's active participation in IFA committees and specialised programmes, particularly those focused on sustainability, innovation, and support for start-ups. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
