Commission on Sustainable Development Side Event

Here's a part of my description of our CSD Side Event to give you a flavor of what we are up to. I'm hoping for a favorable response from Jesus.



This side event will present three successful projects that correspond to the theme of CSD-16, Agriculture, Rural development, Land, Desertification, and Africa. The three speakers will sequentially present their projects supported by power point presentations. The presentations will be followed by an interactive session with the side event participants.

Prema Antony will present her experience with the Bhakita Women’s Agricultural Project in Zambia. The presentation features the work of women who banded together to create a small scale irrigation project. The irrigation canal has vastly improved the fertility of family farms in the neighboring district. Using organic agricultural methods the women and their families are now successfully cultivating fruit trees on previously unproductive land.

Jesus Pacheco Jimenez will present his project in Oaxaca, Mexico. After years of struggle to farm within the framework of agricultural policies that have caused continuous fluctuation in the price of corn, beans and wheat while other expenses, such as the cost of fertilizer, have soared, Jesus formed a cooperative for the production of fertilizer through the use of composting, worm beds and nitrogen-fixing plants. The cooperative also diversified food production allowing year-round sale in local markets.

Anna Mayonga of Zimbabwe will present a self-help project of her country women in Zimbabwe. The women labored successfully to create a viable community agricultural project using culturally appropriate sustainable methods. The presentation features the social cohesion of the women rooted in food security and protection of the land for future generations.