Gaborone- The two day Regional Seminar on Communication by The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) which was held in Gaborone recently last month and attended by experts from all over Africa recommended among other issues that OIE members should proactively make transparent and science based information available to the media and the general public, so as to strengthen Veterinary Service’s public image as an accountable and authoritative source of information on any relevant event relating to animal health and public health, writes Simba Nembaware.
Officially opening the seminar held under the banner “Communication Strategy in Veterinary Services”, Dr. Micus Chimbombi, Botswana's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, said agriculture remains an important sector especially in rural areas where it plays a critical role in the provision of food, industrial raw materials and employment creation. He sector is also one of the main foreign exchange earners as a generator of government revenues.
“The development of the livestock industry is dependent on freedom from diseases, which in turn requires effective communication with veterinary services for them to fulfil their mandate,” said Dr. Chimbombi who expressed pleasure in noting that OIE is instrumental in the development of communication strategy. He added that the success of veterinary services through out the world “will depend on effective and efficient communication.”
The seminar that considered the development of information and communication strategies contributes to improving the functioning and the acceptance of the scientific, technical and operational output of Veterinary Services, also recommended that improved global, regional, sub-regional and national veterinary governance must encompass communication policies, strategies and resources directed to the stakeholders and the general public.
So as to successfully impart information to farmers and the general public participants recommended that communication teams, including professional communicators, should be fully integrated as a component of the Veterinary Services and under the direct authority of the Veterinary Authorities. As professionals in the field and in liaison with veterinarians, they are expected to use their expertise to simplify and accurately disseminate vital information that is often embedded in technical jargon.
Another consideration for discussion was that the transparency and quality of communication and information management, in particular in crisis situations are issues of national, sub-regional, regional and global strategic significance. This translates to governments working together closely so as to successfully curb the spread of trans-boundary diseases.
It was brought to the fore that members and the OIE must have access to adequate human, technical and financial resources in order to manage information and communication at the national, regional, sub regional and global level. The major role of media in disseminating information as well as in raising public awareness and methodological training in this field were deemed indispensable.
Participants of the seminar where Dr. Bonaventure Mtei the OIE Sub Regional Representative for Southern Africa in his opening remarks read on his behalf by P. Bastiaensen said “animal health interventions are often complex in nature and as such our communication objectives should be simple and measurable, underpinned by clear statement of principles,” recommend that the importance of the process of communication must be among the priorities of OIE Regional and Sub Regional Representations, RAHCs and national Veterinary Services, particularly for disseminating information.
Dr. Mtei advised that animal health communication strategies need to deliver clear messages while “appropriate knowledge and skills are therefore required to develop key messages in our animal health interventions.”
The OIE adopted the recommendation that the organisation should continue to provide technical support to all Members particularly developing countries to strengthen the communication capacities in the Veterinary Services in order to continuously respond to national and international demands and to help Members to comply with OIE standards, guidelines and recommendations.
Botswana has a large zone which is recognised by the OIE as free from foot and mouth without vaccination. This international status granted by the OIE which is based on Botswana’s ability to implement and comply with OIE standards has allowed Botswana beef to enter sophisticated markets such as the European Union. The OIE continues to monitor this status.
In line with the recommendations OIE members should assess their needs taking into account the relevant criteria of the OIE PVS Tool to develop information and communication strategies within Veterinary Services to respond to both crisis situations and routine/long term requirements. Chief Veterinary Officers should request Government authorities to provide adequate organisational and budgetary support for the communication objectives of Veterinary Services, including communication training, in accordance with Resolution XXI of May 2001 voted by all OIE Members.
Respective National Veterinary Services communication teams should liaise closely and on a regular basis with OIE and other relevant international organisations, on specific events requiring coordination in information, dissemination and communication management. They should also liaise with their counterparts within the public health services for the coordination in information, dissemination or communication strategy and management on the prevention and control of zoonoses.
At national level National Veterinary Services must communicate with other relevant stakeholders such as private sector, producers and consumers. They should also identify and communicate to the OIE the data of the communication officer within the communication team of their national Veterinary Services, the team and the officer being nominated by and under the general direction of the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Climate change undermining future of agriculture
Gaborone - Botswana is currently on a drive to diversify the economy through the commercialisation of the agricultural sector a move adopted so as to attain national food security by 2016 and beyond while also mitigating the effects of the global economic recession but the global climatic change phenomenon looks poised to derail this impressive programme, writes Simba Nembaware.
The earth's climate is dynamic and is always changing through a natural cycle. These changes are studied by scientists who then advise on measures to be taken so as to mitigate the effects of this change. The scientists gather evidence from tree rings, pollen samples, ice cores, and sea sediments. The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories - those that are due to natural causes and those that are created by man.
There are a number of natural factors responsible for climate change. Some of the more prominent ones are continental drift, volcanoes, ocean currents, the earth's tilt, and comets and meteorites. The separation of the landmasses (continental drift) changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate. When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, dust, and ash into the atmosphere. Although the volcanic activity may last only a few days, yet the large volumes of gases and ash can influence climatic patterns for years.
Human causes of climate change are born out of industrialisation. Natural resources are being used extensively for construction, industries, transport, and consumption. Consumerism (our increasing want for material things) has increased by leaps and bounds, creating mountains of waste. Also, our population has increased to an incredible extent. All this has contributed to a rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas supply most of the energy needed to run vehicles generate electricity for industries, households, etc. The energy sector is responsible for about ¾ of the carbon dioxide emissions, 1/5 of the methane emissions and a large quantity of nitrous oxide. It also produces nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide which are not greenhouse gases but do have an influence on the chemical cycles in the atmosphere that produce or destroy greenhouse gases.
The United Nations climate panel says rich nations, blamed by poorer countries for emitting most of the harmful greenhouse gases, should cut emissions between 25-40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations held in Thailand, one of the final forums for discussions on climate before the December 2009 World Summit on climate in Copenhagen, highlighted the need for adequate financing to assist developing countries in meeting the challenges of climate change.
Climate change has resulted in the prevalence of the El Nino phenomenon which on its own is responsible for wild weather, droughts, floods and other extreme events. As a consequence of global warming due to climate change; rising temperatures, a shift in seasons, and extreme weather are forecasted by experts to cut output in some areas and wipe out crops entirely in others. Excessive rainfalls and flooding do not only result in loss of crops and livestock but also leads to loss of human lives. And what exacerbates the plight of the human race is that world breadbaskets like Brazil are also affected.
Brazil is the leading exporter of coffee, beef, soybeans, orange juice, and other farm products but these are expected to suffer as temperatures continue to soar. “Only one cash crop stands to gain: warmer temperatures will double the area suitable for sugar cane as early as 2020,” says Hilton Silveira Pinto and Eduardo Assad, who agronomists at the University of Campinas in Sao Paulo state and the government's agriculture research institute, Embrapa, respectively.
A study by the Washington – based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) financed by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank notes that climate change may cut corn, wheat and rice yields across developing countries by 2050 thereby boosting prices and causing hunger. The report notes that as a consequence there will be 25 million more underfed children by 2050. The report predicts improved farming conditions in developed world where a yield increase of between 2.4 percent and 3.1 percent in rain-fed wheat is projected for Canada, China and northern Russia.
In Southern Africa, a recent meteorological report by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, projects temperatures to rise by 10% at least by 2060 with 4% being the global average. This is severe as experts note that even slight changes in temperature or precipitation can be devastating for the flowering, growth and harvest of crops. Livestock also suffers as animal fodder is processed from part of the wheat, barley, maize, sorghum and other cereals whose growth will be curtailed by the climate change.
James Thurlow, a researcher with IFPRI shared with irinnews that "If you take into account the worst 10-year rainfall period, then Zambia's economy could lose as much as $7.1 billion in the next 10 years and drive 648,000 people below the poverty line.” He noted that extreme changes in rainfall and temperature in the past 10 years have already lowered GDP by 0.4 percent every year. The southern and central regions of Zambia, where people were experiencing climate shocks such as droughts and floods, could be among the worst affected.
The Weekender, a South African publication quotes Michael Sanderson, co-author of the Met Office report revealing that “food production will be adversely affected.” Sanderson highlighted that the exact impact on South Africa was not discussed in the study but he noted that in the region “the temperature rise will decrease crop productivity and increase the risk of hunger. Some plants and animal species will become extinct. Freshwater supplies will be reduced, and water quality is likely to be adversely affected. There may be a forced migration of people to more habitable areas.”
In this time of crisis, technology can help farmers adapt to climate change, but the long and short of it is that the bulk of farmers from the developing world can not afford these new technologies while also their inability to use machines increases labour costs. For most farmers irrigation is expensive and when they manage to set up irrigation systems, they have to face the reality of the scarcity of water sources. In the developed world where water issues are not a major concern for many farmers, scientists forecast that genetically modified plants will have difficulties in adapting to temperature increases beyond just 2 degrees Celsius.
But there are scientists like Edson Silva, director at the Parana state research company Epagri who are optimistic. Silva, whose company has exported a drought-resistant apple variety from Brazil to France, Germany among other Western countries, is confident that science can provide 90 percent of the answers to climate change.
Speaking at the opening of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) 2009 Regional Policy Dialogue and Annual General Meeting held recently in Maputo Mozambique, FANRPAN Chairman and Secretary General of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya said Africa’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture has left her vulnerable to changing climatic conditions that call for adaptation and mitigation measures.
“Mitigation is a sure way of survival for our farmers. As we head to Copenhagen, Africa must speak with one voice in having agriculture – the basis of our development – included in the final text of the Copenhagen deal. There should be no deal without agriculture. Our farmers must be helped to better respond to climate change without depriving them of their livelihoods,” said Ngwenya who also noted that Africa has for too long depended on foreign researchers hence the need to improve agricultural research and systems to disseminate appropriate new technologies and supporting farmers to adopt them.
While calling on Africa to modernise agriculture, Ngwenya said, “Africa’s budget priorities should move from defence and administration costs to agriculture and research. Research alone is not enough. Without access to resources, agriculture will not take off; hence it is critical that our small holder farmers have access to financial resources to upscale agriculture development.”
The earth's climate is dynamic and is always changing through a natural cycle. These changes are studied by scientists who then advise on measures to be taken so as to mitigate the effects of this change. The scientists gather evidence from tree rings, pollen samples, ice cores, and sea sediments. The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories - those that are due to natural causes and those that are created by man.
There are a number of natural factors responsible for climate change. Some of the more prominent ones are continental drift, volcanoes, ocean currents, the earth's tilt, and comets and meteorites. The separation of the landmasses (continental drift) changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate. When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, dust, and ash into the atmosphere. Although the volcanic activity may last only a few days, yet the large volumes of gases and ash can influence climatic patterns for years.
Human causes of climate change are born out of industrialisation. Natural resources are being used extensively for construction, industries, transport, and consumption. Consumerism (our increasing want for material things) has increased by leaps and bounds, creating mountains of waste. Also, our population has increased to an incredible extent. All this has contributed to a rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas supply most of the energy needed to run vehicles generate electricity for industries, households, etc. The energy sector is responsible for about ¾ of the carbon dioxide emissions, 1/5 of the methane emissions and a large quantity of nitrous oxide. It also produces nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide which are not greenhouse gases but do have an influence on the chemical cycles in the atmosphere that produce or destroy greenhouse gases.
The United Nations climate panel says rich nations, blamed by poorer countries for emitting most of the harmful greenhouse gases, should cut emissions between 25-40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations held in Thailand, one of the final forums for discussions on climate before the December 2009 World Summit on climate in Copenhagen, highlighted the need for adequate financing to assist developing countries in meeting the challenges of climate change.
Climate change has resulted in the prevalence of the El Nino phenomenon which on its own is responsible for wild weather, droughts, floods and other extreme events. As a consequence of global warming due to climate change; rising temperatures, a shift in seasons, and extreme weather are forecasted by experts to cut output in some areas and wipe out crops entirely in others. Excessive rainfalls and flooding do not only result in loss of crops and livestock but also leads to loss of human lives. And what exacerbates the plight of the human race is that world breadbaskets like Brazil are also affected.
Brazil is the leading exporter of coffee, beef, soybeans, orange juice, and other farm products but these are expected to suffer as temperatures continue to soar. “Only one cash crop stands to gain: warmer temperatures will double the area suitable for sugar cane as early as 2020,” says Hilton Silveira Pinto and Eduardo Assad, who agronomists at the University of Campinas in Sao Paulo state and the government's agriculture research institute, Embrapa, respectively.
A study by the Washington – based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) financed by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank notes that climate change may cut corn, wheat and rice yields across developing countries by 2050 thereby boosting prices and causing hunger. The report notes that as a consequence there will be 25 million more underfed children by 2050. The report predicts improved farming conditions in developed world where a yield increase of between 2.4 percent and 3.1 percent in rain-fed wheat is projected for Canada, China and northern Russia.
In Southern Africa, a recent meteorological report by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, projects temperatures to rise by 10% at least by 2060 with 4% being the global average. This is severe as experts note that even slight changes in temperature or precipitation can be devastating for the flowering, growth and harvest of crops. Livestock also suffers as animal fodder is processed from part of the wheat, barley, maize, sorghum and other cereals whose growth will be curtailed by the climate change.
James Thurlow, a researcher with IFPRI shared with irinnews that "If you take into account the worst 10-year rainfall period, then Zambia's economy could lose as much as $7.1 billion in the next 10 years and drive 648,000 people below the poverty line.” He noted that extreme changes in rainfall and temperature in the past 10 years have already lowered GDP by 0.4 percent every year. The southern and central regions of Zambia, where people were experiencing climate shocks such as droughts and floods, could be among the worst affected.
The Weekender, a South African publication quotes Michael Sanderson, co-author of the Met Office report revealing that “food production will be adversely affected.” Sanderson highlighted that the exact impact on South Africa was not discussed in the study but he noted that in the region “the temperature rise will decrease crop productivity and increase the risk of hunger. Some plants and animal species will become extinct. Freshwater supplies will be reduced, and water quality is likely to be adversely affected. There may be a forced migration of people to more habitable areas.”
In this time of crisis, technology can help farmers adapt to climate change, but the long and short of it is that the bulk of farmers from the developing world can not afford these new technologies while also their inability to use machines increases labour costs. For most farmers irrigation is expensive and when they manage to set up irrigation systems, they have to face the reality of the scarcity of water sources. In the developed world where water issues are not a major concern for many farmers, scientists forecast that genetically modified plants will have difficulties in adapting to temperature increases beyond just 2 degrees Celsius.
But there are scientists like Edson Silva, director at the Parana state research company Epagri who are optimistic. Silva, whose company has exported a drought-resistant apple variety from Brazil to France, Germany among other Western countries, is confident that science can provide 90 percent of the answers to climate change.
Speaking at the opening of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) 2009 Regional Policy Dialogue and Annual General Meeting held recently in Maputo Mozambique, FANRPAN Chairman and Secretary General of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya said Africa’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture has left her vulnerable to changing climatic conditions that call for adaptation and mitigation measures.
“Mitigation is a sure way of survival for our farmers. As we head to Copenhagen, Africa must speak with one voice in having agriculture – the basis of our development – included in the final text of the Copenhagen deal. There should be no deal without agriculture. Our farmers must be helped to better respond to climate change without depriving them of their livelihoods,” said Ngwenya who also noted that Africa has for too long depended on foreign researchers hence the need to improve agricultural research and systems to disseminate appropriate new technologies and supporting farmers to adopt them.
While calling on Africa to modernise agriculture, Ngwenya said, “Africa’s budget priorities should move from defence and administration costs to agriculture and research. Research alone is not enough. Without access to resources, agriculture will not take off; hence it is critical that our small holder farmers have access to financial resources to upscale agriculture development.”
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