BCFN YES! 2015

Food security according to the 1996 World Food Summit, is when people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a healthy, active life. Marginalization of minority groups compromises their access to food. The Mbororo are a minority ethnic group in Cameroon with a predominantly semi-nomadic lifestyle making them food insecure. Particularly vulnerable are women who are resource poor and lack access to food physically and economically. This project aims to employ an innovative upland farming approach in establishing an economically viable, eco-friendly gardening system for the Mbororo women; this will be reinforced with the value chain concept. Collective action would ensure higher bargaining power and reduced transaction costs. Higher incomes accruing to the women would improve their economic situation and consequently, their access to food.

The Amazon is one of the richest ecosystems in the World and its services are fundamental for the global equilibrium. In the last decades, deforestation has been occurring due to human activities, among which food production is the major cause. Its role has been particularly evident along connecting infrastructures, like the Inter-Oceanic highway. Its Peruvian stretch was recently finalized, and the regions crossed by it have become more attractive in terms of trades. Consequently, deforestation in these areas has been increasing. Analog forestry is proposed here as an alternative development model. It is a sustainable agricultural technique, which involves several plant species and maintains the same structure and ecosystem services of the virgin forest. It allows local farmers to make a living from their land without compromising its ecosystem. In collaboration with ArBio, we will implement the analog forestry in Madre de Dios region.

Weight excess is a concern that has significantly increased in Brazil and in the world. In addition to this fact, the high amount of pesticides used in food production especially in Brazil not only has a direct impact on people's health, but also on the environmental health, impacting directly on a sustainable life on the planet. The following project proposes to continue the development of one game. Until now, three prototypes have been tested in children and specialists. For concretization, it needs to pass through the stages of production and distribution. It is believed that the proposed tool is able to contribute positively to this scenario, by stimulating knowledge and changing habits in an interactive and challenging way. This can be achieved by instigating the questioning of children and young people about the impact on their health and the health of the planet by consuming certain food or food product.