COVID-19 and Kenyan Agriculture

COVID-19 has impacted everyone around the globe including those in Kenya engaged with agriculture. There have certainly been challenges, but also success stories involving innovation and determination. Three stories from around Kenya are shared below. We encourage you to watch all three short videos and engage with others utilizing the discussion points provided. 

Mwatate Smallholder Tomato Farmers

Taveta Smallholder Banana Farmers

Voi Smallholder Farmers and Micro Gardens

Discussion Points

• What are the challenges facing smallholder farmers in Kenya as a result of COVID-19?
• How are smallholder farmers in Kenya being innovative to overcome challenges they are facing due to COVID-19?
• As a result of watching the videos what surprised you? What did you learn? What were your big takeaways?
• Is COVID-19 impacting farmers and agriculture in your home area? How does what you are seeing (or not seeing) in your area relate to the situation in Kenya?

Global Agricultural and Food Markets

The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations launches September 23rd. In leading up to it's launch a couple personnel with the FAO highlight some key points and challenges facing us. We encourage you to watch the linked videos below and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Interview with Maximo Torero

Interview with George Rapsomanikis

Discussion Points

• After watching the two videos what stuck with you? What was alarming? Why?
• What were some of the food/hunger challenges mentioned in the videos?
• Why is global trade so important to our food systems? What is the benefit of reducing trade barriers for the food system?
• If we reduce trade barriers for the food system is there the possibility for unintended consequences? Does this look different depending which country you call home? Explain your thoughts?

World Crop Production

We often hear that agriculture has a global impact, but do we take time to dig into things deeper? This week we highlight the monthly report from the United States Department of Agriculture looking at World Agricultural Production. Past reports can be found here. We encourage you to look through the linked report below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe!

World Agricultural Production May 2020

Discussion Points

• What piece of information or graph did you find most interesting/intriguing and why?
• The tables towards the end of the report highlight 16 different crops being produced around the world. Of the 16 crops, 12 crops are seeing an increase in production. Take a further look at these tables. What factors could be contributing to these increases? What does this mean for global markets? 
• The report shows increased production for many crops. In reality, most parts of the world (but not all) produce enough food to feed their country and collectively feed the world. If this is the case why do we find individuals that are food insecure everywhere in the world? What can we do to combat these challenges?

Global Agriculture Watch

There is a lot happening in agriculture markets around the world. A link below provides a look around the globe concerning agriculture supply and demand and potential impacts on markets. While it focuses on impacts to the United States markets you can apply the information to all markets around the world. We encourage you to read the article linked below and utilize the discussion points provided to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities around the globe.

Global Game-Changers

Discussion Points

• Brazil and Argentina agriculture look to have great impact on United States markets. What will these impacts be and why respectively for each country?
• Outside of Brazil and Argentina of the countries and scenarios listed which do you feel will have the most positive impact on your home country and why?
• Outside of Brazil and Argentina of the countries and scenarios listed which do you feel will have the most negative impact on your home country and why?
• Which country's scenario do you find the most intriguing and why?

Global Food Prices Drop

We have all heard the reports of a bunker crop coming and low commodity prices. Yet another sign of this is a large decline in global food prices. Linked below is an article that hits on this decline in food prices and examines many reasons. Read the linked article and use the discussion points to guide conversations around the globe in various settings!

Global Food Prices Drop Most in 7 Years

Discussion Points

• What causes were noted as reasons for declining food and commodity prices around the globe? See how many you can identify. 
• Explain how this article stresses the global network we are all a part of in agriculture.
• How long has it been since we have seen declines like this?
• What are your predictions in relation to food and commodity prices over the next year? Over the next five years? Be sure to support your responses.
• How do crops look in your home area? How will this effect global food prices?
• Are low food prices a good or bad thing? Look at this from many different perspectives.