By Chima Christian
One question has occupied my mind: How do you sustainably produce food for those who can scarcely afford it without compromising their health?
For example, to weed 5 hectares of land for the number of times that is needed before the crop reaches maturity, a farmer has to decide between manual labour, mulching, mechanical (where they’re available) and then the use of herbicides.
First, to assemble a team of young people that will agree to weed a farm is increasingly becoming a herculean task in Nigeria. And then the cost of that effort. The farmer finds it easier and way cheaper to just buy a chemical, spray it and get his products out. But the long term health of the consumer has been impacted by that choice.
If he insists on using only healthy options, the average cost-conscious Nigerian consumer cannot afford his produce.
They in fact gleefully prefer the alternatives. He’s now left with the option; should I just export to consumers in other climes who have higher purchasing power or just produce for the super rich of my country? What then happens to the poor? Who produces food for them?
This is just one out of the many executive decisions the farmer has to take on a daily basis. And to take this decision, he has to consult nothing but his set of values. You see why it’s impossible to sustain any system when God, morality and conscience has been successfully removed.
Well, today is one of those tough days. Please pray for me.
Africa’s morning is at hand.
Chima Christian is Co-founder/CEO, Teva Foods
