PLANT Supports and Promotes the Rights of Indigenous Communities and Smallholder Farmers in Brazilian Amazonia and sub-Saharan Africa
PLANTaffirms the inherent relationship between food sovereignty, ecology and the human rights of indigenous peoples and smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Brazilian Amazonia. It addresses the fundamental need for Food and Seed Sovereignty by putting culture back into the ‘how” and “for whom” food is sourced among the planet's most vulnerable peoples. That is, agriculture as understood in terms of agroEcology, ethical rights and Earth Jurisprudence to control and access healthy food as a fundamental human right.
In that light, PLANTserves as a platform for traditional people’s rights, especially those who suffer deprivation of land and hereditary resources, cultural erosion and poverty. PLANT seeks to promote and strengthen traditional people’s voices on agroEcology, biodiversity, Food and Seed Sovereignty, and traditional knowledge.
Global trade and development policies strongly favor an industrial/chemical/technological model of agriculture. In contrast, PLANT’s agroEcological initiative is crucially important because significant numbers of farmers in the Global South, agronomists, biologists, medical researchers, climate experts, economists, development practitioners and nutritionists support an ecological approach to agriculture as a viable, effective and necessary way to address global hunger, Food and Seed Sovereignty, sustainable agriculture, secure livelihoods for smallholders, women’s rights, environmental health and the threats due to climate change.
In-depth research such as the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (see Agroecology Resource Center/Reports) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food's analysisof agroEcology’s benefits to developing country farmers, among others, strongly back the merits of this approach. PLANT stands firmly with indigenous peoples and smallholder farmers who fight for a holistic model of agriculture that combines traditional knowledge, human rights and Earth Jurisprudence.
PLANTaims to channel indigenous and smallholder voices directly to decision makers and shapers globally. It has three main thrusts: hands-on projects, public policy and research & analysis.
Hands-on:In Brazilian Amazonia, PLANT is working with its local partners to mobilize agroEcology networks. This effort engages agroEcological practitioners and trainers to form programs in ecological farming and gardening for household and income needs in both rural and urban settings. The communities involved include smallholder farmers and indigenous people forced into marginal lives by deforestation and land grabbing. PLANT is exploring similar initiatives in Africa.
Public Policy:PLANT’s goal is to sensitize and gain support among lawmakers, policy leaders, academics, NGOs, think tanks and the international media on behalf of traditional people's and smallholder farmers' rights, agroEcology, food and seed sovereignty, Earth Jurisprudence and eco-justice.
Research and analysis: PLANT documents, analyzes and shares information about the struggle of indigenous communities and smallholder farmers for Food and Seed Sovereignty, while preserving their age-old eco-systems. PLANT (Partners for the Land & Agricultural Needs of Traditional Peoples) Transitioning to Ireland Contact us at: plantpartners@gmail.com
PLANT(Partners for the Land & Agricultural Needs of Traditional Peoples) Transitioning to Ireland Contact us at: plantpartners@gmail.com