Giving Thanks to Asia's Smallholder Farmers this Lunar New Year Promoted by CropLife Asia
27 Gennaio 2017 - 4:30AM
JCN Newswire (English)
SINGAPORE, Jan 27, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - As Asia and the world
prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year, CropLife Asia encouraged
those ringing in the 'Year of the Rooster' to remember the
smallholder farmers and their immense contributions to ensuring a
safe, sustainable food supply for the region and world - and who
grow many of the foods we'll enjoy during the festive season.
The Lunar New Year, also known in Chinese culture as the Spring
Festival, is widely celebrated across Asia. The history of the
festival is deeply rooted in the cyclical pattern of agriculture in
ancient China, with farmers relying on the lunar calendar to
predict seasonal changes for crops.
"The traditions and customs around how we mark the Lunar New Year
in Asia are all unique depending on where it's celebrated - but the
common denominator is the good food we all enjoy with family and
friends at this time of year," said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive
Director of CropLife Asia. "From the mandarin oranges traditionally
shared during visitations, to the yu sheng (raw fish salad) of
Singapore, the xoi (sticky rice) enjoyed during Tet in Vietnam, the
tteokguk (rice-cake soup) synonymous with celebrations in Korea,
and a host of other seasonal culinary treats - the importance of
food in the festivities is universal."
"What's often forgotten, however, is that there are hundreds of
millions of smallholder farmers in Asia who make this all possible.
These farmers behind the food deserve our gratitude, appreciation,
and support - not just during Lunar New Year, but year round.
"CropLife Asia and the plant science industry remain committed to
enabling and empowering Asia's smallholder farmers to ensure a safe
and sustainable food supply for our region. This commitment
includes ensuring their access to the tools and technology needed
to produce more food for a growing world with fewer available
resources."
It is estimated that Asia is home to roughly 85% of the world's 525
million smallholder farmers. The ASEAN region alone accounts for
more than 100 million of these men and women growers.
The world's population is projected to exceed nine billion
inhabitants by the year 2050, and Asia alone is expected to have
roughly one billion more people living within it. The Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has also
estimated that roughly two-thirds of the world's hungry presently
live in Asia and the Pacific.
Meanwhile, growers around the world will need to produce as much as
70% more food than today to meet the expected needs of our
population in 2050. The numerous innovations of plant biotechnology
and crop protection are key in driving sustainable production of a
safe and nutritious food supply to feed our growing population.
About CropLife Asia
CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization
of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science
industry. We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is
food security enabled by innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia
supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent
and is led by nine member companies at the forefront of crop
protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development.
For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org.
Source: CropLife Asia
Contact:
Duke Hipp
Director, Communications and Outreach
CropLife Asia
Tel: +65 6221 1615
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org
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