I haven’t looked back
My name is Agnes Kalya and I am a farmer in Mukono District, Uganda.
For years, I struggled to grow enough food to provide for my family. Then one day I learned about a new crop of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, specifically bred to thrive here in Africa. Developed using natural, traditional plant breeding techniques, the sweet potato is loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin A, which help give children a healthier start in life.
Thanks to the training I received I am now able to sell my orange sweet potatoes and, for the first time, can help support my family and ensure my children attend school. As a mother this makes me so proud.
I haven’t looked back since.
Innovations like the vitamin A rich sweet potato can make a huge impact in fighting hunger, but we farmers need the support of world leaders to make these and other nutrient-rich crops more widespread.
Please join me and add your name to ONE’s petition.
The petition reads:
Dear world leaders,
Please make measurable commitments to reduce chronic malnutrition for 25 million kids by 2016 so they can reach their full potential.
I am now working myself out of poverty and helping others in my community with what I have learned. But we need your help. Ahead of World Food day on October 16th please join me and help us grow a better future.
Thank you,
Agnes Kalya
Farmer and ONE member
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
15/10/2012 at 2:46 pm
Who has done the genetic engineering? Do these contain pesticides? Is this legit or is it manufactured to sell pesticides and create positive press for Monsanto?
15/10/2012 at 3:59 pm
I researched this several months ago and could find no connection to Monsanto nor any genetic engineering other than those used by farmers for centuries to select for certain properties such as hardiness in difficult climates.
15/10/2012 at 7:39 pm
I don’t know why people assume that every improved crop released has something to do with Monsanto or that it must be a transgenic crop. There is a network of international research centers that are part of the CGIAR that have been working away for decades releasing improved crops such as orange sweet potato, as public good for the benefit of all people. The sweet potato was also developed using conventional-breeding methods, again, as farmers have been doing for thousands of years.
16/10/2012 at 2:03 pm
The reason I assumed it might be Monsanto is that they are nefarious in their promoting themselves as a humanitarian corporation desirous of feeding the world and this is consistent with the image they seek to promote–glad to hear that Monsanto had nothing to do with this!