Study Tour to Venezuela: Food Sovereignty

Interested in Agricultural/Land Reform, Food Sovereignty, Agroecology and Sociopolitical transformation? Venezuela is currently perusing incredible shifts in agricultural policy and land reform, striving toward full national food sovereignty, the belief that a nation has the right to define its own agricultural character in order to better feed its population and conserve cultural heritage and biological diversity. From July 10 to the 22nd a small delegation will be traveling to Venezuela to experience first-hand this titanic sociopolitical and agroecological transformation. The tour will examine issues of land reform, urbanization issues, rural development and food sovereignty within a dynamic political context. Venezuela is an outstanding example of a country that strives to ensure its citizens’ right to food while bolstering its domestic agriculture sector, while vigorously exploring the adoption of organic and agroecological farming methods. Additionally, the course will explore other areas of social transformation, including education, healthcare, and direct citizen participation in the political process.

Activities will include visits to urban and rural social programs, newly expropriated farms, fishing communities, community organizing sites and media outlets (with opportunities for radio and TV appearances). We’ll be interacting directly with farmers, community leaders, government officials and peasant leaders. Cost to participate in the delegation: $1,100


http://venezuelanalysis.com/event/6142

I wonder if anyone will ask them about this:

According to the document, the government will import 4.9 million tons of food (raw sugar, green coffee, white and yellow corn, among other items) worth USD 3.9 billion.

This amount represents a 47.71 percent increase in food imports compared with USD 2.6 billion that CASA spent in 2010, according to the 2010 Annual reports and accounts of the Ministry of Food.

It also means a huge jump with regard to the tons of food purchased in 2010. In the previous fiscal year, CASA bought over 3 million tons of food. This means that the government will purchase 58.31 percent more food in 2011.

The government approved "USD 4 billion to import food even though they said that we were going to break all production records. (This money) is used to generate jobs overseas and bring ruin to the rural areas of the country," said Venezuelan opposition deputy José Manuel González when he submitted the document in a press conference.

http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/06/09/food-imports-by-the-govn-t-to-soar-5831-percent-in-2011.shtml

and the price covers 3/4 of all meals!!!!

http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/216021/Economía/Continúan-fallas-de-suministro-de-aceite-de-maíz


El jueves, Empresas Polar informó, en un boletín, que mantendrá la producción de aceite Mazeite, pese a que el precio regulado en 7,80 bolívares no cubre el costo de la materia prima para su elaboración, el cual equivale a 8,04 bolívares.

Thursday, Polar, in a bulletin, will maintain the production of corn oil, due to the regulated price of Bs7.80 does not cover the cost of producing, which is Bs8.04

Los consumidores afirman que por la falta de productos deben recorrer varias cadenas para completar el mercado.

Consumers affirm for the lack of products they must stop in various chains to complete their shopping.

if the uproar we would here if this happened in a country perceived as right leaning.