natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Africa is the only region in the world where per capita food production has been falling consistently for the past 40 years.
Africa is the only region in the world where per capita food production has been falling consistently for the past 40 years.
By 2015, it is estimated that Africa will be able to feed less than half its population.
By 2015, it is estimated that Africa will be able to feed less than half its population.
Africa currently imports 25 percent of its food.
Africa currently imports 25 percent of its food.
Africa will have to increase its agricultural production substantially to meet its needs in 2015 even to maintain the levels of 1995.
Africa will have to increase its agricultural production substantially to meet its needs in 2015 even to maintain the levels of 1995.
In other words, Africa is in urgent need of a Green Revolution!
In other words, Africa is in urgent need of a Green Revolution!
The recurrent food crisis in Africa has multiple causes, but the main issue is not lack of food, it is lack of access to food.
The recurrent food crisis in Africa has multiple causes, but the main issue is not lack of food, it is lack of access to food.
Technically, doubling or trebling the food production in Africa can be done easily.
Technically, doubling or trebling the food production in Africa can be done easily.
But the import of cheap heavily subsidised food from rich countries make many African farmers uncompetitive even in their own home markets.
But the import of cheap heavily subsidised food from rich countries make many African farmers uncompetitive even in their own home markets.
So a key issue is the policies of leaders in the rich countries.
So a key issue is the policies of leaders in the rich countries.
Subsidised exports of surplus agriculture products from heavily subsidised production in rich countries are destroying markets in poor countries.
Subsidised exports of surplus agriculture products from heavily subsidised production in rich countries are destroying markets in poor countries.
A successful outcome of the long-lasting multilateral trade negotiations in the Doha round will hopefully imply changes in these policies.
A successful outcome of the long-lasting multilateral trade negotiations in the Doha round will hopefully imply changes in these policies.
Food security in Malawi
Food security in Malawi
From January 2005 onwards national crop production in Malawi fell to its lowest levels since 1993/94.
From January 2005 onwards national crop production in Malawi fell to its lowest levels since 1993/94.
Action was taken.
Action was taken.
The Government and development partners implemented a coordinated emergency food aid response across the country from June 2005 onwards.
The Government and development partners implemented a coordinated emergency food aid response across the country from June 2005 onwards.
Approximately 4.9 million people received food in March 2006 which was the total number of people in need.
Approximately 4.9 million people received food in March 2006 which was the total number of people in need.
This accounted for over 40 percent of the population.
This accounted for over 40 percent of the population.
The relative success of the humanitarian response is notable.
The relative success of the humanitarian response is notable.
There were no hunger related deaths and for the most part food was transferred on time.
There were no hunger related deaths and for the most part food was transferred on time.
The Government took a very strong leadership role in addition to being the largest contributor.
The Government took a very strong leadership role in addition to being the largest contributor.
Donor support was quickly available and substantial.
Donor support was quickly available and substantial.
A humanitarian disaster was indeed avoided in Malawi.
A humanitarian disaster was indeed avoided in Malawi.
Malawi is in the middle of 2007 a country with an abundance of food, widespread household self sufficiency in maize and grain prices so low that they are out of the reach of only the most destitute.
Malawi is in the middle of 2007 a country with an abundance of food, widespread household self sufficiency in maize and grain prices so low that they are out of the reach of only the most destitute.
Malawi has been transformed from a food deficit country to one which is able to export hundreds of thousands of tons of truly surplus food to its neighbours.
Malawi has been transformed from a food deficit country to one which is able to export hundreds of thousands of tons of truly surplus food to its neighbours.
All of this because of the courage of the Government of Malawi to give access to the majority of its farmers to adequate quantities of the two factors which have transformed agriculture across the rest of the world, namely fertiliser and improved seeds.
All of this because of the courage of the Government of Malawi to give access to the majority of its farmers to adequate quantities of the two factors which have transformed agriculture across the rest of the world, namely fertiliser and improved seeds.
A green revolution
A green revolution
We are honoured to have the Nobel Peace Laureate Norman Borlaug with us at this conference.
We are honoured to have the Nobel Peace Laureate Norman Borlaug with us at this conference.
He is a living proof that it is possible to make a Green revolution and to feed millions through improved agricultural methods.
He is a living proof that it is possible to make a Green revolution and to feed millions through improved agricultural methods.
But neither technology nor fertilizer alone can solve Africa’s food insecurity.
But neither technology nor fertilizer alone can solve Africa’s food insecurity.
Africa’s “green revolution”, must be based on an ecological approach and extensive support to local farmers supplying their own families and local markets.
Africa’s “green revolution”, must be based on an ecological approach and extensive support to local farmers supplying their own families and local markets.
There is an urgent need for new policies both in developed countries and in African countries, but it has to be comprehensive policies that take everything from production to consumption into consideration.
There is an urgent need for new policies both in developed countries and in African countries, but it has to be comprehensive policies that take everything from production to consumption into consideration.
Agriculture has a crucial role to play in producing food, in generating jobs and contributing to livelihoods and economic development.
Agriculture has a crucial role to play in producing food, in generating jobs and contributing to livelihoods and economic development.
A revitalisation of agriculture is necessary if we are to succeed in reducing poverty and hunger.
A revitalisation of agriculture is necessary if we are to succeed in reducing poverty and hunger.
Norway is not an important agricultural producer.
Norway is not an important agricultural producer.
We do not export agricultural products and our markets have for long been open to imports of agricultural products from the Least Developed Countries in Africa through a generous System of Preferences.
We do not export agricultural products and our markets have for long been open to imports of agricultural products from the Least Developed Countries in Africa through a generous System of Preferences.
The problem has however been that African countries have not been able to produce enough, neither for domestic consumption nor for exports.
The problem has however been that African countries have not been able to produce enough, neither for domestic consumption nor for exports.
We do not have ambitions in terms of trying to export agricultural expertise, but we do know something about the importance of food security for the development in a country.
We do not have ambitions in terms of trying to export agricultural expertise, but we do know something about the importance of food security for the development in a country.
I am also very glad that we have some Norwegian enterprises that show interest in investing in developing countries and particularly in the agricultural sector.
I am also very glad that we have some Norwegian enterprises that show interest in investing in developing countries and particularly in the agricultural sector.
I would like to commend the Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara, formerly Norsk Hydro, an enterprise that has been instrumental for agricultural production in very many countries, including in Norway.
I would like to commend the Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara, formerly Norsk Hydro, an enterprise that has been instrumental for agricultural production in very many countries, including in Norway.
Norway may, through NORAD and Norfund, become a part of this strategic alliance in one or two African countries.
Norway may, through NORAD and Norfund, become a part of this strategic alliance in one or two African countries.
I hope their cooperation with civil society can contribute to making these efforts target the real issues.
I hope their cooperation with civil society can contribute to making these efforts target the real issues.
I urge civil society to engage in this.
I urge civil society to engage in this.
Public Private Partnership
Public Private Partnership
The fight against poverty cannot be won by the efforts of the public sector alone.
The fight against poverty cannot be won by the efforts of the public sector alone.
In the future the combined efforts of the private and public sector will be increasingly important in lifting people out of poverty, be this within the agricultural sector or other sectors.
In the future the combined efforts of the private and public sector will be increasingly important in lifting people out of poverty, be this within the agricultural sector or other sectors.
Norway wishes to pursue the opportunities that partnering with relevant private sector actors in Norway may hold, yet as a small country we can clearly only play a small role in the face of the huge efforts required to meet the tremendous needs that exist in Africa, and we therefore encourage other donor-countries to explore the possibilities of similar partnerships in dialogue with the private sector in their own countries.
Norway wishes to pursue the opportunities that partnering with relevant private sector actors in Norway may hold, yet as a small country we can clearly only play a small role in the face of the huge efforts required to meet the tremendous needs that exist in Africa, and we therefore encourage other donor-countries to explore the possibilities of similar partnerships in dialogue with the private sector in their own countries.
The role of women in economic development
The role of women in economic development
The overarching goal of the Millennium Development Goals is poverty reduction.
The overarching goal of the Millennium Development Goals is poverty reduction.
This goal can only be achieved if we strengthen the participation of women in economic development.
This goal can only be achieved if we strengthen the participation of women in economic development.
Women represents the majority of the poor, whilst at the same time carrying a heavier work-burden than men, not least in unpaid labour in the home or the local community and in subsistence food production and the informal sector.
Women represents the majority of the poor, whilst at the same time carrying a heavier work-burden than men, not least in unpaid labour in the home or the local community and in subsistence food production and the informal sector.
This clearly contributes to welfare and economic development but is rarely quantified or part of national statistics.
This clearly contributes to welfare and economic development but is rarely quantified or part of national statistics.
And women furthermore often do not have control over pay from their own labours.
And women furthermore often do not have control over pay from their own labours.
The greatest gains countries can achieve, economically as well as politically, come with empowering women, ensuring equal opportunity, health care, and increasing the ratio of women’s active participation in working life.
The greatest gains countries can achieve, economically as well as politically, come with empowering women, ensuring equal opportunity, health care, and increasing the ratio of women’s active participation in working life.
Women’s economic productivity in Africa has traditionally been limited by a lack of access to resources, in the form of tools and new technology, credit, education and vocational training and markets.
Women’s economic productivity in Africa has traditionally been limited by a lack of access to resources, in the form of tools and new technology, credit, education and vocational training and markets.
Violence against women is also very damaging to their full economic participation and furthermore a good indicator as to the social status of women in society.
Violence against women is also very damaging to their full economic participation and furthermore a good indicator as to the social status of women in society.
Lack of respect and recognition of women’s role and potential as economic actors represents a hindrance to economic development on all levels in all countries.
Lack of respect and recognition of women’s role and potential as economic actors represents a hindrance to economic development on all levels in all countries.
And from a poverty perspective, particularly developing countries has much to lose if they do not fully integrate this often untapped potential into their labour force on an equal standing with men, because the subsistence margins in these countries are at a minimum for the majority of the population.
And from a poverty perspective, particularly developing countries has much to lose if they do not fully integrate this often untapped potential into their labour force on an equal standing with men, because the subsistence margins in these countries are at a minimum for the majority of the population.
And furthermore, employment and economic development are important elements in creating peace and combating violence.
And furthermore, employment and economic development are important elements in creating peace and combating violence.
In the words of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia’: “For us, employment is synonymous with peace.”
In the words of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia’: “For us, employment is synonymous with peace.”
The climate challenge
The climate challenge
Finally, in this context I would like to raise another great concern of mine, which is climate change.
Finally, in this context I would like to raise another great concern of mine, which is climate change.
The world has finally realised that the climate change represents a serious threat to our survival.
The world has finally realised that the climate change represents a serious threat to our survival.
The paradox of global warming is that it is mainly a bi-product of the developed world’s wealth, but it hits the poorest countries hardest – those that have done the least to cause it.
The paradox of global warming is that it is mainly a bi-product of the developed world’s wealth, but it hits the poorest countries hardest – those that have done the least to cause it.
The poorest countries’ contribution to global warming is marginal, but the very fact that they are poor means that they are the least equipped to deal with the consequences.
The poorest countries’ contribution to global warming is marginal, but the very fact that they are poor means that they are the least equipped to deal with the consequences.
Climate change has dramatic impacts on agricultural land not least in developing countries.
Climate change has dramatic impacts on agricultural land not least in developing countries.
Many will have to adapt to farming in dryer climate, others to wetter conditions.
Many will have to adapt to farming in dryer climate, others to wetter conditions.
For some it will be the challenge of improved preparedness for natural disasters in the form of more frequent floods or hurricanes.
For some it will be the challenge of improved preparedness for natural disasters in the form of more frequent floods or hurricanes.
Assisting developing countries in adapting to climatic changes should be among our top priorities.
Assisting developing countries in adapting to climatic changes should be among our top priorities.
There is both a need for investments and transfer of technology
There is both a need for investments and transfer of technology
Conservation farming in Zambia
Conservation farming in Zambia
I recently visited Zambia.
I recently visited Zambia.
The Zambian Minister of agriculture told me: Climate change is already here – we have to adapt in order to secure long term sustainable agricultural production”.
The Zambian Minister of agriculture told me: Climate change is already here – we have to adapt in order to secure long term sustainable agricultural production”.
Zambia like many other developing countries in Africa is constantly challenged with the issue of food insecurity.
Zambia like many other developing countries in Africa is constantly challenged with the issue of food insecurity.
There is therefore a strong argument for investing resources in sound diversified farming systems that minimise the effects of drought, arrest environmental degradation and enhance food security.
There is therefore a strong argument for investing resources in sound diversified farming systems that minimise the effects of drought, arrest environmental degradation and enhance food security.
Conservation farming is increasingly recognized as one such farming system that addresses the challenges of climatic change.
Conservation farming is increasingly recognized as one such farming system that addresses the challenges of climatic change.
The promotion of conservation farming is duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of Zambia as an important vehicle to address environmental degradation, food insecurity and economic growth.
The promotion of conservation farming is duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of Zambia as an important vehicle to address environmental degradation, food insecurity and economic growth.
This is reflected in Zambia's new Development Plan.
This is reflected in Zambia's new Development Plan.
The major output from this on a large scale demonstrates that rural families in Zambia can feed themselves and improve their livelihoods through involvement in economic activities that also enhance the resilience of the environment in which they live to climatic change.
The major output from this on a large scale demonstrates that rural families in Zambia can feed themselves and improve their livelihoods through involvement in economic activities that also enhance the resilience of the environment in which they live to climatic change.
To this effect, Norway is supporting a 5 year Conservation Farming programme in Zambia with the Conservation Farming Unit under the Zambia National Farmer’s Union.
To this effect, Norway is supporting a 5 year Conservation Farming programme in Zambia with the Conservation Farming Unit under the Zambia National Farmer’s Union.
The programme targeting a total of 120,000 small holder farmers is an integrated approach to addressing the issue of reducing poverty by promoting environmental friendly farming practices in a food security programme.
The programme targeting a total of 120,000 small holder farmers is an integrated approach to addressing the issue of reducing poverty by promoting environmental friendly farming practices in a food security programme.
I hope that this conference might be conducive not only to enhance public-private cooperation in the field of agriculture but also to improve the understanding of the problems and challenges that are facing this sector in African countries.
I hope that this conference might be conducive not only to enhance public-private cooperation in the field of agriculture but also to improve the understanding of the problems and challenges that are facing this sector in African countries.
I wish you all the best in your deliberations.
I wish you all the best in your deliberations.
Africa needs a green revolution
- Afrika trenger en grønn revolusjon
Article in the daily paper VG, 21 April 2009
Kronikk i VG, 21. april 2009
For several months there has been debate as to whether Norway should take part.
I flere måneder har debatten gått: Bør Norge delta?
Should we back out?
Bør vi trekke oss?
Or should we stay in, and do what we can to influence the outcome?
Eller bør vi stå på, bli og gjøre det vi kan for å påvirke?
We decided to do the latter, Foreign Minister Støre writes.
Vi valgte det siste, skriver Jonas Gahr Støre.
I have given a speech at the Durban Review Conference against racism.
Jeg har holdt innlegg på FNs konferanse mot rasisme.
Now I am on the plane home.
Jeg sitter på flyet hjem.
We decided to do the latter.
Vi valgte det siste.
Let us start at the beginning.
La oss begynne med begynnelsen.
UN conferences against racism always cause controversy.
Det er alltid støy rundt FNs konferanser mot rasisme.
The conference in Durban in 2001 was no exception.
Konferansen i Durban i 2001 var ikke noe unntak.
It culminated in a strong and far-reaching declaration against racism and discrimination.
Den produserte en omfattende og god erklæring mot rasisme og diskriminering.
However, Durban is more widely remembered for anti-Semitic statements and one-sided criticism of Israel.
Men Durban blir mer husket for anti-semittiske innlegg og ensidig kritikk av Israel.
The declaration was adopted by consensus, with the exception of the US, Israel and Canada.
Selve erklæringen ble vedtatt av alle, med unntak av USA, Israel og Canada.
The previous Norwegian Government followed up the declaration in an admirable way, using it as the basis for its National Plan of Action to Combat Racism and Discrimination.
Bondevik-regjeringen fulgte prisverdig opp med å legge erklæringen til grunn for handlingsplanen mot rasisme og etnisk diskriminering.
So the time came for Durban II, as it came to be called – this time in Geneva.
Så var det tid for oppfølging etter Durban, nå kalt Durban II, men denne gangen lagt til Genève.
Again there was contention.
Igjen brygget det opp til støy.
Again Israel was in focus.
Igjen sto det om omtalen av Israel.
The atmosphere was coloured by the cartoon controversy.
Striden fra karikaturstriden farget stemningen.
We saw a deep divide between Muslim countries and the West.
Vi så dypere kløfter mellom muslimske land og Vesten.
At the beginning of the year, there was considerable disagreement about the wording of the draft outcome document.
På nyåret spriket utkastet til tekst i alle retninger.
Where should we set the limit?
Hvor gikk våre grenser?
Erna Solberg, leader of the Conservative Party, initiated a thorough debate in the Storting.
Erna Solberg tok initiativ til en grundig debatt i Stortinget.
Basically this resulted in agreement on the following: the fight against racism and discrimination must be the main focus.
I korthet samlet et bredt flertall seg om dette: Kamp mot rasisme og diskriminering må stå i fokus.
And the final draft reflected all our points of view.
Og da sluttutkastet kom kunne vi slå fast: Alle våre mål er ivaretatt.
Key Norwegian and international human rights organisations have expressed strong support for the wording of the text.
Toneangivende norske og internasjonale menneskerettighetsorganisasjoner ga sterk støtte til teksten.
The US, which is not participating Durban II, has taken the unusual step of commending the negotiators, and describes the draft as an accomplishment.
USA, som ikke deltar gikk til det uvanlige skritt å rose forhandlerne for en tekst de omtaler som en ”accomplishment” i arbeidet mot diskriminering.
I went to Geneva because I wanted to use the UN rostrum to explain why this is important for Norway.
Jeg reiste til Genève fordi jeg ville bruke FNs talerstol til å markere hvorfor dette er viktig for Norge.