2007年VOA标准英语-UN Agencies Call For 'Green Revolution' in Afri

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
04 July 2007

Three of the most important international organizations that deal with food, agriculture, and rural development are calling for an African Green Revolution.  The World Food Program (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and International Fund for Agricultural Development say they will work together to help African countries increase their food production to overcome hunger and create a more prosperous future.  Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

An electrical storm lights the night sky above vegetable crops on a farm near Groblersdal, South Africa, 19 Dec. 2006

The U.N. agencies say Africa is not winning the war against hunger.  They estimate 854 million people go hungry every day.  They are particularly worried about the number of undernourished people, which has grown in Africa by 45 million during the past 15 years.

Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, David Harcharik, says a Green Revolution in Africa is not only possible, but necessary.  He says the program would be tailored specifically for African conditions.

"If an African Green Revolution is going to be successful, it has to reach as many farmers as possible," he said.  "Most of these farmers are subsistence farmers now.  I think the Green Revolution has got to find some way to reach out to them and help them increase their agricultural productivity.  But, I do not think that that in itself would be sufficient.  There has to be a way for farmers to market and sell produce that they produce beyond their own immediate¹ family or village needs." 

Harcharik says international trading rules have to be adjusted to give African farmers greater international market access and a fairer chance of exporting their products.

International Fund for Agricultural Development Vice² President Kanayo Nwanze says a Green Revolution must be based on African traditions and values. 

"It must be a bottom up approach.  It must be community based and emphasis must be on rural communities with the targets being women and children given the important role that is played by women in African agriculture," he noted³.  "We have very clear evidence that investments into women farmers actually increases the chances of better nutrition, better education, better clothing for children." 

Nwanze says bad, corrupt⁴ governments in Africa are holding back progress.  He says African leaders must root out corruption⁵ in their political systems and be more transparent⁶ if they want to move forward and create a better future for Africa. 

The U.N. agencies agree that the amount of Overseas Development Assistance must be increased.  But, they say the international community will be more willing to increase their financial commitments to Africa if they see African governments investing more of their national budgets in their own agricultural production.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。