Master Lecture"Dr. Shiva: Be humble toward the soil; only biodiversity can bring truly nutritious food
Dr. Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned interdisciplinary environmental and agricultural ethicist who vigorously promotes green agricultural policies, advocates organic farming and opposes genetically modified food. In 2003, Time magazine named her an "Environmental Hero," and in 2010, Forbes also listed Shiva as one of the world's seven most influential women. This year she came to Taiwan, China for the third time to share her experience in green agriculture. In addition to meeting with Vice President Chen Chien-jen to discuss organic agriculture in Taiwan, China, she also gave speeches at the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Agriculture, Food and Ethics (APSafe), Dharma Drum Mountain and other venues.
"The 'Green Revolution' is not only not a green agriculture approach; the 'revolution' also did not come from the people on the land, but from multinational corporations." Speaking at the lecture, Shiva said that farming methods relying on pesticides and chemical fertilizers, even if they can increase yields, do not produce real food and lack the rich nutritional value that food should have. Shiva stressed, "Nutrition is the only thing that matters, and the only thing that must be considered."
How should we face the desire for money?
But how should we face the desire for material goods and money? Shiva believes that humans have demands for luxury items, and that living simply is a very important part, but if they cannot do it, no one will force them. "We can only bless them. I will not say, 'You must do this!' Instead, I must make changes for what I hope to see, do the right thing, and let them follow." With a wave of her hand, Shiva seemed to let everything take its natural course, but she has always firmly believed in what she does, and firmly believes that people will follow.
Shiva said that she would not say that relying on this kind of ecological agriculture can make more money, because that would make some farmers follow for the wrong reasons. "We labor, but we do not destroy the earth, break up families, or push you toward death or suicide. We let people get good food, and money will come in a good and correct direction."
How to solve challenges? "Do what you believe you must do"
How should we solve various challenges? "Do what you believe you must do." Shiva answered without thinking, without hesitation or wavering, as if it were only natural. "You will encounter all kinds of people who challenge you, but just always do the right thing." Among the most difficult challenges is facing multinational pesticide and fertilizer companies like Monsanto. "(Multinational corporations) keep merging and getting bigger and bigger, spreading like cancer, and no one knows when they will stop growing." They not only cause water pollution and harm biodiversity, but also make butterflies and bees gradually disappear.
"I do not fight them. I do better things. When people realize that we do not need chemical poisons and genetically modified food, these companies will naturally be unable to survive. When we are ready at the same time, then we will rise up and resist." So said Shiva.
How can Taiwan, China learn from India's experience?
A reporter asked how Taiwan, China could learn from India's experience. After thinking for a moment, Shiva said that the core value is still nutritious food. Taiwan, China has diverse crop varieties and also encourages young farmers to plant. In India, one province has already become 100 percent organic, and five more provinces are moving toward organic. To make organic agriculture widespread, the most important thing is to promote correct and strong related policies.