Rozina received her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Economics at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Following graduation, she taught 5th grade on a Native American Reservation for several months. She then went to India as a Fulbright Scholar studying various issues including women self help groups, agriculture and agrarian distress, and the role of institutions. She then moved to London, England where she studied Islamic Studies and Humanities at the Institute of Ismaili. She learned that understanding language, culture, politics, and history are quintessential components for any development or policy work. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Environment and Sustainable Development at University College London. Rozina believes in the power of education, community cohesion, and engaging multiple stakeholders to generate change.
Rozina Kanchwala – Issue Analyst
Read more from this author ...
Addressing climate change through biodiverse agriculture
The current dominating agriculture system, which is often characterized by monocropping, is highly energy intensive and therefore responsible for high greenhouse gas emissions. Ironically, agriculture itself will be severely impacted by global warming to which it is largely contributing. However, biodiverse agricultural systems can help address climate change challenges. Agriculture and livestock rearing and fertilizer use are large contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane and nitrous oxide, which are more serious than carbon … [Read more...]
Links between climate change and food security cannot be ignored
Agricultural yields are closely dependent on weather patterns. With increasing climate variability and change, agriculture and subsequently human well-being will be negatively impacted. While some places might see a rise in crop yield, the net effect of agricultural yields worldwide will be negative, with South Asia thought to be hit the hardest. High temperatures often lead to weed and pest proliferation, while reducing crop yields. Impacts of climate change on agriculture are three fold: 1. Biological effects, namely the rising temperatures and … [Read more...]
Permaculture: one approach to addressing food security
Permaculture is a term derived from the 2 terms: permanent & agriculture. Permaculture seeks to address human needs in ways that work with the natural environment, rather than against it. One must start first with observing nature and ecosystems, because these ecosystems can teach humans a lot about resilience and conservation. Permaculture is all about building resilience, self-sufficiency and ensuring that materials do not get wasted. Instead seeds from one harvest get replanted for the next; there is no reliance on Multi National seed … [Read more...]
This World Food Day: Resolve to not waste food
World Food Day (Sunday October 16) is a good reminder for all of us to reflect on both the plight of the many millions in the world who battle hunger daily, and also on our food choices and actions that have global impacts. Many sympathize with the hungry but are unaware how to make an impact. One way is to reduce the amount of food waste. 27% of food available for consumption is the amount that is wasted in the United States. This is an outrageously high percentage of food. The most obvious thought is that it is a shame; millions of people suffer … [Read more...]
Beyond food security, towards food sovereignty
‘Food sovereignty’ is a phrase coined only in 1996 that signifies the right of people to farm and eat foods that are healthy and culturally appropriate to them, using farming methods chosen by them. As simple and obvious as this seems, unfortunately it is not the situation for many small-scale farmers who are at the mercy of the large-scale agribusiness that dictates what they should grow and how. Mainstream neo-liberal policies of the past 60 years have systematically allowed land-grabbing and the slow elimination of small-scale farmers and … [Read more...]
