Chapter 273: Benevolence Society Africa Division
In the second half of the year, on October 16th, World Food Day.
This year's theme for World Food Day is "Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth."
The focus on family farming aims to raise awareness of the important role of family farming and smallholders in ensuring food security in the international community.
In recent years, although progress has been made in reducing the number of hungry people overall, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) points out that there is still a significant gap between developing countries and developed countries, as well as between major continents and regions.
Despite overall progress, approximately 1/8 of the population in developing countries still suffers from chronic hunger.
According to the latest FAO report on the State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014, the number of hungry people worldwide is decreasing steadily. From 2012 to 2014, it is estimated that about 805 million people suffered from chronic food shortages.
This does not include those experiencing vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, and other forms of nutritional deficiencies. The total number of people affected by food security issues could be close to 3 billion, accounting for approximately half of the world's population.
However, through the efforts of countries around the world, this unfortunate number has decreased by over 100 million people in the past decade and by 209 million people from 1990 to 1992.
But there is one region with particularly striking data: Africa.
The natural conditions and food security situation in African agriculture have shown a contrast, with per capita food production continuously declining over the past 30 years.
In fact, large areas of Africa have soil, sunlight, and temperature conditions that are very suitable for agricultural development and food production.
The sub-Saharan Africa region alone accounts for nearly half of the world's undeveloped land, with over 200 million hectares of arable land, representing approximately 26.4% of the world's total, and water resources accounting for 12%.
However, Africa is the only region in the world where per capita food production has been declining for nearly 30 years.
Why is this seemingly unbelievable situation happening?
To put it nicely, agricultural productivity for themself in Africa is low. A major part of African farmlands is used to grow crops such as coffee, cocoa, and cottonseed oil for export.
And today, Africa is the fastest-growing region in terms of population, without a doubt.
The ecology of Africa has also undergone significant changes, with flora and fauna becoming increasingly scarce.
Most African countries even refuse to invest in agriculture because the profits in the food industry are low compared to other high-profit industries.
One cannot ignore the period of European colonial rule in Africa as one of the reasons for this, during which a single-crop plantation system was implemented, focusing on economically valuable crops such as cassava, sisal, peanuts, oil palm, and cashews, while ignoring food crops.
The reason being that Africa suffered severely from pests and bird damage, so it was easier to cultivate crops with shells or fruits with strong odors or underground fruits.
They monopolized the best agricultural resources, turning Africa's fertile land into a constant source of dollars.
As for food, It could be imported.
Africa is the world's largest "grain-importing continent," and supermarket shelves are filled with imported food. Much of this imported food could be produced locally
Moreover, a combination of local conflicts, droughts, and other factors has dealt a deadly blow to Africa's already fragile agriculture.
However, even in such a dire situation, many African countries still haven't awakened to the reality.
Their agricultural infrastructure is shockingly poor, lacking even the most basic water management facilities and irrigation concepts...
Many experts who came to investigate and provide assistance couldn't help but lament this fact.
But there are still enlightened individuals in Africa.
In Wakanda, within the King's Hall, King T'Chaka and Prince T'Challa are receiving a special guest.
The representative of the renowned environmental charity organization Benevolence Society, Jack Wood, the leader of Benevolence Society's Africa Division, is a young black man.
This King's Hall is certainly not the one in the protective shield that is as advanced as future technology.
Externally, Wakanda is considered one of the poorest agricultural nations in Africa.
So their external King's Hall is not particularly impressive in appearance.
"Your Majesty T'Chaka, Benevolence Society has come with sincerity... I believe you should be familiar with our consistent approach."
The current Jack Wood is no longer the inconspicuous skinny boy from back then. As the exclusive representative of Benevolence Society for African affairs, he has received thorough training.
Furthermore, as Oaks instructed him to research Wakanda's affairs well in advance, his training direction from Oaks is indeed based on the standards of a branch chairman.
Thinking about his good friend Dane Whitman, who has already completed the construction of the European division with the Chairman, a wave of excitement fills Jack's heart.
At his level, he has the authorization to know the deep secrets of Benevolence Society.
The Chairman is playing a big game—one that will affect all of humanity and even the future of all life on Earth.
And Jack will become the leader of one of the five major divisions, the pillar of the organization. While shouldering heavy responsibilities, he feels an unparalleled sense of pride and mission.
"This is the situation of our food pilot program with Sokovia in Eastern Europe, Your Majesty. This is an absolute secret, both on the level of Sokovia and Benevolence Society...
Because we must avoid the crude interference of those with malicious intentions."
"The U.S. government..."
King T'Chaka, wearing glasses, puts down the documents in his hand. The impact of these documents on him is immense.
The renowned Benevolence Society has long piqued T'Chaka's interest.
But it's more accurate to say that T'Chaka is interested in the Chairman of Benevolence Society, Druid, a member of the Avengers.
That magical transformation ability, especially the cool panther form, has captured the interest of all of Wakanda.
"Your Chairman has even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and yet you are guarding against the U.S. government like this?"
T'Chaka looks with interest at Jake—
"The current food crisis in Africa is inseparable from the European colonizers, and the Americans have been even more ruthless than the Europeans. This is something that all countries are aware of but powerless to resist."
Jack looks at him with a serious expression. Although Wakanda is considered the "poorest country," it is also the only small country in Africa that has never been ruled by colonizers. The determination of the king impresses him greatly.
"In the U.S., one-fifth of the trash consists of discarded food, while here, our people are still suffering from hunger...
There are many factors at play, but now we want to use the technology we possess to solve this problem."
He tries to recall Steve's speech; although he is Captain America, he is also their security director.
"Your Majesty, Benevolence Society was not founded as an organization with narrow horizons.
Our Chairman, Oaks, even established Oak tree Environmental Technology Company to use technology as the core and combine it with the action capabilities of Benevolence Society to address various environmental issues on Earth.
Although many politicians politicize and commercialize the issue of food, there is no doubt that it is an extremely serious environmental problem—
The process of food production also consumes social and natural resources and pollutes the environment.
Our goal is to optimize food production and obtain more and better food in a more natural and harmonious way."
Fearlessly, Jack met the sharp gaze of the king, who doesn't seem like a typical king of a remote small country, and earnestly explained Benevolence Society's principles:
"Everything Benevolence Society does is to achieve a balance between humans and nature. This is not something that a small group of us can change through our consciousness and efforts alone; it requires the joint efforts of all humankind—
And hungry people do not possess this consciousness."
"... An excellent argument."
The one speaking is not King T'Chaka, but the young prince, T'Challa, who wasd standing beside him.
He smiled slightly and turned to his father:
"Dad, Benevolence Society is preparing to expand globally, and even from a global perspective, this is something worth celebrating.
If there were more enlightened individuals like Chairman Oaks, the world would be much better."
"But Chairman Oaks is just one person after all."
King T'Chaka pondered for a moment and picked up a document:
"So, Mr. Wood, it says here that in addition to Benevolence Society's cutting-edge food cultivation technology, Stark Industries will also provide free support with their fully automated harvesting and processing systems?"
A look of doubt flashes in his eyes:
"Although your Chairman and Tony Stark have a good relationship, and the latter has indeed stopped dealing in arms and become one of the most famous Avengers...
But he is, after all, a businessman, and I fail to see what he gains from all this."
"This is a collaboration project with Benevolence Society. It is a promotion of Stark Industries' clean energy program... an advertisement."
Jack spread his hands with a smile:
"They are powered by the Arc Reactor, safe and pollution-free. Mr. Stark, besides manufacturing explosives, does many other things."
"I see."
T'Chaka nodded slightly and, after a glance at his son T'Challa, finally smiled:
"Well then, Wakanda thanks Chairman Oaks for the assistance provided. We will arrange a confidential test field for the initial phase...
But regarding the establishment of a Benevolence Society branch in Wakanda, I would like to have further discussions with Chairman Oaks."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
As expected, Jack nodded without surprise and bowed slightly:
"The Chairman has already returned to headquarters from the European division. As for the time..."
"No, Mr. Wood."
To Jack's surprise, T'Chaka smiles and shook his head:
"You being here is enough... I would like to go to Benevolence Society headquarters myself and personally meet your Chairman!"
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