Enjoy fairer food
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) draws attention to shortcomings in supply chains - and gives suggestions on what we can all do about them.
A warm wind is blowing in the climate dome of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Hall 7.2c. This makes guests in the Berlin winter feel a little closer to the people of Madagascar. Using virtual reality glasses, the film shows them how farmers are suffering from persistent drought. In some parts of the country, no rain has fallen for years and many people have had to leave their homes and move to the cities. Madagascar is one of the countries in which the BMZ is supporting measures to combat climate change and help people adapt to the conditions.
Tight budgets
How do an African farmer and his family make ends meet on 172 euros a month? A station with laser scanners shows that it's more bad than good. If you factor in the cost of the house, food and visits to the doctor, you quickly realise that there is not enough money to go around. According to calculations by the BMZ, a fair wage that also enables education and savings should be 478 euros. ‘For end consumers, the price difference between fair trade and conventional goods, for example bananas, is often not great,’ says Andreas Pletziger from the ministry's communications department. ‘Those who can afford it should at least occasionally buy fairly produced products - and perhaps less overall.’
Fair coffee
There is an opportunity to do this at the ‘Die Kaffee’ stand. The Angelique's Finest brand beans are grown by a women's coffee cooperative in the volcanic mountains of Rwanda and have a sweet flavour with a hint of chocolate. From cultivation to packaging, the women farmers produce everything themselves. Even the brand is their invention. And it pays off: They earn 36 per cent more than if they sold their green coffee on the world market.
Alternative proteins
One answer to the global food crisis could be alternative foods such as algae. At the BMZ stand, guests can try savoury algae chips or sweet protein bars. A little more courage is needed at the insect stand: visitors can try crickets with pepper-lemon flavours, barbecue-flavoured crickets or crispy grasshoppers. These frugal animals can be kept in a small space and are valuable sources of protein. Bred on an insect farm in Neu-Ulm, they have been freeze-dried for consumption.
