The Philosophy, Policies and Programs of the CONGRESS OF AFRICAN PEOPLE in the key areas of Food Security/Sovereignty Agriculture and Health/Wellness

The Philosophy, Policies and Programs of the CONGRESS OF AFRICAN PEOPLE in the key areas of Food Security/Sovereignty Agriculture and Health/Wellness

UPDATE AS OF November 1, 2018

This is a current status update for the Congress of African People and the great work that our Ambassador for Food Security and Agriculture, Queen Mother Anna Marie Carter, CEO of Cuppedia Inc., the successor organization to Reginald Lewis', Beatrice Foods. The Seed Lady, in her infinite wisdom, as CAP Ambassador, has done more to carry out our collective goals, which include imposing a unity on the Pan African Movement, which is practical in its application and significance, is sustainable for generations, and has the capacity to lead to genuine economic development for African people all over the planet as we seek to engage all Africans on a Global level, as we have been admonished by our leader, Marcus, Garvey. As of this date, we wish to highlight the following:
1. Cuppedia has 20 million food products, including 10 million non gmo, 100% tested pure.
2. We have been offered duel citizenship by the African country of Nigeria and will be teaching and training African farmers, mainly women, in classes at the University of Abuja the first of 2019.
3. We have 10 ports around the US for which we will export and import products and goods for global trade. We are negotiating to get ports in Nigeria and Ghana for imports and exports to and from the West Coast of Africa. We are prospecting ports in Eastern and Southern Africa to ship direct to the Far East and Baltics Region and Russia.
4. We have organized and contracted with 100 million mostly women farmers in Africa.

5. We have contracted with BAI Nutritional Drinks to market their drinks in Africa and world, and most of the profits will go for African Development Projects. This is consistent with our Campaign to say BAI BAI (Bye Bye) to all colonizers and exploiters in Africa.
6. We have also contracted with 600 East Indian Farmers and a group of Cambodian Youth which also gives us access to these markets as we engage global trade in the context of a $30 trillion PER DAY Food Industry.
7. We will also be pursuing interests in gaining control of the African Textile Industry as we will be growing key raw materials for this industry including cotton, flax, bamboo, hemp as well as others. Since this is related to Fashion and Design, we will also be delving into the African Centered Fashion Industry via the Congress of African People's Fashion and Design Group, "Oshun's Whisper".
8. Just in the month of October, 2018, Uganda and Armenia have asked Cuppedia to
be there food broker on the international markets. We are in negotiation with a number of other countries for the same privilege.
9. As Russia has become exclusively non gmo over the last two years, we will be in position to supply them with all of their export/import needs. We are also negotiating a similar deal with the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
10. We have contracts with all Native American Nations from Canada to Brazil to grow food for us, as the need arises.

The importance and urgency of Food Security to the African American Community in particular, and African Community in general is of the highest priority since it affects each one of us on a daily basis. It is not hard to determine that our people have been subjected to bio-warfare, on many fronts for years. We can date back to the syphilis experiments, Aids, Ebola and the daily ingestion of pesticides, steroids,  GMO's, and now Nanobots (micro robots which can be manipulated), according to Dr. Don Huber. 

Due to these suppositions, the Congress of African People has taken on the issues of Agriculture and Food Security as ones to mobilize and organize our peoples in support of the need for global trade led by The Seed Lady of Watts, Cuppedia, Inc., the successor to Reginald Lewis', Beatrice Foods, which can provide leadership and amass the collective resources in our communities to engage those who would dare bring us harm. While we educate our communities on these and other key issues, we also accept responsibility, as a matter of Self Determination, to define, defend and develop the collective interests of our people whenever, and wherever they are raised, challenged or threatened. As the Ambassador for Food Security for the Congress of African People (CAP), Anna Marie Carter has defined the meaning and practical application of the principles and values associated with Food Security/Sovereignty and Agriculture as primary issues which CAP can and will provide immediate solutions and remedies for, in the interest of our people’s health, well being and security.

WHY FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND AGRICULTURE ARE KEY AREAS OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/capagriculture/

The Congress of African People (CAP) views Food Security and Agricultural Development as top priorities facing the Pan African Community. Let's explore a few reasons why:

1. Much of African Culture is based on an Agrarian Foundation. Lest we forget that our fore parents brought to the West were brought for our farming skills. Many of our parents were either born or raised on farms in the South.

2. Much of the land which African Americans owned was/is farm land, though much has been lost, and we must work to regain those losses. Therefore, we have an historical and spiritual relationship to the land base, as do Native Americans.

3. 85% of the Worlds Food supply is owned by 5 or less multi-national companies, these companies promote and lobby for the distribution of genetically modified foods (GMO), much of which can be connected to disease processes in our bodies. Thru these companies criminal and inhumane practices, they seek to dominate the food market by making seeds which only last one time, and making toxic fertilizers, which kill off the soil base.

4. These disease processes compromises our health and causes our people to become victims of a system which serves people bad food (GMO), causing them to enter the health care system early, and then further victimized by a health care system which addicts us to pharmaceudicals rather than farmaceudicals.

5. We at CAP adopt our Ancient Ancestor, Imhoptep's admonition and policy, that we must make "Food our Medicine, and Medicine our Food". Farm/Garden grown foods and herbs are nature's way of providing the proper nutritional balance and healing for our Body Temples. This premise must also be reflected in our new and holistic approaches to health and wellness, as well as in our newly formulated health delivery systems. We also adopt the Seed Lady of Watts' motto, "We only eat what we Grow".

6. The growing and preparation of food has always been a spiritually based practice in our community, and when we are disassociated from them, our spiritual balance and center is thrown into disharmony, and we become alienated from a key aspect of our Spiritual Culture. Western culture breeds such alienation, and organic food (100% tested pure) becomes a way of reconnecting to our Body Temples.

7. While Africa is known mostly for its mineral wealth, it also has one of the richest soil bases in the world, and most every food product can be grown there. Thus, gaining control of our Food Production is a key element of economic empowerment and development

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

1. Recognition of Africa as the Food Basket of the World

    A. Africa has this distinction because of its excellent climate, soil, and environmental conditions. Therefore, agricultural policy must not succumb to the need for industrialization. On the contrary, the emphasis should be on the greening of industry, such that we reduce the effects of pollution of land, air, and water resources.

    B. The nutritional and medicinal value of African plants and vegetation should be thoroughly researched and exploited. Following such research, market analysis should be done to explore the best ways and methods of bringing products to market. 

  C. Of major import is the spiritual, relationship and connection African people have enjoyed historically to the land of our ancestors. It was the rationale for bringing our people to the "West". This valued relationship must remain paramount in any and all policy and planning considerations. The spiritual dimensions of this relationship must also be embodied in our cultural and creative production. Thus, the Congress of African People adopts the Kemetic and Yoruba admonitions, "To Bring Good into the World" as a fundamental creed which defines our relationship with nature, land, seeds, and food. We accept our responsibility as caretakers of the Earth, Air and Water resources which nourish ourselves, our families, communities and mankind. This is a Sacred Trust and Divine Relationship with the Sun and all earthly resources which we depend on for sustenance. These lessons are taught in the Spiritual teachings of the Temple of Ma'at.

2. The Primacy of the Relationship between Agricultural Production, Food Sovereignty and Food Security.

     A. African land must reside in the hands and control of African people and due consideration given to being administered by Tribal groupings with general guidelines. Birth on the African continent is not a criteria for being African, rather, having historical, cultural and spiritual ties to the land, people and culture. With Tribal groups having administrative control ensure to some degree, the maintenance of valuable cultural traditions and practices since many grew out of Agrarian society.

     B. No aliens should be allowed to own African land. Short term leasing should be the only options for aliens as long as they conform to African standards and protocols for land use.

     C. Food Companies engaging in GMO's should be banned from all African and Caribbean soil and must be considered enemy combatants. Such companies seek domination and control of food production and undermine sovereignty, health,  security rights and responsibilities.

     D. We must seek to own our own Food companies which value our health and sovereignty rights. Therefore we must control all vertical and horizontal processes,
such as processing, fertilizers, distribution and retail.

3. African and Pan African Policy Makers and Planners must adopt the value and admonition that "Food is our Medicine, and Medicine is our Food". CAP also adopts the COGABO motto, "We Only Eat What We Grow". This is as much for defensive reasons and pro-active ones.

    A. First and foremost, this policy is people centered rather than profit motivated. Western medicine, despite its ethical declarations, is driven by large profits to be made in the GMO, hospital and pharmaceudical industries.

     B. African values and ethics dictate that emphasis should be better spent on prevention vs. the curative aspect of medicine. Based on the Maatian principles of balance and harmony, Integrative approaches to medicine and health are encouraged.

4. Balance should be sought with crops for import/export and those to be used for local consumption. 

     A. Companies allowed land use, under lease, for export crops such as cocoa, should not only pay fair wages, but also be contracted to grow crops for local consumption at fair prices.

      B. Market analysis should first start based on local needs, then, regional, national, Pan African and then World. African proverb says, "Collect sand where you are standing, not running down the beach."

      C. A division of labor in the food production industries should reflect the needs of import, export, local consumption, labor technology needs, transportation, distribution; soil fertilizers, climate and environment.

       D. Where possible, food and Agricultural Coops should be instituted to encourage more efficient use of land, planting strategies, and harvesting techniques.

5. Education of the medicinal and health qualities and nature of food should be given highest priority in Pan African Communities. 

       A. Emphasis should be put on the health needs and well being of people above profits. Knowledge of Farmacology must be incorporated into Rites of Passage. 

 B. Food Production and Sovereignty are among the highest value considerations since food comes from the earth to nourish our Body Temples. Food is a connecting factor between the divine, nature and the human spirit, and therefore, its production cannot reside in the control of aliens. This Sacred relationship must be embodied within the cultural and spiritual fabric  of our Pan African Community. and no alien will ever have the right to abridge or interfere with this relationship. Anyone seeking to break this bond will and should face the full, force and effect of our community, ancestors, and African Gods.

6. Forming Guerilla Gardens and Seed Banks are  Critical to Food Sovereignty

        A. Guerilla gardens are necessary to guard against sabotage and/or legal manipulation by Monsanto type companies and interests. Their main purpose is to grow organic seeds for saving in Seed Banks.

        B. Farmers and Community gardeners must save organic seeds in order to ensure communities maintain free and unimpaired access to Non GMO foods. Corporate interests seek to dominate the food industry. Seed banks are a key factor against wanton domination and interference in the community's spiritual relationship with its food sources.

7. Unite and join the Global Movement against deforestation and pollution of water sources. 

        A. Hemp,  Bamboo and other natural products can be used to make most products that wood and petroleum are used for. Some research cites as many as 300 products at a minimum.

        B. Many of the worlds’ forested regions continue to house medicinal and nutritional food sources. As Stewards of the land and planet, it's our duty and responsibility to protect these regions and resources from human predators.

  C. Likewise we must also protect our oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams and waterways from pollution, as they are also sources of untold and unlimited nutrients for our Body Temples, therefore giving them Sacred value and worth. The collection of rain water is also a protected practice with proper regulation.  

8. Pan African Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Health Institutions and Movements should reflect policies, programs and practices which promote the maximum progressive and collective interests of African people.

           A. As a global community we must have policies and practices which clearly draw the role and relationship of agriculture, food sovereignty and health to each other. Each industry and system share an inter-dependency which should first, be expressed in policy formulation.

           B . A clear and concise definition of what we mean by food sovereignty is needed here. Food Sovereignty means, that African people, wherever we are, have the right and responsibility to control our food production, and that this right cannot be abridged by any alien force or power. As an African people, we reserve the right of Self Determination to assert our spiritual connectedness to the agricultural products we consume into our Body Temples. No alien can define this relationship for us, as this is a Sacred domain.

           C. Thus, we urge the NCOE to call for formation of Pan African mobilization efforts, institutes, research facilities, alliances, regulatory entities, farmers, unions, Coops, Integrative Medical Schools, and clinics, physician assistants and nursing schools, trade/commerce, and export/import entities, all of which subscribe to the above policies and practices in the Spirit of Maat, our unifying Spirituality and foundational principles.

  D. Though Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Health are independent industries, in the Pan African context, they form and inter-related whole. They, each, and together, contribute in significant ways to a system of Wellness, Prevention and Care which is grounded in African history, culture, and science. In our pursuit of a health and agricultural policy platform, it remains important to maintain cultural and historical continuity.

9. The Food Industry as a Wealth Builder
The Global Food Industry may be one if not the greatest wealth building industry in the world, at $30 Trillion per day. Even a modest market share in this industry could create wealth equal to or greater than most national budgets. As we begin to engage Africa in this global market, we must ask the question, what do we do with this wealth? In answer to this question, it is required that we, African people, begin to establish possibilities and priorities in terms of sustainable development needs and plan 5, 10 and 50 years in advance. We must determine what institutions and industries are needed today and in the near and distant future. We must educate and teach the kind and quality of values and ethics to our children which will allow for social development to keep pace with scientific and industrial innovation. Africa and African people must take the lead in such a movement, as few are even aware of the incongruities and dissonance which is created by such a confluence.

Food Sovereignty is the key link which allows us to do this. Herbs and food have traditionally been used for health purposes. In many African tribal groups, harvest festivals were and are a significant event of cultural and spiritual  nature. The Pan African holiday of Kwanzaa is based on such  a harvest celebration. We, as a global community, must formulate other relevant institutional structures which re-enforce these cultural and spiritual traditions. Our challenge today, is to ground our scientific advancement in these key areas, with the knowledge and wisdom of our Ancestors, and our daily social needs and aspirations.
If we are to look at Food Sovereignty from a scientific perspective, we must analyze several key elements, and then put together a global structure which allows African people assert their role and relevance in this global industry.
First, we must assess and value our land base, particularly on the continent, which as stated, has the potential to become the Breadbasket of the World. We must not allow industrial pollutants to contaminate our land base. We must use the latest scientific processes to ensure soil fertility at the highest level. We have scientists in the African Scientific Institute (ASI) which have developed such techniques. We need to employ them.
Second, we must ensure we diversify our agricultural production to include not only non gmo vegetable products for food, but also raw materials for textiles, such as flax, bamboo, hemp, cotton, etc. For those choosing to continue eating meat, we must have Halal, Free Range and Kosher meat production.
Third, we must develop the latest techniques in food processing as this is a key step in the food production chain, and the first after harvesting.
Fourth, is the expansive manufacturing processes of food, particularly as VAP, value added products. These would include flash freezing, freezing and other modalities depending on customer requests.
Fifth, we must have a sophisticated system of transport, whether by truck, ship, air, drones, etc.
Sixth, would be the system for retail distribution, such as markets, malls, restaurants, hotels, home delivery, and the use of online services.
Seventh, would be connecting to educational networks to educate our people on the value of eating non gmo foods, ensuring that we expand the market among our communities first, and then the larger society. This is critical, as the GMO marketeers have contaminated people's thinking for decades, not really caring for the health and economic risks it brings. We, in Cuppedia and CAP have come to reverse this process among our people and those who allow us to educate them pro-actively.
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