Edward Mukiibi - The Ugandan farmer aiming to change the world
Now a young and prominent Ugandan is steering the way to the world's most influential food NGO. Meet agricultural activist and educator Edward Mukiibi.
Transcript
00:00 Edward Mukibi from Uganda is on a noble mission to make the world a better place by fostering good nutrition.
00:08 Hi, I'm Edward Mukibi, I'm the president of Slow Food International.
00:15 I'm a farmer and an agronomist from Uganda.
00:18 My goal is to make sure that each and every human being on the planet has access to and can enjoy good, clean and fair food.
00:27 At only 36 years old, Edward Mukibi is at the helm of the organization Slow Food.
00:34 Over the years, he has expanded its reach to a remarkable 160 countries.
00:39 Edward makes several trips each year to the quaint town of Draa, the movement's headquarters.
00:44 To me as an African from Uganda, Slow Food means a grassroots network that is supporting and working with local communities to build food sovereignty.
00:54 We work with communities of farmers, communities of young people, communities of indigenous peoples.
01:01 Chisoga, nestled in the East African country of Uganda, is Eddie's hometown.
01:06 As the son of a humble father, he worked in the fields even as a youth.
01:10 Little did he know that sustainable cultivation would one day be his life mission.
01:15 I was forced to do agriculture as a punishment at school.
01:21 But this punishment turned out to be my lifetime passion and driving force to make change.
01:29 Slow Food's presence in Uganda dates back to 2006.
01:35 Farmer Noel Nanyonja's field is a model for the Slow Food group of Chisoga,
01:41 showcasing an inspiring blend of innovative farming techniques and cherished time-honored traditions.
01:50 At Slow Food Gardens we embrace diversity in our gardens.
01:55 We also make sure that we try to protect our plants which are at risk of extinction and provide food security.
02:07 There are many plants at risk of extinction, many techniques, many food cultures that the Slow Food network is working every day to protect and to preserve.
02:17 Through the Slow Food procedure, communities are able to identify products at risk of extinction.
02:24 Slow Food Uganda has over 30,000 members and is active in many areas.
02:29 Slow Food Uganda holds many facets to its structure such as Slow Food Gardens, Slow Food Youth Network and Farmers Earth Markets,
02:38 with local products and a so-called Chefs' Alliance.
02:46 To join the Cooks' Alliance, the first thing the cook should have is the desire and the willingness to make a change in the food system.
02:55 Betty Nakato runs a catering service.
02:59 Her journey with Slow Food spans seven years, during which she has revolved around the art of crafting traditional dishes.
03:06 Traditional foods have really helped us to really embrace more of our culture and to give us a sense of belonging.
03:15 I really thank God for the Slow Food, that they are trying to build that culture to empower us in foods to have that culture that is not washed away.
03:25 The Slow Food movement originated in Piedmont in Northern Italy, known for delectable specialties such as wine, hazelnuts, truffles and a plethora of other regional products.
03:36 The visionary founder of the organization, Carlo Petrini, along with a group of activists, fought against fast food chains in Italy.
03:45 This pivotal movement unfolded in 1986, coincidentally the same year Edward Mukibi was born.
03:52 It's a challenge to take over leadership from such a big figure like Carlo Petrini, but to me it's also I look at it as a learning opportunity.
04:02 I feel like I have a lot to offer. I have a lot of experience to share with the world from my communities, from my country, from my continent.
04:12 And that this is the only way we can bridge the ever-growing gap between the North and the South.
04:18 Here at Bra, Italy is a farmer's market with local products.
04:24 It's a place where the agronomist feels at home, having also studied at the local Slow Food University.
04:30 Bra helped me to interact with other cultures, other people, but also to understand the historical birthplace of slow food and where it all began.
04:44 Slow food has made a global fine imprint. Here, Eddie meets activists from diverse corners of the world.
04:51 Above all, he aspires to further invest in education and awareness.
04:55 So through restaurants, through farms, through slow food gardens in Africa, through many other initiatives like the Slow Food Youth Academies,
05:06 we are able to reach out to so many people. Because only with a clear knowledge on how the food we eat and the system under which it's produced is affecting the planet and our health is when we can make better choices.
05:19 Eddie Mukibi is a wellspring of innovative ideas, often incubating them in the slow food headquarters in Uganda.
05:27 Yet his cherished haven is his parents' farm and the farmers' fields, where he can roll up his sleeves and lend a hand.
05:36 [MUSIC PLAYING]
05:39 (upbeat music)