Thu Sep 19 08:46:51 UTC 2024: ## Love and Sustainability: The Key to Feeding a Growing World
**LISBON, PORTUGAL – JULY 11** – The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity has recognized three pioneering initiatives in sustainable agriculture, highlighting the crucial role of love for the earth and its people in tackling the global food crisis.
The award, worth €1 million, was presented to Dr. Rattan Lal, a renowned soil scientist, SEKEM, a social enterprise based in Egypt, and the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program in India. These organizations are leading the way in demonstrating that a future of food security and ecological balance is possible through a shift to sustainable agricultural practices rooted in respect, compassion, and ecological balance.
Dr. Lal, the “godfather of soil science”, advocates for a transformative approach to agriculture that honors the interconnectedness of soil, nature, and human well-being. He emphasizes the importance of soil health, arguing that it’s not just an environmental issue but a crucial factor in global peace. His lifelong dedication to soil health has earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize and the World Food Prize.
SEKEM, founded in Egypt in 1977, promotes an “Economy of Love” approach, prioritizing ethical practices, meaningful relationships, and positive social and environmental impacts. Their model centers on the “EoL Standard”, a certification program for biodynamic farmers in Egypt, rewarding them for carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
The APCNF program in India is empowering women farmers to lead a quiet revolution in natural farming practices. Through this initiative, women are not only improving their own livelihoods and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs but also contributing to healthier food, reduced farming costs, and climate change mitigation.
The Gulbenkian Prize recognizes the urgent need for a global shift towards sustainable agriculture. The winners’ stories showcase the power of love for the earth and its people to create a future where food security and ecological balance are attainable. As Dr. Lal emphasizes, “We must make famine and wars politically intolerable, morally toxic, ethically unthinkable, and humanly unacceptable.” These initiatives demonstrate that the future of our planet lies in our hands, and in our hearts.
First Piper 