INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026
Youth messages for tomorrow
For International Youth Day, we asked young people from smallholder farmer communities on three continents the same question: what did your elders teach you that you want future generations to know and keep alive?
Here's what they wrote back.
Latin America
Poems, memories, videos, drawings and written work from Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala, in their original language with English translations.
La mirada
BY RUBI, OAXACA, MEXICO
¿Que aprendí de los mayores? Qué pregunta tan profunda. Me regresa a mi infancia. Vuelvo a ver el rostro de mi abuela, aquella mirada que contaba tanto y hablaba poco. Puedo sentir su mano tocando mi cabeza y suspirando, ¿será que empiezo a entender la razón de aquel suspiro?
Recuerdo que su primera mirada siempre se dirigía hacia la cuesta del sol y al cielo inmenso. No era solo costumbre; en el cielo encontraba las respuestas que necesitaba para el día. Observaba con atención el movimiento de las nubes, la fuerza del viento, la claridad del amanecer, y en ellos podía comprender cómo transcurriría la jornada.
En mi inocencia pensaba que era algún tipo de magia.
Bastaba con mirar el cielo para decir con absoluta certeza: hoy será un día de mucho viento, hoy el sol nos acompañará o habrá tormenta. Incluso, de una forma que aún me asombra, era capaz de presentir cuándo la tierra podía estremecerse.
Muchas veces me preguntaba cómo sabía esto. Arrepentida de no haber preguntado, busco respuestas ahora. Más que respuestas, busco esa necesidad, busco esa armonía que ellos tenían, esa paz, esa conexión con la tierra y con nuestro entorno.
Qué anhelo tan grande, pareciera inalcanzable en estos tiempos en los que las miradas son perdidas en medio de algo llamado modernidad.
Las sabias palabras de mi abuela todavía resuenan en el corazón de aquella niña. Ella decía:
“que tu mirada sea siempre a la inmensidad del cielo y que tus manos nunca pierdan el contacto con la tierra, porque de ella nace la vida misma”.
Ahora aquellas palabras no solo son un recuerdo vacío, son enseñanza viva. Aprendí a tocar la tierra sin miedo al esfuerzo y al sudor del mismo trabajo. En mi caminar, a sentirme conectada, a mirar las señales que la naturaleza ofrece, a convivir en armonía con todo lo que nos rodea y en especial con esta tierra noble que día tras día nos sostiene, alimenta y cura.
Que aprendamos aquella sabiduría de mirar al cielo y saber, a través de eso, cuándo y qué sembrar en nuestras tierras. Al escuchar las aves cantar, dejarnos guiar por las señales que nos dan con tanta bondad.
Ahora comprendo y agradezco el por qué nuestros mayores no solo nos han dejado heredadas semillas para cultivar y alimentarnos. Nos han heredado mucho más: una forma de mirar esta vida. Que las enseñanzas sigan practicándose en nuestras comunidades, que la juventud aprenda a mirar la inmensidad del cielo y se conserve el amor por la tierra.
The gaze
What did I learn from my elders? What a profound question. It takes me back to my childhood. I see my grandmother’s face again—her gaze said so much yet spoke so little. I can feel her hand touching my head and sighing; could it be that I’m beginning to understand the reason for that sigh?
I remember that her first glance was always directed toward the setting sun and the vast sky. It wasn’t just a habit; in the sky, she found the answers she needed for the day. She would watch closely the movement of the clouds, the strength of the wind, the brightness of the sunrise, and from them she could understand how the day would unfold.
In my innocence, I thought it was some kind of magic. All she had to do was look at the sky to say with absolute certainty: today will be a windy day, today the sun will be with us, or there will be a storm.
In a way that still amazes me, she was even able to sense when the earth might tremble.
I often wondered how she knew this. Regretting not having asked, I’m searching for answers now. More than answers, I’m searching for that sense of purpose, that harmony they possessed—that peace, that connection to the earth and our surroundings.
What a profound longing—it seems unattainable in these times when our gaze is lost amid this thing we call modernity. My grandmother’s wise words still echo in the heart of that little girl. She used to say,
“May your gaze always be turned toward the vastness of the sky, and may your hands never lose touch with the earth, for from it comes life itself.”
Now those words are not just an empty memory; they are a living lesson. I learned to touch the earth without fear of the effort and sweat that come with the work itself. On my journey, I’ve learned to feel connected, to observe the signs that nature offers, to live in harmony with everything around us—and especially with this noble earth that, day after day, sustains, nourishes, and heals us.
May we learn that wisdom of looking to the sky and knowing, with it, when and what to sow in our fields. As we listen to the birds sing, may we let ourselves be guided by the signs they give us with such kindness.
Now I understand and am grateful for why our elders have left us more than just seeds to cultivate and feed ourselves. They have left us much more: a way of looking at this life. May these teachings continue to be practiced in our communities, may the youth learn to gaze upon the vastness of the sky, and may the love for the earth be preserved.
"May these teachings continue to be practiced in our communities, may the youth learn to gaze upon the vastness of the sky, and may our love for the earth be preserved."
"Que las enseñanzas sigan practicándose en nuestras comunidades, que la juventud aprenda a mirar la inmensidad del cielo y se conserve el amor por la tierra."
Semillas y raíz
Seeds and roots, a poem by Alison from Ecuador
Aprendí de la arruga de la frente de mi abuela,
que la paciencia es un arte que no enseña la escuela.
I learned from the wrinkles on my grandmother’s forehead
that patience is an art not taught in school.
De las manos del abuelo, curtidas por el sol,
aprendí que el trabajo honrado enciende un faro de valor.
From my grandfather’s sun-weathered hands,
I learned that honest work lights a beacon of courage.
Nuestros padres sembraron la palabra dada,
el respeto sincero que no pide nada;
Our parents sowed the seed of a promise kept,
of sincere respect that asks for nothing in return;
el arte de escuchar al que sufre en silencio,
y el valor de la mesa donde cabe el afecto.
the art of listening to those who suffer in silence,
and the value of a table with room for affection.
En los ancianos el pueblo vio la historia viva,
esa fuerza serena que jamás se derriba;
In the elders, the people saw living history,
that serene strength that can never be brought down;
nos dejaron la receta de cuidar la tierra,
y la sabia destreza de salvar la guerra.
they left us the recipe for caring for the earth,
and the wise skill of weathering war.
Quisiera que el tiempo, en su marcha constante,
no apague el destello de esta luz gigante;
I hope that time, in its constant march,
will not extinguish the glow of this giant light;
que las nuevas familias, con paso seguro,
lleven la gratitud como escudo al futuro;
that new families, with a steady stride,
will carry gratitude as a shield into the future;
que no olviden el abrazo que sostiene al hermano,
ni el calor de sostener a un anciano.
that they will not forget the embrace that sustains a brother or sister, nor the warmth of caring for an elder.
Author: Alison, Ecuador
My message for tomorrow, by Soledad from Mexico
Hover over the text to see the English translation.
Algo muy importante que aprendí de mis padres y de mis abuelos en Zimatlán es el valor del respeto, el trabajo y la unión familiar. Ellos siempre me han enseñado que las cosas buenas se consiguen con esfuerzo, paciencia y honestidad, y que nunca debemos olvidar nuestras raíces ni a las personas que nos apoyan.
En mi familia, la unión se ve todos los días, principalmente cuando nos reunimos para cocinar, para preparar esos tamales, moles o tlayudas que tanto nos gustan. También he aprendido la importancia de la ayuda entre vecinos que se da mucho cuando es la fiesta patronal, porque conservar las costumbres y tradiciones de nuestra comunidad son una forma de mantener viva nuestra historia. Celebraciones como el Día de Muertos, con su altar, el pan de muerto y las flores de cempasúchil, que nos recuerdan quiénes somos y de dónde venimos.
Mis abuelos siempre me cuentan cómo antes en Zimatlán, todos se ayudaban sin esperar nada a cambio, y esas historias me inspiran a ser mejor persona.
Me gustaría que las futuras generaciones conservaran esos valores, porque son los que hacen comunidades más fuertes, solidarias y respetuosas. Aunque el mundo cambia, el amor por la familia, por nuestra cultura de Oaxaca y por ayudar a los demás nunca debería perderse. Mantener vivas estas enseñanzas es honrar a quienes nos precedieron y dejar un mejor futuro.
—Soledad, Oaxaca, Mexico
"Mis abuelos siempre me cuentan cómo antes en Zimatlán, todos se ayudaban sin esperar nada a cambio, y esas historias me inspiran a ser mejor persona."
"Algo que he aprendido (de mis mayores) es el valor de poder ser trabajador, respetar a los demás y también ser solidario. Porque considero que una persona no crece por lo que logra individualmente, sino también en la forma que ayuda y trata a los que están a su alrededor. Y algo considero importante también es la perseverancia a no rendirnos ante las dificultades, sino luchar por lo que nosotros queremos."
—Edras, Honduras
Drawings from youth from Honduras
Early memories of the land
BY CARLOS ANTONIO, MEXICO
"Cuando veo a mis abuelos, recuerdo con una alegría inmensa mi llegada a Ayoquezco. Siendo el único nieto nacido en el extranjero, al llegar a México me sentía fuera de lugar. No me gustaba la escuela y, tras terminar la secundaria con muchos tropiezos, decidí dejar mis estudios. Como castigo, me enviaron al campo.
Al principio no me gustaba, pero mis abuelos comenzaron a inculcarme el amor por la tierra y me dieron un par de pollos para iniciar un viaje del que no sabía cuál sería el resultado.
Hubo momentos en los que me desanimaba al ver pérdidas y no quería seguir, pero ellos me enseñaron que cualquier sacrificio, por difícil o complicado que parezca, da frutos si no nos rendimos, trabajamos con dedicación y aprendemos a superar los percances.
Nuestro rancho familiar comenzó con dos pollos y mucho esfuerzo. Hoy, lo que para mí era un problema y para mis abuelos era un sueño, se ha convertido en una realidad muy bonita, en la que progresamos día con día.
Lo que me gustaría compartir con las futuras generaciones es que nunca hay que renunciar a un sueño, por inalcanzable que parezca. Si nos enfocamos y trabajamos juntos sin rendirnos, podemos vivirlo y gozar de sus frutos.
Hoy, lo que para mí era un problema y para mis abuelos era un sueño, se ha convertido en una realidad muy bonita, en la que progresamos día con día.
Al principio no entendía el valor de estas actividades, pero gracias a mis abuelos y a mi mamá aprendí que, con constancia, lo que parece imposible puede convertirse en realidad."
South Asia
Poems, drawings and written work from Nepal and India, in their original language with English translations.
Cherishing Indigenous and Local Seeds
BY TIKA, NEPAL
In the past, (my) grandparents and parents depended on agriculture for their livelihoods. They selected and preserved seeds from their own fields. They chose healthy, disease-free plants that produced good harvests and selected the best fruits or seed heads for seeds.
They harvested the fruits or seed heads only after they had fully ripened. The seeds were then thoroughly dried and cleaned by removing husks, straw, and other unwanted materials. They stored the seeds in earthen pots, wooden grain-storage containers, tins, or other airtight containers. To protect them from insects, they mixed the seeds with ash, neem leaves, or mugwort and stored them in a dry place protected from water and moisture.
The seeds were taken out at planting time so that crops could be planted at the right time.
If someone in the village did not have enough seeds, others would lend them seeds. Traditionally, the borrower returned twice the amount after the harvest.
Today, technology has advanced considerably, and many people have stopped planting local seeds. However, preserving our local seeds is extremely important. When we have our own seeds, we do not need to depend on others, and we can plant our crops on time.
Local seeds are well adapted to the soil and climate of their place of origin. They are also better able to withstand local pests. It is our responsibility to preserve and keep using local seeds.
Following the practices of my ancestors, I continue to preserve local seeds. By watching me, my children have also learned that seeds should be saved in this way. Whenever they see a healthy crop or a large, well-grown vegetable, they say, “We should save this one for seed.”
Hover over this text for the Nepali version.
A handful of seeds holds tomorrow’s world,
And a farmer’s hard work is its golden foundation.
Seeds are our wealth and the foundation of life.
Let us preserve them to build a better future for farming.
Let us save our seeds and protect our farms,
And always preserve the treasures of nature.
Through the small efforts we make today,
Let us bring smiles to tomorrow.
Our seeds are our identity.
Preserving them means respecting life."
मुठीभरी बिउ, भोलिको संसार छ,
किसानको पसिना, सुनौलो आधार छ।
बिउ हाम्रो धन हो, जीवनको आधार,
बिउ जोगाइराखौँ, बन्छ खेतीको राम्रो आधार।
बिउ बचाऔँ, खेती बचाऔँ,
प्रकृतिको धन सधैँ सजाऔँ।
आजको सानो जगेर्नाले,
भोलिको मुस्कान फुलाऔँ।
हाम्रो पहिचान, हाम्रो पहिचान,
बिउ जोगाउनु नै हो जीवनको सम्मान।
A poem by Tika, Nepal
Short stories & memories
The role of animals in farming
By Diwani, Nepal
My mother told me that animals are no longer used in agriculture as much as they were in the past. In earlier times, animals such as oxen, cows, and buffaloes played an important role in farming
According to my mother, the growing use of modern machinery has gradually reduced the role of animals in agriculture. As a result, the use of animal manure and other organic fertilizers has also decreased, while dependence on chemical fertilizers has increased. This has negatively affected soil fertility.
The knowledge and skills passed down through generations need to be understood and preserved for the future. Different programs can be organized to highlight the importance of animals in agriculture. Such programs can help preserve traditional knowledge, skills, and farming tools while encouraging future generations to understand their value.
मेरी आमाले मलाई अहिले कृषिमा जनावरको प्रयोग पहिलेको जस्तो नभएको बताउनुभयो। पहिले खेतीपाती गर्दा गोरु,गाई र भैँसीजस्ता जनावरको धेरै प्रयोग हुने गरेको कुरा बताउनुभयो। त्यसैगरी, गोरु खेत जोत्न र भारी सामान ओसारपसार गर्न प्रयोग गरिन्थे भने गाई र भैँसीजस्ता जनावर मुख्यगरी दूध र जैविक मल उत्पादनका लागि प्रयोग गरिन्थे।
जनावरबाट प्राप्त जैविक मलले माटोको उर्वराशक्ति बढाउनुका साथै स्वस्थ बाली उत्पादन गर्न पनि मद्दत गर्छ।
उहाँका अनुसार, अहिले आधुनिक मेसिनको प्रयोग बढेकाले कृषिमा जनावरको प्रयोग दिनप्रतिदिन घट्दै गएको छ। यसका कारण गोबर मल वा जैविक मलको प्रयोग पनि कम भएको छ र रासायनिक मलमा निर्भरता बढेको छ। त्यसले गर्दा माटोको उर्वराशक्तिमा असर परेको छ।
हाम्रा अघिल्ला पुस्ताबाट सिक्दै आएका यस्ता ज्ञान र सीपहरू भावी पुस्ताले पनि जान्नु र जोगाउनु आवश्यक छ। त्यसैले कृषिमा जनावरको महत्त्व जोगाइराख्न विभिन्न प्रकारका कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्न सकिन्छ। त्यसैगरी, यस्ता कार्यक्रमहरूको सहायताले परम्परागत ज्ञान, सीप र औजारहरूको संरक्षण गर्नुका साथै भावी पुस्तालाई पनि तिनको महत्त्व बुझ्न प्रेरित गर्न सकिन्छ।
Living in harmony with nature
By Jaya, India
In the past, people lived in harmony with nature. Today, life depends more on modern conveniences. Let us build a future where development continues while nature remains protected.
Let us conserve our natural water resources so that future generations do not have to depend on bottled water.
The journey from drawing water from wells to relying on bottled water is a warning that the time to conserve water is now.
विकास वही है जो प्रकृति के साथ हो, उसके विरुद्ध नहीं।
पहले प्रकृति के साथ जीवन था, आज सुविधाओं के साथ जीवन है।
आइए ऐसा भविष्य बनाएँ जहाँ विकास भी हो और प्रकृति भी सुरक्षित रहे।
प्रकृति का जल बचाइए, ताकि भविष्य बोतलबंद पानी पर निर्भर न हो।
कुएँ से बोतल तक का यह सफर हमें चेतावनी देता है कि अब जल संरक्षण का समय आ गया है।
In a world of machines
By Pawan, India
I once spoke with an elderly farmer from my village about traditional farming methods. He explained that the machinery available today did not exist in the past. All the members of his family worked together and completed the farming activities themselves.
At that time, they used traditional farming tools such as बेलहार (Shovel / Spade) लाला (Wooden Leveller) कुड़ी (Hand-hoe / Hand-trowel) खांटा (Digging Bar / Iron Crowbar) चापड़ (Broad Sickle / Cutter) कुदाल (Hoe / Mattock) चाड़ (Scraper) . They had to do all the work by hand. He said, “Today, I am 75 years old, and my health is still very good because I remained physically active.”
I learned from him that we should not depend entirely on machines.
मैंने अपने गाँव के एक किसान दादाजी से खेती करने के तरीके पर बात की। उन्होंने बताया कि आज के समय में जितनी भी मशीनें हैं, पहले ये सब नहीं थीं। हम लोग घर के सभी परिवारजन मिलकर स्वयं काम करते थे।
हम लोगों के समय में खेती के औजार बैलहर, लाठाकुड़ी, खंती, चपाड़, कुदाल और चाँड थे। ये सभी काम स्वयं करने पड़ते थे। इसीलिए आज मैं ७५ साल का हूँ और मेरी सेहत इस उम्र में भी काफी अच्छी है।
दादाजी से हमें यह सीख मिली कि हम लोगों को भी मशीनों के भरोसे नहीं रहना चाहिए, क्योंकि पैसे भी खर्च होते हैं और शरीर को भी नुकसान होता है।
मैं इस नई पीढ़ी से कहना चाहूँगा कि पारंपरिक खेती के तरीके ही सही थे, जिनसे हमारी सेहत भी अच्छी रहेगी और पैसों की भी बचत होगी।
Life in the past
By Vandana, India
I asked my grandmother how trees and plants in the past were different from those we see today. My grandmother and father explained that there were many forests in the past, which resulted in more rainfall. Today, because the forests have disappeared, rainfall no longer occurs at the proper time.
Before, there was greenery everywhere. People mostly travelled by horse-drawn carriages, bullock carts, and rickshaws. Today, the number of vehicles has increased so much that their harmful effects on the environment can clearly be seen. Today, rivers, ponds, and wells have all become polluted. In the past, people used water from these sources, but now they can no longer use it because the water has become contaminated.
In the past, people cooked food using firewood and cow-dung cakes. Today, they cook using gas and heaters, which affects our health. Many illnesses, such as digestive problems, diabetes, and tuberculosis, are becoming common.
In the past, people treated their illnesses with herbal medicines and recovered. Today, even after taking different kinds of medicines, people are still not healthy. All these problems are the result of changes in our environment.
After listening to them, I learned that we should all work together to keep our environment clean so that we can become healthy again.
पहले और आज के पर्यावरण में अंतर
हमने अपनी दादी से पूछा कि पहले और अब के पेड़-पौधों में क्या अंतर है। तब दादी और पापा दोनों ने मिलकर बताया कि पहले बहुत जंगल थे। इसलिए अधिक वर्षा होती थी। अब जंगल नहीं रहने के कारण वर्षा समय पर नहीं होती है।
पहले चारों तरफ हरियाली थी। पहले के लोग टमटम, बैलगाड़ी और रिक्शे से अधिक सफर करते थे। अब इतनी गाड़ियाँ हो गई हैं कि हमारे पर्यावरण पर भारी असर देखने को मिल रहा है।
आज नदियाँ, तालाब और कुएँ सब प्रदूषित हो गए हैं। पहले के लोग नदियों, तालाबों और कुओं के पानी का भी इस्तेमाल करते थे। अब इनका इस्तेमाल नहीं होता है, क्योंकि पानी दूषित हो गया है।
पहले के लोग लकड़ी और गोरहा पर खाना बनाते थे। अब गैस और हीटर पर खाना बनाते हैं। इससे हमारे शरीर पर असर पड़ता है। इससे कई प्रकार की बीमारियाँ, जैसे गैस बनना, शुगर और टीबी जैसी बीमारियाँ फैलती हैं।
पहले के लोग जड़ी-बूटी की दवाइयाँ खाकर बीमारी ठीक कर लेते थे। अब कई प्रकार की दवाइयाँ खाकर भी स्वस्थ नहीं हैं। यह सब हमारे पर्यावरण का असर है।
हमें यह बात सुनकर सीख मिली कि हम सबको मिलकर पर्यावरण को साफ रखना चाहिए, ताकि हर व्यक्ति का स्वास्थ्य अच्छा रहे और मिट्टी सुधरती रहे।
What my grandfather taught me
By Ganga, Nepal
Grandfather taught us the way to farm,
A practice connected with nature’s charm.
Animal manure and compost made,
Helped every crop grow well in the field.
He preserved the finest seeds with care,
To plant them again the following year.
Let us protect forests and increase greenery,
And provide healthy food for everybody.
Let us respect our grandfather’s knowledge
And practice natural farming together.
Grandfather’s wisdom and love for nature
Guide us towards organic agriculture.
Let us protect forests and preserve our seeds,
And work together to build a healthy Nepal.
"Let us protect forests and preserve our seeds,
And work together to build a healthy Nepal."
बाले सिकाउनुभयो खेतीको बाटो,
प्रकृतिसँग जोडिएको राम्रो थियो चाल।
गोबर मल, कम्पोस्ट मल,
त्यसैले हुन्थ्यो उब्जनी सफल।
राम्रो बिउ जोगाइराख्ने,
अर्को वर्ष फेरि छर्ने।
जङ्गल जोगाऔँ, हरियाली बढाऔँ,
स्वस्थ अन्न सबैलाई खुवाऔँ।
बाजेको ज्ञान सबैले मानौँ,
अर्गानिक खेती सबैले अपनाऔँ।
बाको ज्ञान, प्रकृतिको माया,
अर्गानिक खेती हाम्रो छाया।
जङ्गल जोगाऔँ, बिउ पनि बचाऔँ,
स्वस्थ नेपाल मिलेर बनाऔँ।
Our ancestors' knowledge
By Rejina, Nepal
Agriculture was the main source of income for our ancestors. They farmed without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, they used farmyard manure, compost, leaf litter, and liquid organic fertilizer. They prepared organic fertilizer by decomposing cow and buffalo dung, animal urine, dried leaves, grass, ash, biodegradable kitchen waste, and fallen leaves collected from the forest.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were not available in the past, so they used different plants as natural alternatives to pesticides. These practices supported good harvests without harming the environment. However, the knowledge passed down by our ancestors is gradually disappearing because of modern farming practices.
Today, different chemical fertilizers and pesticides are increasingly used to produce more crops. The environment is being harmed, the fertility of the soil is declining, and agricultural production is gradually decreasing.
We need to follow our ancestors’ example and return to natural farming. When practicing agriculture, we must consider not only our present needs but also the future.
हाम्रा पुर्खाहरूको मुख्य आम्दानीको स्रोत भनेकै खेतीपाती हुने गर्दथ्यो। उहाँहरूले खेतीपाती गर्दा रासायनिक मल र विषादीको प्रयोग नगरी गोबर मल, कम्पोस्ट मल, सोत्तर तथा झोलमलको प्रयोग गरेर खेती गर्नुहुन्थ्यो।
उहाँहरूले गाईभैँसीको गोबर, गहुँत, सुकेका पात, घाँस, खरानी, भान्साबाट निस्केको जैविक फोहोर तथा वनबाट ल्याइएको पत्कर कुहाएर मल बनाउनुहुन्थ्यो। पहिले रासायनिक मल र विषादी पाइँदैनथे। त्यसैले विभिन्न वनस्पतिको प्रयोग विषादीको साटो गरिन्थ्यो। यसले गर्दा उत्पादन पनि राम्रो हुन्थ्यो र वातावरणलाई पनि हानि गर्दैनथ्यो।
तर अहिले आधुनिक कृषि प्रणालीका कारण हाम्रा पुर्खाले दिएको ज्ञान हराउँदै गएको छ। अहिलेको समयमा आइपुग्दा धेरै उत्पादन गर्ने उद्देश्यले विभिन्न रासायनिक मल र विषादीको प्रयोग बढ्दै गएको छ। यसले गर्दा वातावरणमा असर परेको छ, माटोको उर्वराशक्ति घट्दै गएको छ र उत्पादनमा कमी हुँदै आएको छ।
हामीले हाम्रा हजुरबुबा र हजुरआमाले जैविक खेती गरेर उत्पादन गरेको देखेका नै छौँ। उहाँहरूले गाईवस्तुको मल र गहुँतको प्रयोग गरेर खेतीपाती गर्नुहुन्थ्यो। उहाँहरूले उत्पादन गर्नुभएका बालीहरू गुणस्तरीय हुन्थे।
तर अहिले धेरै उत्पादन गर्ने होडबाजीमा रासायनिक मलको प्रयोग गरेर माटो र वातावरणलाई असर पुर्याइरहेका छौँ र बाली पनि गुणस्तरहीन उत्पादन भइरहेको छ। हामीले पनि हाम्रा पुर्खाहरूले जस्तै जैविक खेती गर्न जरुरी छ। यसबाट हामीले स्वस्थ बाली उत्पादन गर्न सक्छौँ र माटोको उर्वराशक्ति पनि जोगाउन सक्छौँ।
हामीले खेतीपाती गर्दा वर्तमान अवस्थालाई हेरेर मात्र नभई भविष्यका बारेमा पनि सोच्नु जरुरी छ। यदि यसरी नै रासायनिक मल र विषादीको प्रयोग गर्दै जाने हो भने पछि गएर माटोको उर्वराशक्ति घट्ने त्रास हुन्छ र उत्पादनमा पनि कमी हुन्छ।
West Africa
Poems and written work from Senegal, Ghana and Burkina Faso .
Les racines m’ont rappelée, l’esprit a voyagé
WODJI, SENEGAL
Je suis de Ndiaganiao, Ndiaganiao mon patrimoine. Fille de paysan, j’ai grandi là où la terre nourrit les rêves avant même de nourrir les hommes.
I am from Ndiaganiao; Ndiaganiao is my heritage. As a farmer’s daughter, I grew up where the land nourishes dreams even before it nourishes people.
Ndiaganiao, mon patrimoine ; à la faculté des sciences juridiques et politiques, ils pensaient que mon destin se trouvait au Barreau, dans les bureaux, entre les discours et les négociations.
Ndiaganiao, my heritage—at the School of Law and Political Science, they thought my destiny lay in the bar, in offices, in between speeches and negotiations.
Mais mon cœur et mon esprit ont murmuré le langage de la terre. Car les racines ne se coupent pas avec un diplôme.
But my heart and mind whispered the language of the earth. For roots cannot be severed by a diploma.
Ndiaganiao, Alors, J’ai choisi de revenir sur la terre-mère. Non pas pour un rêve manqué, mais par conviction,
Ndiaganiao, So, I chose to return to Mother Earth. Not because of a dream unfulfilled, but out of conviction,
Gardienne de la terre, écologiste, je transforme l’héritage de mes parents pour l’avenir de ma génération et de celle à venir.
As a guardian of the earth and an environmentalist, I am transforming my parents’ legacy for the future of my generation and of those to come.
Hoo ! Ndiaganiao mon patrimoine, je suis fière de mon temple du savoir. Mais je suis plus fière encore d’avoir compris que la plus belle réussite, c’est de faire renaître la terre-mère et de faire fleurir ses racines par amour et passion.
Hoo! Ndiaganiao, my heritage—I am proud of my temple of knowledge. But I am even prouder to have realized that the greatest achievement is to revive Mother Earth and let her roots flourish through love and passion.
Mon message pour demain / My message for tomorrow
"L’agriculture a toujours été l’une des plus grandes activités de substances et de richesses."
Fille de paysan, j’ai grandi là où la terre nourrit les rêves avant même de nourrir les hommes.
I am even prouder to have realized that the greatest achievement is to revive Mother Earth and let her roots flourish through love and passion.
Recalling the tools that didn't harm the earth
BY FUSEINA, GHANA
Growing up, we were told by our fathers about their fathers’ use of traditional hoes for farming. They never used tractors. They would seek help or hire other farmers. They would call upon each other to prepare personal lands until everyone in the community had their lands tilled. They would do the same during harvest. He mentioned they never used chemical fertilizers. What they did was, after farming, they left the by-products of the crops on the farm. Bush burning was not a thing of that period since they fought against it. They would leave them on the farm until the next rains. The by-products were not burnt. It protected the soil from the harsh sun and the microorganisms in it. It is unlike recent times, where bush burning is rampant, and there is more use of chemical fertilizers for tilling the land, which causes erosion on farmlands.
« Protéger la nature, c'est protéger nos âmes»
Le bien-être de l'être humain est profondément lié à celui de la nature.
La nature nous apporte l'air que nous respirons, l'eau que nous buvons et la nourriture que nous mangeons. La détruire, c'est nous nuire à nous-mêmes, la protéger, c'est préserver c'est notre santé, notre paix intérieure et notre avenir.
Un message d'Ousmane, Burkina Faso
“Protecting nature means protecting our souls.”
Human well-being is deeply connected to that of nature. Nature provides us with the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Destroying it harms us; protecting it preserves our health, our inner peace, and our future.
A message from Ousmane, Burkina Faso
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