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Tue 13th May 2008
	13:00	What Can Science Do For Me?
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Recipe for Disaster

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Actor and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah goes to Senegal to investigate how international trade is harming local rice farmers.

Many Senegalese farmers view the worldwide trade system as unfair because farmers in Europe, Asia and North America receive government subsidies to export their rice to places like Senegal where it can be sold much cheaper than the local produce.

Kwame in Senegal

Kwame spoke to a local rice farmer, Mamadou Niang, who said it was becoming more difficult for him to sell his crop and if he does, the price is very low.

Last year Mamadou only made £100 from his whole crop of rice - enough to feed his family for just 5 months. He was forced to sell some of his cattle to ensure his family didn't starve.

What the farmers want, Kwame discovered, was an opportunity to sell their produce before other exports are allowed into the country. The film shows why changes in international trade rules need to be made so that free trade is fair, and developing countries can trade their way out of poverty.

Kwame hopes that Christian Aid, through its Trade Justice Campaign will eventually enable poor countries to support their own farmers and traders.

Last Updated ( Friday, 22 February 2008 )

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Senegal: Recipe For Disaster

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