Knowledge into nourishment
PDG Una Hobday OAM, Chair – Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group
As we are more than halfway through the Rotary year, many clubs and districts begin to consolidate all the work they have undertaken. Here, at Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group, we have been very busy; creating resources, launching a new website, and receiving Letters of Support from preeminent leaders.
Sadly, malnutrition remains one of the world’s greatest challenges. The resources we create empower communities worldwide with the knowledge to grow and eat nutrient-rich, climate-resilient food plants.
When you, your club, your district, or your business supports us there are multiple impacts:
Immediate Impact – Your support funds practical, life-saving education on sustainable nutrition.
A True Rotary Legacy – Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group embodies Rotary’s commitment to sustainable change, ensuring people don’t just receive food—they gain the knowledge to feed themselves for generations.
Your Support Counts – Every dollar extends the reach of Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group, creating meaningful change where it’s needed most.
As you consider how to allocate your club’s / district funds, we invite you to be part of something bigger.Your support doesn’t just provide a temporary solution—it empowers communities with knowledge that lasts a lifetime.
If you’d like to discuss how your contribution can make the greatest impact, we’d love to connect with you. Together, we can turn knowledge into nourishment, ensuring a healthier future for communities in need.
Thank you for your continued commitment to making a difference with the ‘Magic of Rotary’.
Yours in Rotary,
PDG Una Hobday OAM, Chair, Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group
What Is the Most Effective Way of Overcoming the “Hurricane of Hunger”?
Roland Bunch
Antonio Guterrez, the Secretary General of the United Nations, has described the rapidly worsening famine now spreading around the developing world as the “Hurricane of Hunger.” This famine, according to UN statistics of those in serious need of food aid, could well kill anywhere from 60 million to as many as 200 million children over the next two to three decades, which would make it by far the worst famine in human history. Better Soils, Better Lives has been working ever since the mid-1970s with what are now called “green manure/cover crops” (gm/ccs), thereby becoming the world’s most widely recognized expert on the cheapest, simplest and most beneficial way to overcome this famine.
To cure a disease, one must first diagnose it accurately. In this case, we must realize that the lack of rainwater is only 20% of the cause of the droughts, After all, in most of the tropical world, rainfall has decreased by less than 10%. The real culprit is soil degradation—mainly the lack of organic matter, which leaves clay soils as hard as a rock, reducing the amount of rainwater that can infiltrate into the soil by 65 to 80%!
By far the cheapest and easiest way for farmers to overcome this problem is by intercropping gm/ccs, including trees, with their subsistence crops. These gm/ccs consist of food crops that add huge amounts of organic matter to the soil.
But this process is far more beneficial if these same plants produce large amounts of food rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, forming what in effect is a food forest.In fact, our over-all motto is to “imitate the forest.” And since tropical forests maintain the fertility of the soil, never suffer from droughts, control insects and plant diseases, produce massive amounts of biodiverse organic matter, and require zero human labor to grow for millennia, our gm/cc fields have virtually all of these advantages, too.
Better Soils works mostly through other organizations that are doing high-quality work to increase smallholder farmers’ welfare by overcoming the famine, and, like Food Plant Solutions, providing useful information on how to more productively grow and better prepare many different species of food crops. The result of smallholder farmers’ own experimentation over the centuries, plus the work of Better Soils and other organizations collaborating with us, is that today, already, over 17 million smallholder farmers around the world are using gm/ccs to produce better yields than ever, even during the worst “droughts”.
Unique composting program in Pacific Island countries
Gerry Gillespie
Food Plant Solutions has been asked to partner in the expansion of a unique composting program in Pacific Island countries which will build on recent success in Samoa. As it expands and grows, in addition to nappies the project can include commercial food waste while supporting food production using Food Plant Solutions existing research.
Nappies containing plastic represent almost 32% of the waste stream in Upolu and 31% in Savaii.They constitute 27% of the overall waste stream in Pacific Island countries. Household food wastes are a precious commodity as they serve as food for chickens and pigs. Lacking appropriate waste disposal methods, most nappy waste ends up in the environment and in the ocean, leading to increasing quantities of microplastic pollution which is now reaching critical levels.
The Greater Good project, supported by the Duchess of York, is addressing this issue by supplying village women with compostable nappies at the same price as plastic nappies. In villages, washable nappies are a challenging alternative to pursue due to inconsistent water and electricity supplies as well as lack of sanitation facilities. By using compostable nappies, the faeces and urine in the nappies is captured as an asset.
The project is using the Maye Bruce composting box, which was used as part of the ‘Dig for Victory’ food production program in England in World War II. Supplemented by the Static Pile Inoculated Compost Extension (SPICE) inoculant, now in use around the world. The process can produce a high quality, pathogen-free compost in around 8 weeks without turning or additional energy input. Once sealed the Maye Bruce boxes hold temperatures higher than 60 deg C for over a week which ensure pasteurisation.
The Samoa project employs 18 local village women. For every 100 babies using compostable nappies, 700 kg of plastic waste is eliminated. With locals now trained in the process, the project aims to serve all 400 villages in Samoa as a ‘train the trainer’ program. The project aims to soon be operating in Tuvalu with a focus to moving on to other Pacific nations and globally in Small Island Developing States.
Future partners will include the Great Good Project, WREN Pty Ltd, Food Plant Solutions and the Stump Jump Foundation.
Rotaract’s Approach to Ending Malnutrition and Food Insecurity
Emmanuel Maleka Simba, Food Plant Solutions Rotaractor Champion, Uganda
Greening Our Communities for a Sustainable Future:
At the Rotaract Earth Initiative (REI) in Kasese in early October 2024, I was privileged to share a compelling vision for combating malnutrition and food insecurity through a “Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group” approach. I emphasized the indispensable role Rotaractors can play in promoting the cultivation and consumption of nutrient-rich, locally sourced neglected food plants, while highlighting the importance of community organic gardens, educational workshops on balanced diets, and partnerships with local farmers to ensure sustainable access to nutritious food. “It’s not just about providing food, it’s about empowering communities to grow their own, while fostering long-term food security and improving overall health”, I pointed out. My presentation sparked a lively discussion among Rotaractors across Rotary Districts D9214 and D9213, with many eager to get involved in implementing similar initiatives in their own communities.
Finding Innovative Solutions to Challenges in Environmental Conservation:
Fruit-trees Uganda, a community-based organization organized its annual environmental sustainability workshop in September, 2024, where I spoke about Food Plant Solutions remarkable work in advancing the planting of neglected locally available fruit trees, not only as a source of food and income, but also as an essential tool for combating deforestation and climate change. I shared inspiring stories of communities transformed by the adoption of organic fruit tree gardens, demonstrating the tangible impact of sustainable environmental practices we do. “Food Plant Solutions partnership with the Mustard Seed Institute in our neighborhood, Rwanda, is a true testament to our power in combining environmental conservation with economic empowerment”, I stated. “By planting these neglected but locally available fruit trees which are moreover highly nutritious, we’re investing in a greener future for Uganda, while also providing families with a sustainable livelihood”, I added.
Empowering Youth for Philanthropic Leadership: A Food Plants Solution Approach:
While at annual youth leadership summit (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2025) held earlier this year in the heart of Jinja City across the source of River Nile, I passionately advocated for the empowerment of young people in philanthropic endeavors.
As the Rotaractor Champion, I presented Food Plant Solutions to fellow Rotaractors, as a powerful platform for youth engagement and further hinted on the potential that young people can harness to become agents of change in their communities. I inspired the audience with examples of youth-led initiatives focused on food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability with an example of Rotaract Club of Mbarara University of Science and Technology currently volunteering to translate the Good Gardening Field Guides to Lusoga, a local language native of people from Eastern Uganda. “Young people are not just the future, they are the present, therefore providing them with the tools and resources they need can empower them to become philanthropic leaders and create a better world for all”, I declared as I concluded.
Service Above Self and Beyond…
Food Plant Solutions offers free educational materials explaining the importance of nutritious food, its benefits, and how to grow and use it. However, to maximize the impact and reach of these resources, we urgently need more volunteer support to distribute and promote them widely, ensuring everyone can benefit. I strongly believe that translating these guides into local languages will overcome the community resistance to such vital programs and increase their acceptability, uptake and effectiveness. This translation initiative, part of the broader Food Plant Solutions works, will empower local farmers with the knowledge they need to improve yields, enhance food security and build resilience to climate change. Knowledge is power, and by making agroecological information accessible to all farmers, regardless of language, we can unlock the full potential of Ugandan agriculture and ensure food security for generations to come across Africa. With youth on board, it will simplify the penetration of this program into local communities and ensure its sustainment in this rapidly changing ecosystem.
Wewe ni wakala wa kweli wa mabadiliko, na iwe hivyo! [Swahili version: You’re the true agent of change, so be it!]
The importance of strong networks and partnerships
Organisations with shared aims, supporting each other is key to ending hunger and malnutrition, which both Food Plant Solutions and ISAN magazine actively practice.
ISAN magazine is dedicated to building a strong network of informed civil society actors and organisations across the southern African region to advocate for organic agriculture and agroecology as a framework for regional food and farming systems.
Recently an article from Food Plant Solutions ‘Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition with Climate-Resilient Crops’ was included in an ISAN edition (page 31).
Learn more about ISAN magazine!
Global recognition
Our work has received positive feedback and recommendations from world-renowned organisations, recognising Food Plant Solutions as a transformative force in combating malnutrition and promoting sustainable food security.
These endorsements reflect the global impact of our innovative approach, empowering communities with practical, locally adapted solutions to improve health and build resilience. Don’t take our word for it – read what the experts are saying.
Alumni working to end malnutrition, hunger and food insecurity
Recently Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group founder, Buz Green AM, was interviewed for the University of Tasmania’s Alumni and Friends enews about Food Plant Solutions; why he started it and what it has and can achieve.
With permission we are delighted to share this interview with you. Interview
Position Vacant
Food Plant Solutions (FPS) is a not-for-profit organisation that creates educational resources focusing on sustainable solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and food security. Formed in 2007 and based in Tasmania, Food Plant Solutions has a global focus and is internationally recognised.
We are seeking a Publication Administration Assistant to join our team on a casual basis for up to 10 hours per fortnight. Reporting directly to the Publications Director, this role provides key support in the creation of resources.
What the role involves:
- Follow written and video instruction / tutorials to identify plants using predefined selection criteria for inclusion in a range of FPS educational resources.
- Prepare draft resources for review
- Compile draft resources based on predetermined criteria.
- Quality check final version publications
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience in an administrative or office support role
- Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and Canva
- Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
- Ability to follow written instructions.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated initiative and integrity.
Strong preference will be given to candidates who are available for face-to-face training in Tasmania.
Apply by 10 March 2025, addressing all criteria and including a current CV: info@foodplantsolutions.org
Please note, this position will not commence until June 2025
