The next question is from Dr. Agbéko Kodjo Tounou, a teacher and researcher of the Superior School of Agronomy at the University of Lomé.
Dr. Agbéko Kodjo Tounou: Hallo, Master. (Dr. Tounou, thank you.) Thank You for accepting to be here with us tonight to share this so important message. I have two questions. The first question is: According to You, what will be the benefits of organic farming regarding the current agricultural issues in Africa such as erosion, drought, deforestation, and infertile soil? The second question: What are the constraints and benefits of such agricultural practice? Thank You. (Thank you.)
Master: Hallo, Dr. Tounou. Thank you. (Hallo.) That’s a very good question. As you may realize from your research, the vegan diet is the real key and is the essence of the change needed for saving our planet.
Organic vegan is like a great bonus because organic growing methods benefit not only human health but also the environment. For example, a study conducted in the United States found that organic farming preserves topsoil and keeps water bodies clean, and if used worldwide, would have the potential to absorb and store approximately 40% of all present-day CO2 emissions each year. This would be a direct benefit to our Earth. The other aspects of vegan organic farming that are beneficial include things like crop rotation, mulching, and natural fertilizers. Crop rotation means that a field is planted each season with different crops. This variety [of] approaches helps keep the plants healthy and also restores fertility and nutrients to the soil. Other methods, such as mulching and even a new method called no-till organic farming, help retain moisture and reduce soil erosion considerably.
Deforestation is mostly caused by animal(-people) feed, as forests are cleared to plant crops for raising livestock, while hundreds of millions of people are starving in the world. So, in general, vegan organic farming follows a philosophy of living in harmony with nature and protection for the planet and all beings. The methods employed support the natural balance between farming and the environment. Over time, the combination of this care and practice through the techniques available, can go a long way toward restoring the balance from problems that may have arisen in the past.
Also, there are many successful stories for organic farming already across the continent of Africa. For example, in the area surrounding Cape Town, South Africa, the townships are growing 100% organic gardens, with crops that are sold locally. A similar operation has begun in Kenya and in Uganda, where organic fertilizers were recently introduced. They are already seeing success with the soil and harvest – on your own continent! There are more and more, just too many to list here. So the benefits are immense. I highly encourage you to pursue vegan organic farming methods, if at all possible.
Of course, it is possible. Everything is possible when we want to save our planet. Everything is possible. It has to be possible for our own survival. You can bring manifold benefits in doing so, and you can be one of the growing success stories as it becomes more and more popular. Thank you, Dr. Tounou. Good question. (Thank You.) God bless you with your future organic farming. (Thank You.)
The next question is from Madam Afiwa Pépévi Lodonou-Kpakpo. She is a teacher, research Director of the Institute of Information Science of Communication and Art at the University of Lomé. (Welcome, madame.)
Madam Afiwa Pépévi Lodonou-Kpakpo: Thank You for what You’ve done to save the planet. My question is related to weaning. The period of weaning is a difficult time in the life of a baby. Could You please give us some advice or an example of a vegan menu suitable for babies?
Master: Thank you, Madame Director Professor Lodonou-Kpakpo. Thank you for your concern. About the health of the precious youngest ones, the vegan menu is one of the most easily digestible in the whole world – and [it’s] the only one we should give to the babies and to ourselves. And it’s the most easily available; even from our backyard we can cultivate that. Also, by feeding our baby the vegan diet, we can protect our child from many of the allergens and toxic substances that are often part of the meat-based diet. Being entirely natural, it is so easy to transition to the vegan diet.
As for a menu, you can choose foods that are easy to obtain, nutritious and fresh. Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and some others in the vegetable kingdom are fine selections. If you have internet access, Professor, you can go to www.vrg.org. That is the website for the US organization named Vegetarian Resource Group, with guidelines and vegan recipes for babies. Please contact our Association members near your hometown if you need more help for the websites of vegan diet for babies. And on our website www.SupremeMasterTV.com, we also offer much information concerning other websites. You are free to download any of them.
The benefits of a vegan diet are evident even before the child is born. Studies in both the United States and the United Kingdom found that expectant mothers who were vegan basically have no morning sickness. This is because their bodies did not have to protect itself from the toxic effect of substances such as meat, which researchers discovered is one of the causes of morning sickness, as the body is trying to ward off their harmful effects.
Dr. Reed Mangels of the Vegetarian Resource Group wrote a vegan nutrition guide for babies. Her research indicates that vegan children tend to get more vitamins and minerals than children who are not. Moreover, the early start with this nutrient-rich daily diet means that the potential long-term benefits are that much greater. Namely, vegan babies and children grow up with higher resistance to illness. And from a food allergy perspective, the vegan diet immediately eliminates four out of eight, or 50% of the top known allergens from your child’s diet.
These are milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, all of which can cause lifelong or fatal health problems. So, starting our child out in life with a vegan diet could be one of the biggest gifts we can give as parents. To find a vegan menu for a child who is just beginning on solid foods, you can go to the website www.vrg.org, or you can check with any of our Association members who would be glad to help you find this information. Thank you for your valuable question, and good luck with the baby’s diet. (Thank You, Master.)
Photo Caption: Love the Welcoming Smile of Spring
