VOA慢速英語:聯(lián)合國慶祝農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)

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Hello and welcome to As It Is from VOA LearningEnglish! I’m Anna Matteo in Washington.

On today’s As It Is, we will hear two agricultural storiesthat have something in common. The United Nationscelebrates them both. The UN named 2013 the “International Year of the Quinoa.”

For 2014, they celebrate “The International Year ofFamily Farming.” Many call family farming the mainform of farming worldwide. We will hear more aboutthat later in the show.

But why celebrate quinoa? Why does a tiny, ancientgrain deserve a UN celebration? Here’s agricultural reporter ChristopherCruise to explain.

Quinoa

When a grain becomes popular worldwide, there are two main effects. Farmers who grow the grain earn more in profits. And people who use it forfood pay more.

Quinoa, a grain native to South America, has become popular in many areasin recent years. In fact, the United Nations’ General Assembly approved adeclaration making 2013, “The International Year of the Quinoa.”

Quinoa is a traditional food crop in the Andes Mountains. The plant grows in an area near Lake Titicaca, along the border of Peru and Bolivia. Historicalevidence shows that local people were growing quinoa as far back as fivethousand to seven thousand years ago. During this period, they used both theseeds and leaves of this wild plant.

There are many kinds of quinoa. The plant can be grown in differentclimates. And it does not require a lot of water. Both the seeds and leavescan be used as food. The seed is the most commonly used part.

Quinoa can be ground into flour or cooked whole. It is used in cereals, drinksand fresh salads. It can also be mixed with vegetables or beans for a fullmeal. The leaves and stems can also be used for medicinal purposes. Some people use them to reduce pain, heal wounds and even keep insectsaway.

Quinoa is full of amino acids and minerals. Amino acids are organiccompounds that form protein. The body needs them to help break down food, and to grow and repair tissue.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization believes that quinoa can be usedto fight hunger and feed a growing world population. The reason is the highvalue of protein provided by quinoa. The crop has also become popularamong those seeking healthier ways to eat. The center of the seed containsup to 45 percent protein.

Quinoa is currently grown in more than 70 countries. Peru and Boliviatogether produce 92 percent of the crop. The rest comes mainly from theUnited States, Ecuador, Canada and Argentina.

Starting about 10 years ago, the popularity of Quinoa caused its price to risequickly. Many Bolivian farmers have gained from this increase by earningmore. They have been able to buy vehicles and other goods with theincreased profits.

However, other Bolivians have had to give up their main food because it coststoo much. Instead they are buying and cooking with other foods that are not as rich in healthy minerals and proteins.

I’m Christopher Cruise.

And I’m Anna Matteo in Washington. You are listening to VOA LearningEnglish.

Now we move on to another United Nations celebration. The UN has declared2014 the “International Year of Family Farming.” Family farms are the mainform of agriculture around the world. But keeping a farm operating is noteasy.

Milagros Ardin reports.

UN Declares 2014 International Year of Family Farming

Family farming has been called the main form of agriculture around the world. The United Nations has declared 2014 the “International Year of FamilyFarming.”

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says the year-long campaign isdesigned to increase public understanding of farms owned and operated byfamilies. It says farm families are important producers of food for growingpopulations.

But many family farms do not provide the same worker benefits as largecompany farms. Many family farms cannot provide retirement plans, healthcare or child care. So, the FAO wants to get family farming included innational policies that support agriculture. The goal is to create a balanced andequal environment so family farmers can succeed.

Weather problems, price drops and weak world economies can hurt familyfarmers. For many, a single crop can mean failure or survival.

It is difficult for many family farmers around the world to gain the land, waterand other resources needed to farm. The UN has helped establish more than50 national committees to deal with these issues. The committees are madeup of representatives of family farm communities.

Together, they decided on five goals to reach during 2014. One is to establishpolicies to make equal the rights of men and women farmers. They also wantto guarantee that nations have the right to develop their own food production.

The committees hope to require governments to accept and follow certainenvironmental guidelines. And, they want governments of mainly agriculturalpopulations to provide financial support to farmers. Finally, the committeesagreed to work to support young people in agriculture.

I’m Milagros Ardin.

And I’m Anna Matteo. For more stories, go to our website atlearningenglish.voanews.com, where you can also comment on our stories. And join us tomorrow for another As It Is on the Voice of America.