Impact of the FTA with Colombian Small-Scale Framers

Impact of the FTA with Colombian Small-Scale Framers and Workers 

How to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ny3C3d-ToI 

Director: | Producer: Enlalucha Films, US Office on Colombia 

Produced | Country: Colombia  

Run Time: 6.41 minutes  | Language: Spanish (English subtitles) 

Synopsis:  Today, the U.S. Office on Colombia, along with more than 400 other organizations, academics, and individuals from the United States and Colombia, sent a letter to the U.S. Congress asking representatives to vote no on the pending U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA). The Labor Action Plan has not stopped new violence on trade unionists and labor activists from taking place, nor has it banned third party contracting that obstructs workers’ ability to unionize. 

Opinion: This powerful video voices the opinions of small-scale farmers, laborers and women of how rural areas in Colombia are being displaced. See how hegemonic countries affect the developing world. 

Land Rush: Why Poverty

How to view: Full film available for streaming and download at http://www.whypoverty.net/en/all-about/land-rush/

Director: | Producer: BBC
Produced | Country: 
Run Time: 58:00 | Language: English

Synopsis:
75% of Mali’s population are farmers, but rich, land-hungry nations like China and Saudi Arabia are leasing Mali’s land in order to turn large areas into agribusiness farms. Many Malian peasants do not welcome these efforts, seeing them as yet another manifestation of imperialism. As Mali experiences a military coup, the developers are scared off – but can Mali’s farmers combat food shortages and escape poverty on their own terms?

Opinion:

Recommendation:

Chocolate Country

Viewer: Brittany Collins

How to view: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/chocolate_country

About:
Director: Robin Blotnick | Producer: 
Produced: 2010 | Country:
Run time: 5 minutes | Language:

Synopsis: In the backcountry of the Dominican Republic, poor cacao farmers have been fighting a losing battle with the global economy for as long as anyone can remember.  The Loma Guacnojo cooperative has found a way to turn the system on its head.

Opinion:
This short film shows how farmers unite in a cooperative, and how the middlemen are cut out of the system so that the farmers directly benefit more.  It's a great display of investing in small-scale food producers!

Recommendation:

La Via Campesina in Movement... Food Sovereignty Now!

La Via Campesina in Movement



Viewer: Zhenxi


How to view: http://vimeo.com/27473286; downloadable version available

Director: | Producer: La Via Campesina

Run Time: | Language: 20 min/ English

Synopsis: La Via Campesina is a social movement started in 1993 that advocates for small-scale farming and local consumption. This video shows the reality of the food production and the organization's effort in the movement.

Opinion: Not directly relevant to GROW campaign but good to learn about the movement.