Not Awards: Weaponized Starvation Demands Accountability and Action

Tigray's agricultural narrative was once an inspiring tapestry woven boasting ambitious irrigation projects, innovative land management practices, and a deep respect for local knowledge. Women stood as active participants, driving agricultural decision-making and contributing to food security.

But like a cherished heirloom ripped apart, this story now presents a grim counterpoint. Genocidal war has ravaged Tigray's agricultural heartland, leaving farmlands scarred, irrigation systems shattered, and farmers displaced. This targeted assault has plunged millions into the abyss of famine, creating a heart-wrenching contrast between past promise and present suffering.

This article delves into the depths of this tragedy, exposing the weaponization of food, the disruption of markets, and the restricted humanitarian access that exacerbate the crisis. It challenges the narrative of normalcy painted by awards like the FAO's Agricola Medal, urging instead for accountability and decisive action.

Threads of Past Promise:

Tigray's agricultural story once resonated with the promise of self-sufficiency, attributed to ambitious irrigation projects and a strategic embrace of sustainable practices. This prospect was woven with the thread of integrating local knowledge and traditional techniques into modern methods. Tigray pioneered innovative soil and water conservation practices, able to combat land degradation and foster long-term productivity. A project, spearheaded by communities themselves, exemplified the power of collaborative action and local ownership in achieving sustainable agriculture. Women also played a vital role in Tigray's agricultural transformation. Equipped with training and resources, they actively participated in agricultural decision-making and income generation, significantly contributing to household food security and overall well-being.

The Grim Counterpoint:

However, the once-promising agricultural sector lies in ruins, devastated by the ongoing genocide. Farmlands bear the scars of genocidal war, irrigation systems are shattered, and essential services disrupted. Farmers have been displaced, vital inputs are scarce, and access to water limited. This targeted assault has driven over 3.5 million people to the brink of famine, creating a heart-breaking juxtaposition of past achievements and present struggles.

This dire situation is further compounded by restricted humanitarian access and the weaponization of food. Food production has plummeted, markets are disrupted, and essential aid deliveries are hindered. The dissonance between Tigray's potential and its current suffering sparks outrage and demands immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure accountability for the atrocities committed. 

Food and Agricultural Organization's Agricola Award

The decision to award the Agricola Medal to Abiy Ahmed is undue because it legitimizes a government who contributed to the crisis. This award ignores the suffering of millions of Ethiopians and particularly, Tigrayans. The FAO's decision to award the Agricola Medal to Abiy Ahmed overlooks the humanitarian crisis in Tigray. The award also sends a dangerous message and the FAO should reconsider its decision.

The Ethiopian government should be called upon to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens by ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to all regions, including Tigray according to the Pretoria Agreement. It must also abandon the weaponization of food and commit to rebuilding the agricultural infrastructure destroyed by the genocidal war.

Instead of giving undue awards, by acknowledging the complexities of the situation, holding responsible actors accountable, and prioritizing the well-being of the Tigrayan people, we can rise above the shadow of the current crisis and weave a future where food security is not a distant dream. 

The genocide-torn narrative of Tigray's agriculture shouldn't just evoke despair. It demands accountability. The Agricola Medal must spark an independent probe into the weaponization of food and attacks on infrastructure. Those responsible must be held responsible. But accountability is just the first thread. Unimpeded humanitarian access, as promised in the Pretoria Agreement, is crucial. Rebuilding irrigation systems, reviving markets, and empowering farmers are vital steps towards self-sufficiency.

Yet, true healing lies beyond reconstruction. Reinvigorating local knowledge, sustainable practices, and women's empowerment will rekindle the spirit of Tigray's agricultural transformation. Weaving these threads of past promise, we can build a new tapestry where food security becomes a reality, not a dream.

Silence and awards won't build this future. It requires unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the well-being of the Tigrayan people. The international community must rise to the challenge, ensuring Tigray's agricultural narrative becomes a testament to resilience, not despair.