Humanity has been told from various scientific sources that the earth can provide adequate food for humanity. What prevents that from occurring?
The Bahá’í Writings explain: “...a key reality of the contemporary world: … the roots of numerous global challenges lie in how human beings view, value, respond to, and relate to one another.” Strengthening Solidarity: Social Cohesion as a Driver of Development - 2025
“...the essence of the … teachings of Bahá’u’lláh …”is the unity of humankind, the plan and the path for its realization… (sic-and) the founding of necessary provisions for the prosperity of the world on the basis of unity, justice, and peace.” Universal House of Justice-2017
In terms of viewing farming and the farmer as essential to the issue of food security; Abdu’l-Bahá said “The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be producers.” Other Bahá’í holy writings aver that: “It is fitting to begin with the farmer in matters related to economics, for the farmer is the first active agent in human society.” In addition, Bahá’u’lláh says: “Nature is God’s Will and is its expression in and through the contingent world.” It behooves humanity to realize that the natural world is a trust for which all members are responsible. Growing food is the foundation stone of this trust.
Over centuries farmers developed sustainability practices to promote and provide for the future of their society. In many areas farming families are the heart of a community. Farming is the source of all wealth in a community. It is also the source of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. There is a growing acknowledgement that humanity as a whole is responsible for the protection of the natural environment, that humanity is organic with the natural world.
The essential factor in ensuring food security is as ’Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “The supreme need of humanity is cooperation and reciprocity. The stronger the ties of fellowship and solidarity amongst men, the greater will be the power of constructiveness and accomplishment in all the planes of human activity.” “We must now highly resolve to arise and lay hold of all those instrumentalities that promote the peace and well-being and happiness, the knowledge, culture and industry, the dignity, value and station, of the entire human race.”
“…human prosperity is determined as much by social, moral, and relational factors as by technological, material, and financial ones. …meaningful social development is ultimately impossible without the cultivation of trustworthiness and honesty, generosity and camaraderie, cooperation and a sense of responsibility for collective well-being..” Strengthening Solidarity: Social Cohesion as a Driver of Development – 2025
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