Inside The Americas- Bolivia's winning battle against food insecurity

In-depth reports and analysis from our extensive network of correspondents throughout the region on the most important developments in Latin America. Bolivia was recently recognized by the United Nations (UN) for its work in combating food insecurity. With a government that sees food as a fundamental human right rather than just another product grown for monetary gain, essential changes have come about in the way the country governs, funds, and regulates food production as well as its sale and distribution. Particular attention has been paid to small and medium production and injecting capital and assistance in the communities that have the land and the labor, but not the resources to increase production to meet increased demand. Victor Hugo Vazquez, Bolivia's Vice-Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture, is the key component in Bolivia's fight to combat food insecurity in the country. He has become personally familiarized with areas that were once great unknowns to previous governments. Now it is small farmers who grow 70 percent of the nation's food, and the hunger that was a part of daily life for Bolivians, has for many become a memory- a memory not to be forgotten, so it may continue to inspire growth. teleSUR