Nigeria, the world's seventh most populous country, is one of the world's largest food importers. The charismatic Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina, Nigerian Minister for Agriculture, believes it is his job to ensure Nigerians eat food grown in Nigeria. Experts say the Minister's plans could be a model for other African nations. But do people really want to eat only food grown at home? What impact do food policies have on the local economy and local diets? And in a globalized world, is self-sufficiency really the answer?

Other titles in this series are:

1. Old or New? - In Lima, Peru, a new generation of top chefs are cooking with traditional ingredients and supporting traditional livelihoods.

2. Food or Fuel? - Kenyan farmer Moses Shaha journeys through the Tana Delta, where farmers are starting to grow jatropha, a biofuel crop.

3. Big or Small? - What's the best method of growing food for a hungry population of 9.5 billion people: Big, or small?

4. Fat or Skinny? - The people of India are faced with a choice: indulge in a Western-style fast food diet, or embrace healthy and indigenous alternatives.

6. Stay or Go? - Who will grow China's food as young people leave the countryside for the cities?



Grade Level: 7-12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2013     Copyright Date: 2012
DVD ISBN: 1-93777-263-2

Reviews "Near or Far? provides much needed good news from Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa in general and Nigeria in particular have the resources to feed itself with food left over for export. Inappropriate government policy has been the major reason why the sub-region is still a net food importer. The Nigerian minister of agriculture has a viable vision to expand food production to feed the current and future generations of Nigerians and he has the experience, knowledge and leadership qualifications to make it happen. Watch Near or Far? and see the model for accelerated African food production." Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Professor Emeritus of Food, Nutrition and Public Policy, Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship, Professor Emeritus of Applied Economics, Cornell University, Adjunct Professor of Agricultural Economics, Copenhagen University, Author, Seeds of Contention "Very impressive. These films present current problems in global food production and consumption with unstinting clarity. They highlight figures who advocate for indigenous crops without simply turning back the clock or giving in to the Western model of industrial scale agriculture. They propose models which value the local economy and yet think progressively in ways that will help people deal with rising population and increasingly volatile market for foodstuffs. These are thinkers, activists, politicians and farmers who will shape the future of food around the world." Ken Albala, Professor of History, University of the Pacific, Author, Beans: A History "These films put food in a global perspective, pushing the boundaries of discussions about local, artisanal, and organic foods." Fabio Parasecoli, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Food Studies, The New School, Author, Bite Me! Food in Popular Culture, co-Editor, Cultural History of Food "The African nation of Nigeria was self-sufficient in food production until the discovery of oil. The oil economy led to massive increases in imports and a weakening of the agricultural sector. In the face of increasing costs and potential shortages, planners are seeking to make Nigeria self-sufficient once again. The insightful Near or Far? examines how different sectors, farmers, manufacturers, merchants, and politicians are working together to feed their country." Jane Fajans, Professor of Anthropology, Cornell University, Author, Brazilian Food: Race, Class and Identity in Regional Cuisines