A future for all, naturally Un avenir pour tous, naturellementEine Zukunft für alle, natürlich

Biovision – Foundation for ecologicaldevelopment

Annual Report 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

President’s Foreword 3

Management Report 4

Project Areas Human Health 6Animal Health 8Plant Health 10Environmental Health 12Knowledge Dissemination 14 Advocacy 16

Biovision Portrait 18

Financial Report Income Statement 20Operational Costs 22Project Expenditure 23

Efficiency Report Objectives of the Foundation 24Organisation 24

Partners 27

Thanks 29

Highlights 2011 30

Dr. Hans R. Herren

FoRewoRd | 3

Dear Supporters,In the last two years the Biovision Foundation has been heavily involved in preparatory sessions for the important UN confer-ence “Rio +20” on sustainable development. It is important to us that environmentally compatible and socially fair agriculture should at last be recognised and promoted in the highest circles of government as the essential foundation for a green economy.

With some 525 million smallholdings worldwide producing 70 per cent of all food, small-holder agriculture is today the biggest employer – and this by a large margin. These family enterprises will be able to feed the ever-growing populations of developing countries and give them decent work without overexploiting the soils and water resources, without clearing forests or destroying other valuable ecosystems. As Biovision’s experiences in East Africa prove – and as do countless other projects in tropical and subtropical regions – by using ecological methods these small farms can increase their yields by 50 to 150 per cent. But the most decisive factor is long-term improvements in production through the sustainable upgrading of soil fertility.

Representatives of the agroindustry sector and of industrial agriculture claim that the ecological agriculture promoted in Biovision’s grassroots projects is an antiquated concept which puts food security in the South at risk. But they ignore three facts about organic farming in Africa: firstly, that it is only just beginning, secondly, that it is not widely promoted, and third-ly, that is clearly superior to traditional practices. For African smallholders, the methods of conventional agriculture – with their need for huge investments in high yielding varieties, fos-sil fuels, artificial fertilisers, pesticides and medicines – are normally financially far out of reach. Ecological farming is a viable alternative for smallholders’ survival: it gives good yields while enabling the natural resources on which their ex-istence depends to keep regenerating themselves by keeping nutrient cycles as closed as possible.

In contrast to an ecological approach, in many places industri-al agriculture leaves behind degraded soils, depleted and pol-luted ground water, over-fertilised and contaminated surface water, a diminishing range of varieties with less robust plants and dramatic species loss. Because this short-sighted business model is destroying its own foundations, the Agriculture at a Crossroad Report series calls for a global change towards an ecological approach to agriculture.

Biovision wants to help shape this epoch-making change. That is why we are involved in both global and national policy dis-cussions, in order to advocate ecological development. Along-side the words, our actions continue to be our strength. The self-help projects in Africa supported by our foundation are a demonstration of what we are talking about. We are very moti-vated by, and grateful for your valuable support to expand our development activities in the future.

With sincere thanks,

dr. Hans Rudolf Herren

World Food Prize laureate and President of Biovision

Andreas Schriber

In their search for a memorable name for the first Kiswahili edition of the Biovision farmer’s newspaper, just before it went to press our project team in Kenya and Tanzania agreed unanimously on “Mkulima Mbunifu”. The newspaper has been appearing every two months since July 2011 in a print run ini-tially limited to 8,000 (> page 15). Loosely translated, the name of what is so far the only magazine in Tanzania’s na-tional language offering practical advice to small-scale farm-ing families means “The smart and innovative farmer” and that is exactly what it is about. East Africa is not the only place where most smallholding families are left to take care of themselves without outside help. They put their trust in their experience and live in the hope that the rains will not fail, and that they can sell their surplus produce at the market for a fair price. In the world as a whole, millions of these small farms produce the lion share of all food. For Biovision this impres-sive achievement is grounds enough to invest in training farmers and increasing their practical knowledge, so as to put them in a position where they can improve the productivity of their fields on their own.

Boosting rural areasThe development projects supported by Biovision in Africa are thus mainly directed at the needs of the rural population. By working with our partner organisations to promote rural areas, our foundation makes an important contribution to reducing poverty. The aim is to produce sufficient food in a healthy en-vironment and thus make it possible for people to improve their lives. Where this is successful, the problematic rural exo-dus to the cities usually decreases. In Uganda, Biovision is supporting a project aimed first and foremost at the needs of women smallholders (> page 11). The

focus on women and their training in development pro-grammes is an issue to which our foundation will continue to pay a lot of attention. According to estimates by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly two thirds of agri-cultural production in Africa is in the hands of women.

Popular information platformThe extent of the impact that practical information can have on farmers’ ordinary lives can be seen from the experience of the Infonet-Biovision information platform. The practical elec-tronic advice is contained in more than 6,000 pages, and ev-ery year reaches half a million visitors from more than 40 Af-rican countries and all over the world. The portal, which is specifically aimed at East Africa, includes, amongst other things, instructions on ecological ways to control nearly 700 plant diseases and pests, and other information on the preven-tion of illnesses in humans and animals. Because of the great demand, Biovision’s comprehensive programme for communi-cating with farmers is being constantly expanded. The inter-net, mobile phones and computers are becoming more and more important in Africa too, and collaboration with existing advisory services means that the new information is guaran-teed a good reception.

Campaigning for a change of courseIn order to ensure that successful grass-roots projects like the combination of sustainable cattle raising and organic agricul-ture in Assosa in Ethiopia (> page 9) become yet more firmly entrenched on the ground, our foundation is working specifi-cally on consciousness-raising among local decision makers and state institutions. Such approaches need to be emulated and to be more widely incorporated into the training of far-mers and into national agricultural planning. With the same idea in mind, Biovision as a co-initiator of an international alliance continues to campaign for a worldwide change of direction in agriculture. We are doing this because we aim to promote food security for the growing world popula-

Activity report

Reaching the goal together through strong partnerships

4 | MANAGeMeNT RePoRT

Co-Founder and CEO Biovision Foundation

| 5

tion as a global demand at the highest level. Together with the Millennium Institute in Washington and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), in 2011 Biovision launched the Changing Course in Global Agriculture (CCGA) programme. At the UN Earth Summit on sustainable develop-ment to be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, agriculture based on ecological principles and practised by smallholders will be spotlighted – and later implemented as part of national coun-try programmes in Africa and elsewhere. In the year covered by this report we were also extensively involved in the prevention of dangerous tropical diseases. The encouraging results of the scientifically grounded pilot proj-ects on the prevention of malaria were an important contribu-tion to the founding of PAMCA. The aim of this pan-African association is to disseminate environmentally sound methods of mosquito control (> page 30).

Information and awareness raisingTo get information across to the right people and to raise awareness in Africa, Switzerland and at the global level, Biovi-sion uses a variety of channels. Professional media work means that the concerns of our foundation were topics in 192 media reports in 2011. Reports in prominent newspapers with an international reputation are all the more gratifying since greater awareness of ecological development helps to advance Biovision’s goals.

The extension of information outreach to social networks and direct contacts shows that the issues we care about increas-ingly matter to young people. We have been able to make new contacts via the website, various internet campaigns and our Facebook pages. More than 1500 people follow our activities on Twitter and Facebook, and the website recorded a visitor increase of 40 per cent in the space of a year. Biovision sees this broad media work as a contribution to shaping opinions and as an essential part of the newly formulated 2015 Strategy to Promote Ecological Thinking and Acting (www.biovision.ch > Who we are > Our topics > Download Strategy).

Further expansion of project work2011 was once again an encouraging and successful year for us. The solidarity of our wide range of sponsors made it possi-ble to continue the expansion of our project work in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. Together with local project partners on the ground, Biovision can now do more for the pro-ductivity of smallholder agriculture and for the preservation of natural resources than ever before. The 32 projects we support received more than CHF 3.5 million, which again means an in-crease in contributions to our projects in comparison with the year before. The continuous growth of Biovision confirms to us that our step-by-step strategy with strong partnerships and our transparent communication is paying off.

“It takes many hands to get the ball rolling.” CEO Andreas Schriber visiting a project in Western Kenya, where Biovision is helping to disseminate the Push-Pull method.

The fertile lowlands of Tolay in Ethiopia were plagued by tsetse flies and malarial mosquitoes until 2008.

Working with local people, the project partners Biovision and icipe have managed to greatly reduce the incidence of the disease-carrying insects.

Nejash Oli Habib

Workenesh Dugasa

>>>BV HH-03

2007

The Tolay region is located in the fertile lowlands of southwest Ethiopia. Despite the apparently ideal conditions for agricul-ture, until only a few years ago small farmers were often un-able to produce enough food to feed their families; more re-cently, the food supply has improved noticeably.This change is directly connected to successes in the fight against the tsetse fly and the anopheles mosquito. Since it has become possible to hold these disease-transmitting insects in check using environmentally friendly methods, cases of the diseases they transmit – sleeping sickness and the tropical fe-ver malaria – have become much less prevalent. Deaths from malaria have fallen by more than 60 per cent in the Tolay re-gion since the project began in 2008. Because the people – and also their animals – are now healthier, they can cultivate their fields, bring in the harvest on time and therefore also produce more food.To ensure that there is no let up in the efforts and the voluntary work to control the malaria-carrying mosquitoes, it is impor-tant to continue to invest in building sustainable structures for the local population. Biovision supports its partner organisa-

tion icipe in working with the affected village communities to create new ways to generate income. The aim is that the means used to control the mosquito larvae in future will utilize con-trol agents made on the spot from different plant extracts. To this end, once they have followed a short training course, thousands of families are being given seedlings of such plants as neem trees, mugwort, lemon grass and pigeon peas. They can grow these in their own gardens, propagate them and then sell the plant products in the villages where they live. In addi-tion, 150 specially trained experts learn how to produce effec-tive insecticides from the seeds, fruits, leaves and roots in-volved. As the research carried out by icipe shows, not only mosquito larvae but also a range of plant pests can be con-trolled with such bio-pesticides. So in the future the expanded project will increasingly include the sustainable use of the en-vironment and the improvement of plant health.

Successful malaria control in Tolay using environmentally friendly methods

Investing sustainably in health

HUMAN HeALTH | 7

“First we didn’t have any knowledge about the disease of malaria. Then the scouts came and told us about it. Now we use bednets and all family members sleep under a bednet, so we don’t get malaria anymore.”

“As a mosquito scout I teach the people in the commu-nity how they can protect their families from the disease. every Friday we conduct awareness activities about malaria. we go from house to house to inform people or talk at group meetings. The topics are mosquito habitat management where we indicate how habitats can be eradicated and how to use bednets.”

Mosquito scout and malaria club leader in Tolay, Ethiopia

Farmer and mother in Tolay, Ethiopia

Stop Malaria – Tolay

Beneficiaries: The 12,000 people living in the project area enjoy improved health thanks to the reduction in cases of malaria.

Development Goal: A sustainable improvement in the health of the population of Tolay through environmen-tally friendly malaria control.

Results: Incidence of malaria reduced by 90%, thanks to the successful continuation of environmentally-friendly malaria control (drying, draining or biological treatment of standing water, correct use of bednets, wide dissemination of information about prevention).Training of 12 mosquito scouts, 12 health specialists and 340 villagers in environmentally friendly malaria control. Annual malaria day to raise awareness among more than 2000 people.

Implementing Partner Organisation: icipe Ethiopia – African Insect Science for Food and Health

Project number:Project start:

Successful tsetse fly control with environmentally friendly traps: attracted by the smell of cattle urine and by the blue dye, the insects land on the black surface and follow the white light into the cone. This leads them into a plastic bottle, from which they cannot escape.

Dawa Ahmed

Ayoub Alsherif

BV AH-04 2009

>>>

In the regional state of Benishangul-Gumuz in western Ethio-pia thousands of environmental and war refugees are making their living from small-scale farming. Because many of these people were formerly nomadic pastoralists, they are usually inadequately prepared for the challenges of a sedentary life in their new home.Their life in the lowlands is made all the more difficult by the widespread presence of tsetse flies, which, through their bites, transmit nagana – a deadly sleeping sickness – to cattle. So the first projects designed to overcome the widespread pov-erty and malnutrition in the rural areas around the regional capital Assosa began by addressing the health of farm animals. The first success, achieved in cooperation with the village communities, was in decimating the tsetse flies locally through biological methods – in particular with colour and odour traps that were regularly inspected. The partner organisation supported by Biovision, Bioeconomy Africa (BEA), has now taken this approach further. Its model biofarm promotes the concept of holistic agriculture in the re-gion, which means taking the most sustainable approach pos-sible in utilizing the natural resources. For example, they regu-larly make use of nutrients from plant residues and animal

manure. At the biofarm in Assosa – a hands-on teaching and training centre – the model farmers learn how they can suc-cessfully combine animal husbandry and crop cultivation on their farms, without overburdening the natural resources. One goal is to improve food security by ensuring that the income of farming families is based on several alternative activities. In addition, the people are given support to help them use the tsetse fly traps in the most effective way. Particularly critical areas in the lowlands near water with a high concentration of insects are jointly identified and regularly monitored.After training, the students pass on what they have learned to the surrounding families through their own model farms, and thus the information is widely disseminated. Now BEA and other training centres, in close cooperation with the local peo-ple, are trying improve acceptance of the combined approach to biological agriculture and environmentally friendly tsetse fly control, and to disseminate it to neighbouring regions.

Animal husbandry and biological agriculture in balance

Model biofarm helps against tsetse flies

ANIMAL HeALTH | 9

Small-scale farmer and tsetse-scout in Assosa, Ethiopia

“I used to have some oxen, but I sold them because I was scared of the disease Trypanosomiasis. I used to plough the field all by myself, but now I am too tired to do it and I have to employ workers, but then I also have to pay their wages.”

“I am responsible for maintaining two tsetse-fly traps. To solve the problem of sleeping sickness, we have to take responsibility ourselves.”

Mother and farmer in Assosa, Ethiopia

Project number:Project start:

Benificiaries: Approximately 7600 small farmers, as well as agricultural advisory teams, benefit from the training and are given support in improving their system of cultivation and in tackling the tsetse fly problem jointly at the village level.

Development Goal: To boost poverty reduction and sustainable agricultural development in Ethiopia by means of effective environmentally friendly measures.

Results: Together with the local people, 203 new tsetse traps have been installed and “hotspots” identified, for the most effective possible control of tsetse flies. An additional 1450 farmers have been trained by the model farmers in tsetse fly control and organic farming methods. Partnerships have been built up and strengthened with organisations and communi-ties in the region sharing similar aims in order to ensure the long-term dissemination of information.

Implementing Partner Organisation:BioEconomy Africa (BEA), Ethiopia

Tsetse control Assosa

Despite performing heavy physical labour in agriculture, women in the Kayunga district of Uganda often live on the brink of poverty. The Biovision-supported project informs them not only about organic farming methods, but also about their rights.

Anet Namukasa

Josephine Neumbe

BV PH-06 12/2010

>>>

In the rural Kayunga district of Uganda many farming families have abandoned their fields because of poor harvests. Today they gain some of their income from the sale of firewood and charcoal gathered from the surrounding forests.Because of their concern over the increasing strain on their environment, the loss of soil fertility and the poisoning of their farm animals by agrochemicals, women farmers turned to the local women’s self-help organisation Rural Women Develop-ment Association (RWDA). Its members campaign without pay and with enormous commitment for the rights of women and girls. In attempting to improve their often difficult circum-stances, they use agricultural advice as a door-opener.Despite that the burden of work in the fields falls almost exclu-sively on the shoulders of women farmers, traditionally they have no right to a voice in discussions on matters concerning social or economic affairs. Given this situation, the RWDA, a partner organisation sup-ported by Biovision, tries to strengthen the self-confidence and the position of the women through facilitating additional sources of income. For example, in training courses and advice sessions on environmentally sound and socially equitable ag-

riculture about 600 farmers, both men and women, are being taught how to regenerate depleted soils by producing compost and how to protect their crop plants from diseases and pests using biological means, such as extracts obtained from the neem tree. There is also keen interest in how to produce bio-gas for cooking, since the shortage of firewood is a constant problem, and women have to devote more and more of their time to energy procurement.By not using artificial fertilisers and chemical pesticides the households save money. In addition, better harvests ensure greater food security. By selling surplus products the women farmers even earn extra income, which enables them to pay school fees thereby giving their children an education. The Biovision-supported project thus contributes to poverty re-duction and to improved lives for the rural population.

Promoting environmentally sound and socially equitable agriculture in Uganda

Women’s solidarity in practise on the land

PLANT HeALTH | 11

Widow and mother of 4 children in Kayunga, Uganda

“we learned that the soil has life and we see that there are some things that have been destroying our soils such as chemicals and fertilisers. we have come to realize that soil erosion is taking all our nutrients and is destroying our soils. we have learned that organic farming is the type of farming where you use natural methods such as manure.“

“we have to train women their rights because they work so much, they do so much for their families and yet they are treated very badly and even beaten up by their husbands. But teaching women’s rights is difficult, we have to be very wise about it because if a husband learns about it he will not allow his wife to attend training anymore.”

RWDA project coordinator in Kayunga, Uganda

Beneficiaries: At least 600 small-scale farmers and their families have benefited from training in ecological methods of agriculture.

Development Goal: Poverty reduction and improved conditions for the rural population of Kayunga district in Uganda through training and courses in ecological methods of agriculture such as compost and the use of organic pesticides.

Results: At least 600 farmers have been given practical training in the use of organic farming methods, backed up by the establishment of local facilities that provide information and the chance to exchange experiences. The method of organic agriculture was enthusiastically received by the farmers; higher yields were evident in their gardens and the health of their animals improved. Savings realized by not buying fertilisers and chemical pesticides led to the establishment of savings groups that make investments in items such as seeds.

Implementing Partner Organisation: Rural Women Development Association (RWDA) Uganda

Women for organic agriculture

Project start:Project number:

On the basis of their inspection of insect larvae in water samples, the specially trained members of KEEP, a local group for the protection of the environment and nature in the Kenyan uplands of the Kakamega rainforest, can determine the water quality.

Linet Kitambe

Dr. Mary Gikungu

>>>BV EH-08

2011

Using the simplest tools, such as a tea strainer and baking tray, people in the Kenyan highlands of the Kakamega rain forest have recently begun monitoring the quality of their local wa-ter. Insects with different requirements living in the water serve them as natural indicators. For example, where there are larvae of caddis flies and mayflies, the water is usually very clean. But water beetles, on the other hand, indicate that the water is probably nutrient-rich and polluted.The fieldwork experience of the international insect research in-stitute icipe has shown that diligent laypersons are able to learn fairly quickly to distinguish between selected groups of insects and to reach conclusions about the quality of the water in a par-ticular location on the basis of which insects they find there. This knowledge helps village communities to better protect their drinking water, by keeping possible impurities and microbes – for example from animal droppings – away from water sources. Biovision supports the appropriate training of approximately 100 members of the local environment and nature protection group, who pass on their practical knowledge to schoolchil-dren from the region. One goal is to boost the understanding of nature among the rural population, to strengthen their envi-ronmental awareness and to raise their awareness of the need to take a sustainable approach to the natural resources on

which their well-being depends. The particular aim is also to gather measurable data that can give insight into the extent of the impact which income promotion linked to environmental protection can have on biodiversity. Intact forests not only en-sure clean drinking water, but also perform other vitally im-portant ecosystem services, from which humans derive direct benefit. For example, some 250 species of honey bees and wild bees live in the Kakamega forest, and pollinate the food plants in the surrounding fields as well. But their numbers are endangered by a range of factors, including pressure on the forests, soil erosion and agrochemicals. So as part of the proj-ect financed by Biovision various bee species are investigated as important indicators of habitat quality and the biodiversity which depends directly on it.

Monitoring environmental health in Kenya

Active responsibility for the local environment

eNVIRoNMeNTAL HeALTH | 13

Field assistant in Kakamega, Kenya

Centre for Bee Biology and Pollination Ecology, National Museums of Kenya

”Specific insects can be good indicators of environ-ment quality particularly clean water and pollination services. Thanks to the project for enabling us to train the local communities to recognize their impor-tance and actively getting involved in monitoring these ecosystem services.”

“Together with experts from icipe I learned how to identify insects to figure out the water quality. For example, small red worms indicate that the water is not good for drinking.”

Project number:Project start:

Beneficiaries: 100 people and members of the youth group for environmental protection (KEEP), of the Muliru Farmer Group and the Forestry Department are being trained. For their part the KEEP members are raising awareness among some 10,000 schoolchildren in the region of the need for environmental and nature protection.

Development Goal: To develop a monitoring system to measure the quality of the environment. People are taught about the vitally important services performed by ecosystems like forests, making them more aware of the need to protect the environment.

Results: 12 master trainers as well as the Kakamega foresters are passing on their knowledge about insects as indicators. Data collection on the variety of honey bees and wild bees in several locations. Establishment of a long-term, locally managed monitoring system to check the quality of the environment.

Implementing Partner Organisation: icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health in conjunction with the National Museums of Kenya.

Ecosystem Monitoring Kakamega

“Mkulima Mbunifu”, the first farmers’ magazine in the national language, Kiswahili, attracts huge interest among smallholders in Tanzania.

Ayubu Nnko

Isdory Shirima

>>>BV IS-02.D

2011

Since 2005 the “The Organic Farmer” (TOF) magazine launched by Biovision in Kenya has been giving smallholders practical tips to enable them to increase production of plant and animal-based foodstuffs using environmentally-friendly methods and without expensive additives. Over this period the TOF editorial team in Nairobi has produced nearly 700 pages of specific guidance on and clear illustrations of sustainable yield techniques from ecological agriculture. In future farming families in Kenya’s southern neighbour, Tanzania, will also be able to benefit from this huge source of know-how.Because most people here do not speak English, but only the national language Kiswahili, they could not read of TOF. With the new farmers’ magazine “Mkulima Mbunifu” – loosely trans-lated meaning “Clever Farmer” – families with no knowledge of foreign languages can now obtain information and guidance on methods of sustainable agriculture adapted to local conditions. Among the main beneficiaries are women smallholders, who often have had little education.The reports and articles relevant to their everyday experience are written by a local editorial team, which also adapts arti-cles from Kenya to suit conditions in Tanzania. The first issues dealt with popular topics such as methods to control diseases

of chickens, beekeeping, intercropping of cabbage and onions, ways to improve soil fertility, the correct way to produce com-post and liquid fertiliser and the prevention of plant diseases in fruit trees.Suggestions for such topics often come from those directly af-fected, who send their questions to the editors in letters and text messages. The magazine, which currently has a print run of 8,000, already reaches up to 80,000 readers via the agri-cultural organisations, training centres and schools, which distribute “Mkulima Mbunifu”. It is eagerly read not only in Tanzania, but also in Rwanda and Burundi as well as in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Launch of the Farmers’ magazine “Mkulima Mbunifu” in Tanzania

Good news for farming families in Kiswahili

INFoRMATIoN dISSeMINATIoN | 15

Editor of “Mkulima Mbunifu” in Arusha, Tanzania

Regional Commissioner in Arusha, Tanzania

“with the shortage of agriculture extension officers in the country, the magazine has come at the right time and it will act as a major tool to inform and educate farmers.”

“I am thrilled that ‘Mkulima Mbunifu’ magazine has become such a sought-after source of information by farmers. Though the magazine is new, we have had good feedback from farmers who receive our magazine. The most liked topics have been chicken, pigs and bee keeping.”

Farmers’ magazine “Mkulima Mbunifu”

Beneficiaries: With a print run of 8,000, the Biovision bimonthly farmers’ publication in Kiswahili reaches about 80,000 readers.

Development goal: The sustainable improvement of food security and livelihood of small-scale farmers in East Africa. The communication of hands-on knowledge about ecological agricultural methods, disease prevention, environmental protection and income generation.

Results: Given the great demand, the print run of thisavidly read magazine was increased by 60 per centafter six months. As the strong positive responseshows, the magazine is well received, tackles theimportant issues and strengthens the self-esteem ofsmall-scale farmers. Women in particular, whooften have very little knowledge of foreign languages,are eager to have access to information in theirmother tongue, Kiswahili.

Partner organisations: Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Program (FINTRAC/TAPP), DEZA – Swiss Cooperation Office Tanzania.

Project number:Project start:

CLEVER, the sustainable supermarket, has about 100 products to choose from. The receipt is handed out at the till. But it does not show what the item costs, but who pays the true price for it – for example, women producers in developing countries, farm animals or the rain forest.

Livia Haag

Jacqueline Kobel

BV IS-10.A2011

>>>

If you are standing with your shopping basket at the till of theCLEVER sustainable supermarket, you don’t need to get out your purse: instead you will be presented with a receipt. Among other things it will show how much strain your chosenproducts put on the world’s climate; how they affect species diversity; how much they contribute to polluting the air, waterand soil; and their impact on the lives of the people in the countries the items come from.Seventy per cent of the young people who participated in the informative shopping game at the first stop of the touring exhi-bition in the Zurich Zoo said that when they went shopping in future, they would take social and ecological sustainability considerations into account. That means that the Biovision-supported project has achieved one of its main aims: a hands-on way to get younger people in particular to think about such issues as their responsibility towards nature and the environ-ment and also about fair trade.CLEVER makes shoppers aware of the fact that there are goods on the shelves every day from developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Depending on the product that cus-tomers decide to buy, they may put at risk the livelihoods of

the local population in the exporting states and support – usu-ally unknowingly – exploitative labour conditions, or alterna-tively, their purchasing choices can help boost environmen-tally and socially beneficial development. In each case the customer can choose between two and four different articles of food and other products. A person who de-cides on an organic food product rather than the usually cheaper items produced industrially, learns that this choice conserves soils, groundwater and energy resources. This is an effective illustration of the specific added value of sustainably produced goods.After the successful premiere in Zurich the CLEVER supermar-ket will be making stopovers at other well-frequented locations in German-speaking Switzerland in 2012: first in the Arth-Gold-au Animal Park and later in Winterthur and Basel as well.

CLEVER – an exhibition for socially and ecologically aware shopping

The vision of a sustainable supermarket

AdVoCACY | 17

Biologist and co-project leader of the exhibition CLEVER – The sustainable supermarket

CLEVER visitor of Langnau

“Many people would like to behave in an environmen-tally friendly and fair way when they do their shopping. But in view of the vast range of criteria – from the production to the disposal of the products – this is often difficult. our exhibition puts across in a fun way some simple rules for making sustainable shopping decisions. It uses specific everyday examples and treats both social and ecological selection criteria.”

“I found the exhibition great and definitely learned some-thing: to choose genuinely good products and behave sustainably, I must read the small print, look at the labels, and buy far fewer animal products like meat.”

Project number:Project start:

Beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries of the touring exhibition are young people and children, since experience has shown that many school classes and families visit CLEVER. Given the limited capacity of 50 participants a day, over the six summer months the project should help raise the awareness of about 8,000 people.

Development Goal: The aim of CLEVER is to demonstrate the cost to humans and the environment of our consumer behaviour, to increase people’s awareness of their own responsibility in this area, and thus to encourage socially and environmentally more sustainable shopping habits.

Results: From the end of August CLEVER was open for a total of 360 hours in the space of 60 days at its first location at Zurich Zoo. About 3,000 people visited the exhibition, and 900 of them ordered the newsletter. A large number of media reported on the exhibition. Initial experiences indicate that people appreciated above all the competent and extensive back-up provided by the staff.

Partner Organisations: Verein Natur liegt nahe, Zurich; Büro für Naturschutz, Zurich

“CLEVER” – The Sustainable Supermarket

Where the forest dies, poverty spreads. Even fertile regions like central Kenya are being increasingly affected. Forest loss and climate change is making rainfall less and less predictable.

Infectious diseases, epidemics amongst farm animals, crop pests and the over-exploitation of natural resources cripple development in Africa. Biovision tackles these problems using sustainable methods and works closely with local partners and the people of the area.

Biovision has been improving the conditions of the local people of East Africa with its grass-roots projects since 1998. The Swiss foundation pursues a holistic approach to tackle the problems of poverty at the root. Following the credo of its founder and president, Hans Rudolf Herren, who himself spent decades working on insect research in Africa, Biovision works with nature, not against it. Most people in Africa are small-scale farmers whose livelihoods depend directly on the quality of their natural environment. That is why intact ecosystems, fertile soils, good harvests and healthy livestock are the foundation on which their wellbeing depends. The sustainable methods of ag-riculture promoted by Biovision foster environmentally fair and socially compatible development, in that they offer many rural people the ability to feed themselves and earn an income, and empower them to keep their natural resources healthy.

The health of the ecosystem as the foundation For Biovision the health of human beings, farm animals, crops and ecosystems therefore lies at the heart of development work. Working in close cooperation with local partner organisations, the foundation passes on the necessary knowledge and practi-cal skills to rural populations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The aim of these training projects is to strengthen small-scale farmers. The knowledge they acquire should enable them to use the in-house and local resources with optimal effi-ciency, and to make better use of the natural self-regulation of soils, plants and animals.

Sustainable approaches adapted to local conditionsThe malaria projects implemented in Kenya and Ethiopia, for example, show local people how they can protect themselves effectively from the feared tropical fever by using simple meth-ods that avoid the use of toxic chemicals. Plant diseases and crop pests, which reduce the maize yield, can be successfully held in check by scientifically tested methods of sustainable agriculture. Tsetse flies, which transmit sleeping sickness to cattle, can also be controlled in an environmentally friendly way. If livestock remain able to work, they provide farming families with important support in cultivating their fields and thus ensuring a sufficient food supply.

Empowerment and respectBiovision’s initiatives give hundreds of thousands of small-scale farmers in East Africa the opportunity to improve their lives through application of ecological methods, and at the same time to preserve their environment. Core principles of the initiatives are always that those directly affected should participate and voice their opinions, that gender equality be respected and that income generation be promoted.

Information is a key to poverty reductionFor rural populations in Africa the dissemination of knowledge and access to information are often decisive factors in over-coming their poverty. That is why Biovision combines the var-ied activities in its grass-roots projects with extensive infor-mation dissemination, and also lobbies international bodies on behalf of development. This commitment arises from the conviction that in the long term, further development in the project areas can only be successful if any progress made is not immediately undermined by unfavourable external condi-tions. For this reason, Biovision also has advocacy projects in the North to campaign for ecological development in solidarity with the people of the South.

Biovision

Ecological development secures a future for all

BIoVISIoN PoRTRAIT | 19

20 | oPeRATIoNAL CoSTS IN CHF

INCOME  Donations  Project related donations  Membership dues  Bequests  Other income Total IncomeDifference from previous year EXPENSES Project Expenses  Information Dissemination / Advocacy  Human Health  Animal Health  Plant Health  Environmental Health  Additional project expenses Total Project Expenses Difference from previous year Fundraising and Communication General Administration  Personnel  Other administrative expenses Total General Administration

Total Expenses OPERATING RESULTBefore financial income, extraordinary items, exchange differences, funds and capital adjustments  Financial income  Exchange differences  Withdrawal from funds  Allocation to funds Total Changes OPERATING RESULTAfter financial income, extraordinary items, exchange differences, funds and capital adjustments

20102 263 6192 146 110

562 73900

4 972 4683%

-2 062 877

-441 876-107 424-293 833-274 017-47 443

-3 227 470 3%

-422 693

-97 518

-230 734-328 252

-3 978 415

994 053

4 538-46 312

1 745 307-2 146 110-442 577

551 476

20112 141 9371 767 293

623 15313 00016 547

4 561 930-8%

-2 466 363-389 615-108 703-293 136

-288 008-16 680

-3 562 50510%

-570 758

-216 917-340 929-557 846

-4 691 109

-129 179

2 355-33 467

1 728 114-1 767 293

-70 291

-199 470

9%

12%

79%

14%

25%

11%

50%

| 21

Income: After several years of strong income growth, current receipts declined slightly in 2011. The main reason for this was that the donations earmarked for specific purposes depend heavily on individual major sponsors, making a certain amount of fluctuation inevitable. But Biovision managed to absorb a decrease here thanks to its adequate reserves and the fact that it has a diversified fundraising base. For its “Changing Course in Agricul-ture” project it has been able to enlist the SDC as an institutional partner for the next several years.

Project expenditure: The considerable fluctuations in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Swiss franc again made budgeting difficult in 2011. Although Biovision implemented more projects and budgeted for higher expenditure, project costs in Africa did not increase considerably because of the appreciation of the franc. In addition, the fact that expenditure on certain projects is not posted in the annual accounts until the following year skews the ratio of project costs to total costs. Therefore the total project expenditure did only increase by 10%.

Fundraising expenditure: Public sector funding accounts for 21%, 79 per cent are generated through informati-on and communication campaigns and other fundraising activities. In order to have sufficient income to ensure that project expenditure can continue to grow in the future too, Biovision also increased its investment in fundraising and communication.

General administration: The general administration department ensures that Biovision functions professionally. The continuing growth of the organisation meant that this department too had to be expanded in order to ensu-re that appropriate structures are in place to enable it to work effectively in all areas in the future.

Result: The prudent accumulation of undesignated reserves in previous years meant that it was possible to completely offset the operating loss with the capital surplus that had been built up. Our broad donor base and the long-term partnerships we have established create a solid foundation for the coming years.

APPLICATION OF FUNDS 2007–2011 (IN CHF) Projects Fundraising and Communication General Administration

SOURCE OF FUNDS 2007–2011 (IN CHF) Individual Donors Membership Dues Foundations and Companies Government Agencies

FIVE-yEAR AVERAGE OF APPLICATION AND SOURCE OF FUNDS

Pascal Schällibaum

22 | FINANCIAL STATeMeNT IN CHF

ASSETS Current Assets  Liquid assets  Securities (Raiffeisen Futura – Swiss Franc Bond)  Accounts receivable of goods and services  Project accounts with partner organisations  Project account with Biovision Africa Trust  Stock  Accounts paid in advance  Outstanding donations Total Current Assets Noncurrent Assets  Facilities  Investment Biovision Africa Trust Total Noncurrent Assets

Total Assets LIABILITIES Current Liabilities  Debts from goods and services  Project accounts with partner organisations  Accounts received in advance Total Current Liabilities

Earmarked Funds  Information Dissemination / Advocacy  Human Health  Animal Health  Plant Health  Environmental Health Total Earmarked Funds Organisation Capital  Foundation capital  Accrued earmarked capital  Accrued free capital Total Organisation Capital

Total Liabilities

2010

3 263 825296 940

27 45200

27 4976 093

261 5873 883 394

5 8531 417

7 270

3 890 664

96 218104 564

77 802278 584

223 736341 48779 85066 39144 772

756 236

50 000920 000

1 885 8442 855 844

3 890 664

2011

2 938 420302 876

42 764249 621

33 82868 83683 60550 000

3 769 950

16 4041 417

17 821

3 787 771

237 8936 101

91 988335 982

481 230125 78537 07071 527

79 803795 415

50 000920 000

1 686 3742 656 374

3 787 771

Head of Finance and Administration

“Biovision again grew in 2011. Thanks to reserves from previous years and a favourable exchange rate, it was possible to increase both the number of projects and project expenditure by 10 per cent over 2010.”

PRojeCT exPeNSeS IN CHF | 23

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION / ADVOCACy BV IS-01 Infopool BV IS-02 TOF Farmer Magazine BV IS-02.A TOF Radio BV IS-02.B iTOF Farmer Information Centres BV IS-02.D Farmer Magazine “Mkulima Mbunifu” BV IS-03/04 Infonet-Biovision BV IS-05 Stop DDT BV IS-07 Bustani ya Tushikamane – Garden of Solidarity BV IS-08 Farmer Communication Programme BV IS-09 Biofarm Newsletter BV IS-10 Changing Course in Agriculture BV IS-10.A Clever – The Sustainable Supermarket BV IS-11 Sensitisation for Biodiversity via Social Media BV TS-01 Farmers Academy Ethiopia BV TS-02 International Training Course in Organic Agriculture, Uganda Total Information Dissemination / Advocacy HUMAN HEALTH BV HH-01 Stop Malaria – Nyabondo BV HH-02 Stop Malaria – Malindi BV HH-03 Stop Malaria – Tolay BV HH-04 IVM Malaria Model for T21 BV HH-05 Stop Malaria – Outreach ProgrammeTotal Human Health ANIMAL HEALTH BV AH-04 Tsetse Control Assosa BV AH-05 Camel Programme for Climate AdaptationTotal Animal Health PLANT HEALTH BV PH-01 PushPull, Lake Victoria BV PH-03 Long-Term System Comparison BV PH-04 Sebeta Biofarm BV PH-05 PushPull, Central Kenya BV PH-06 Women for Organic Agriculture BV PH-07 Fruit Fly ControlTotal Plant Health ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BV EH-02 Cabesi BV EH-03/05 Income Generation through Medicinal Plants BV EH-07 Sustainable Honey Production, Tolay BV EH-08 Ecosystem Monitoring Kakamega BV EH-09 Community Mapping in TharakaTotal Environmental Health

Biovision has invested in six priority programmes: Information Dissemination, Human, Animal, Plant and Environmental Health and Advocacy. Expenditure on projects in each area is reported separately below.

The complete, audited financial report is available from our Head Office upon request (in German only) and can also be downloaded on www.biovision.ch.

2010897 431 185 219

79 16742 448

0419 604146 522

19 71772 1213 273

90 9500

88 2249 1429 059

2 062 877

79 961161 87193 42171 82834 795

441 876

72 36735 057

107 424

132 86166 32849 57945 065

00

293 833

180 14393 874

000

274 017

2011998 746162 82654 90833 641

8 135335 385204 378

20 821193 553

4 116311 94599 178

030 857

7 874

2 466 363

69 869128 025

98 77750 87642 068

389 615

50 30358 400

108 703

106 83167 20827 17257 2946 093

28 538293 136

132 31773 80341 86033 846

6 182288 008

Biovision – Foundation for ecological development is a non-profit, non-denominational and politically independent Swiss foundation based in Zurich. It supports projects in selected developing regions in Africa, and in Switzerland. Its goal is the long-term alleviation of hunger and poverty. Biovision pro-motes the socially responsible and sustainable use of resourc-es, as well as the conservation of plant and animal diversity. The foundation provides support for self-help and promotes ecological thinking and action.Biovision is subject to Federal control and is recorded in the Commercial Registry. Biovision is ZEWO certified. Biovision has obtained a legal opinion that it is equivalent to a Section 501(c)(3) public charity in the US. The Bye-Laws can be found on the website www.biovision.ch or can be procured from the Head Office.

Foundation BoardBiovision’s highest authority is the Foundation Board. This has a minimum of five and a maximum of seven members, who provide their services on an honorary basis. As the founder, Hans Rudolf Herren has a place on the Foundation Board for life. All other members are elected for a three-year term of of-fice, after which they may be re-elected.The Foundation Board bears overall responsibility for Biovi-sion’s operations. It is responsible for the strategic direction as well as for the selection of the management body and supervi-sion of the Head Office. The Foundation Board approves the an-nual financial statement, the annual planning and the annual budget, and also decides on applications for projects and fund-ing. In the reporting year its members were: Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren, Dr. Barbara Frei Haller, Paula Daeppen-Dion, Mathis Zimmermann and Dr. Ruedi Baumgartner.

AuditorsARGO Consilium AG of Zurich is responsible for the yearly audit.

Business and divisional managementOperations management of the Biovision Foundation is the re-sponsibility of CEO Andreas Schriber. Heads of division in the year 2011 are: Verena Albertin – Programme Coordination for Development Projects; Peter Lüthi – Communication and Cam-paigns; Pascal Schällibaum – Finance and Administration; Reto Urech – Marketing and Fundraising. Operations manage-ment of the affiliate organisation in Kenya, “Biovision Africa Trust”, is the responsibility of Dr. David Amudavi. He reports directly to the CEO of Biovision, who also is the Chair of Trust-ees for the Africa Trust.

StaffBiovision employs 18 people in Switzerland, most of whom work on a part-time basis. The professional team of qualified internal and external collaborators ensures a high level of ded-ication and extensive expertise in all areas. Biovision is a certi-fied establishment for Swiss civilian service. In the 2011 busi-ness year 7 people worked in the Head Office in lieu of military service for a total of 622 days. As a contribution to training in development work, the foundation also regularly provides in-tern positions to enable future professionals to gain their first work experience in the areas of project work, communication, ecology and advocacy. In 2011 Biovision hosted two trainees.

Objectives of the Foundation Organisation

24 | eFFICIeNCY RePoRT

Dr. Barbara Frei HallerPharmacist and Ethnobotanist, Member of the Board

Paula Däppen-DionMember of the Board

Dr. Ruedi BaumgartnerProf. em. NADEL ETH Zurich,Member of the Board

Mathis ZimmermannAttorney, Founding member, Member of the Board

Dr. Hans Rudolf HerrenFounding member,President of the Foundation

Voluntary WorkThe five members of the Board offer their services on a pro bono basis and in the reporting year contributed more than 650 hours without remuneration or compensation. Their work with other committees and representing the foundation at internal and external events was also carried out on a pro bono basis.Despite limited financial and personnel resources, Biovision provides a comprehensive programme at home and abroad. This is only possible thanks to the exceptional commitment of many volunteers at all levels. A total of about 850 hours were worked without payment for Biovision in the reporting year.

Lean organisational structureBiovision attaches great importance to the efficient use of its resources, and can count on much goodwill and support from business partners, organisations pursuing similar goals and private individuals. Decisions can be taken promptly by proj-ect leaders on site and long-term, well-established project partners, making a lean administration in the Head Office possible.Project management is carried out mainly by the project leaders on site. Responsibility for implementing the activi-ties that have received financing lies with the local experts and beneficiaries in the project areas. Local participation of-ten includes training, one aim of which is to ensure that the results of the project are firmly incorporated into long-term local practice.Biovision Foundation fulfils the ZEWO standards for non-profit organisations in Switzerland. In its project management and monitoring, Biovision adheres to internationally accepted standards. Current information on individual projects can be found on pages 6 to 17 and also on our website. Our financial accounting adheres to the GAAP FER 21 principles for Non-profit Organisations (NPO). In its fundraising, Biovision is committed to the ethical guidelines of “Swissfundraising”.

Project management in Africa – programme coordination in SwitzerlandIn 2011 Biovision supported 32 projects at home and abroad. Projects in Africa are drawn up in partnership with local ex-perts. Responsibility for implementation and leadership lies with established partner organisations and their staff.Project leaders remain in close contact with programme coor-dinators in Biovision’s Head Office, which ensures profession-al support and supervision. Coordination of the “Biovision Farmer Communication Programme” for East Africa takes place in Nairobi, where the establishment of a regional affili-ate foundation (Biovision Africa Trust) has made it possible to manage the information projects on site.

Cooperation according to needA prerequisite for development cooperation is partnerships with well-established local organisations and institutions. This is the basis for the efficient planning and execution of projects. They are drawn up locally and submitted, on invitation, to Bio-vision’s Head Office in Zurich. The project committee – made up of one member of the Foundation Board, and representa-tives of programme coordination and Biovision management – examines the proposals and makes a pre-selection on the basis of clearly defined criteria. The Biovision Foundation Board takes the final decision on any applications for support.

Making an impact through partnershipsDevelopment projects with a long-term focus are based on the commitment of local players and are intended eventually to be self-financing. In Africa and Switzerland – and increasingly in other countries too – there are well known and committed in-stitutions which share our vision of a healthy world where people live in solidarity with each other. Our partners can draw on their social networks and their competent and reli-able representatives, and also have access to local people and experience in working with them. In order to ensure that its projects are sustainable, Biovision sets great store by its net-works of reliable long-term partners at home and abroad.

| 25

The Biovision Foundation builds on strong project partnerships with locally based organisations like the Rural Women Development Association in Uganda as well as on the involvement of the people affected.

In Kenya, agricultural advisers Victoria Mutinda and Peter Baumgartner – editor of the farmers’s magazine TOF – tell the farmers in a local women’s group about the basics of ecological agriculture.

Janet Maro

Prof. Christian Borgemeister

PARTNeRSHIPS | 27

Partnerships

Agronomist and Director of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), Morogoro

“organic agriculture provides small-scale farming households with good harvests and sustainable methods for using their natural resources, while allowing them to keep their independence. SAT has the explicit goal to research, diffuse and apply new knowledge in this area. To reach this goal, we can count on our strong partnership with Biovision Foundation.”

Director General of icipe in Nairobi, Kenya

“As a long-term partner, Biovision has made essential contributions to the utilization and dissemination of icipe research on biological pest control, use of beneficial insects like honey bees in Africa and the development of regionally adapted integrated malaria control programs.”

Biovision partnerships for ecological developmentAvallain – Organisation for innovative e-learning and improved access to educationBeA – BioEconomy Africa, EthiopiaCdR/BoKU – Centre for Development Research / University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, ViennaFiBL – Research Institute for Organic Agriculture, Switzerlandicipe – African Insect Science for Food and HealthICe – Institute for Culture and Ecology, KenyaKARI – Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteKeFRI – The Kenya Forestry Research InstituteMI – Millennium Institute, USAPesticide Action NetworkPlantahof – Agricultural Training and Advice Centre, Landquart/GraubündenRural women development Association, UgandaVSF – Vétérinaires sans Frontières Suisse (Vets Without Borders)

Partner organisations listed have agreed a framework contract with Biovision.

Organisations collaborating with Biovision in projects and networks ACT – African Conservation Tillage NetworkAIC – Agriculture Information Centre (part of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kenya)AvalonBiovision Africa TrustBüro für Naturschutz, ZurichCabesi Self-Help GroupCde – Centre for Development and Environment, University of BernCodeSustainableCoop – Coop Sustainability Fundeawag – Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing CountrieseSPA – Environmental Sciences and Policy Assessment Federation of German Scientists (FGS)iCowInfosud – Press agency for international cooperation and development policyKCA – Kenya Camel AssociationKeMRI – Kenya Medical Research InstituteKeNFAP – Kenya National Federation of Agricultural ProducersKIoF – Kenya Institute for Organic FarmingKU – Kenyatta UniversityKwS – Kenya Wildlife ServiceMakerere University, UgandaMedia 21 – Global Journalism Network GenevaMore and Better NetworkNational Museum(s) of KenyaPraxis ethiopia – Interest Group of Interna-tional Researchers for Sustainable Development in EthiopiaPrometra Uganda

PUMMA – Mosquito Control Association Malindi SAT – Sustainable Agriculture TanzaniaSdC – Swiss Agency for Development and CooperationSHL – Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural ScienceSokoine University of Agriculture, TanzaniaSTI – Swiss Tropical InstituteTFCG – Tanzania Forest Conservation GroupThe development Fund, NorwayTSBF – Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility InstituteUNeTMAC – Uganda Network for Toxic Free Malaria ControlVerein Natur liegt nahe, Zurichwo CAT – World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologiesworld Society for the Protection of Animals (wSPA)w-3-w Tanzania – Water for the Third World TanzaniaZurich Zoo

Various relevant local ministries in focus countries

Memberships and alliancesIFoAM – International Federation of Organic Agriculture MovementseCoSoC – UN Economic and Social Council (General Consultative Status)UNdPI AssociateGlobal Alliance for Alternatives to ddTAlliance Against Hunger (Switzerland)Swiss ethiopian Alliance

Face-to-face meetings with the people behind Biovision: with the author Herbert Cerutti on the launch of the biography of Hans R. Herren and with television presenter Monika Schärer and chef Marco Zeller (from Hiltl) at a cooking event focusing on cassava.

Ute Mayer

Peter Fischbacher

THANK YoU | 29

We thank all of our donors for their generous support of our project work in this past year. Your dedication makes Biovision’s work for the sustainable improvement of livelihoods and envi-ronmental protection in East Africa possible. Our thanks also go to the following organisations that have supported our pro-jects with generous contributions:

Public authorities, cantons, cities and municipalitiesBinningen CouncilCity and Canton of GenevaCity of SchaffhausenCity of SolothurnCity of St. GallenCity of WinterthurLiechtenstein

Development ServiceRiehen CouncilSwiss Agency for

Development and Cooperation SDC

FoundationsBarbara Christiane Koch

FoundationCHARISMA Foundation for

Sustainable DevelopmentDorave FoundationDreiklang FoundationEduard Geilinger

FoundationErnst Göhner FoundationFondation AssistenceFons Margarita FoundationGeorg & Emily von Opel

FoundationHippocrate FoundationHurst FoundationJubilaeumsstiftung JutzelerMedicor FoundationMercator Foundation

Switzerland North-South FoundationParrotia FoundationPaul Schiller FoundationPromotor FoundationRosmarie und Armin

Däster-Schild FoundationSalvia FoundationSymphasis FoundationTemperatio FoundationThird Millennium

FoundationVontobel Family

Foundation

BusinessesBinkert Partner AGBCM-Care AGBIONAT GMBHdeepscreen GmbHDer Bioladen,

Zurich-AltstettenDr. Guido Fischer

& Partner GmbHFredy’s AGHiltl KochatelierSchenker-Winkler

Holding AGSchiller AGSK GenossenschaftSotronik GmbHSulzer AGSwisslux AGTerra VerdeTibits AGVELOPLUSVictorinox AG

OthersAmerican Women’s Club

of ZurichCuisine Sans FrontièresEvangelical-reformed

church LucerneGlücksketteReformed Church Bülach Wallisellen SurseeSaus&BrausSwissnex Boston –

Swiss ConsulateThe Usitawi Network

FoundationAfro Pfingsten Festival,

Winterthur

Thank you

CEO, Sotronik GmbH, Winterthur

Programme Coordinator for Africa, Liechtenstein Development Service

“For us development cooperation also means promoting innovation. Agriculture is one of the areas which needs new solutions today, to give more people sufficient food on a sustainable basis in the future. with their holistic and innovative approaches, Biovision’s projects are making an important contribution to this endeavour.”

“In my job I am involved in the development of electronic control systems, preferably in projects where my work can help to preserve natural resources. From time to time I swap my office chair for the driving seat of a lorry to take aid items to eastern europe. I am glad that with Biovision I can take God’s blessings, which I receive in my business, as far as Africa. I am happy to support this valuable service.”

In 2050 the Earth’s populati-on is forecast to reach 9 billi-on – 2 billion more than to-day. A well-received expert symposium organised by Bio-vision at the NATURE Con-gress in Basel in February came to the unanimous con-

clusion that sufficient food can be grown to satisfy the increa-sing world population. As president of the Biovision Foundati-on, Hans Rudolf Herren called for the promotion of sustainable agriculture, which aims not for maximum yields, but for opti-mum ones, and which gets away from the current over-exploi-tation of natural resources.

In April Biovision and its en-vironmentally compatible malaria prevention projects were featured in such lead-ing international newspapers as the New York Times, El Pais, Die Zeit and the NZZ. In the run-up to a UN confe-

rence on the banning of dangerous pesticides, the foundation organised a media trip to Uganda and Kenya. The trip demon-strated to participants how the use of the insecticide DDT to control malaria endangers organic agriculture and the exi-stence of smallholdings, although tried-and-tested environ-mentally friendly alternatives have long been known.

In May Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, delivered a speech to a con-ference in the US capital, Washington D.C. about the future of food production and its impact on natural re-sources. In it he explicitly

praised the aims and recommendations of the World Agricul-tural Report and of Biovision founder Hans Rudolf Herren as responsible co-author of the IAASTD report. The report shows, among other things, that in developing countries smallholder families practising ecological agriculture are among the most productive farms.

Agricultural advisers from the Ethiopian organization BioEconomy Africa and far-mers from model farms visi-ted the Plantahof training centre in Landquart in can-ton Grisons in July. As part of a Biovision exchange project

they learned methods and techniques of ecological mountain agriculture. At the end of the course, they even got the chance to work on a Swiss farm, in order to gain more practical experi-ence of the acquired knowledge.

The Biovision symposium on the subject of ‘Healthy Envi-ronment, Healthy Nature’ at-tracted an audience of about 600 to the Volkshaus in Zu-rich in November. In the pre-sence of Pipaluk de Groot, the Inuit woman featured in

the film, they watched the Swiss preview of the dramatic docu-mentary “Silent Snow”. It shows how the pesticide DDT, which is still used to control malaria in developing countries, is car-ried by wind and ocean currents right up to the Arctic, where it poisons the food resources of the Inuit.

The Pan African Mosquito Control Association PAMCA was founded in December with Biovision support. In-ternational networking and cooperation in the field of environmentally friendly ma-laria prevention is an impor-

tant step towards getting greater political acceptance for the pilot projects promoted by Biovision in Kenya and Ethiopia and extending them further.

More highlights: www.biovision.ch/news

Selected Biovision Highlights 2011

30 | HIGHLIGHTS

This annual report is available in English and German, and can be downloaded, along with further information about Biovision’s projects, at www.biovision.ch.

Biovision is a non-profit organisation that carries the ZEWO seal of approval.

Biovision has obtained a legal opinion that it is equivalent to a Section 501(c)(3) public charity in the US.

In Kenya, Biovision is represented by the Biovision Africa Trust and listed as a non- profit organisation.

Account for donationsFor donors in SwitzerlandPC-Konto 87-193093-4

For donors outside SwitzerlandSWISS POST PostFinanceNordring 83030 Bern / SwitzerlandAccount Number87-193093-4Swiftcode: POFICHBEXXXIBAN CH 69 0900 0000 8719 3093 4

Donations to Biovision are tax-deductable in Switzerland, and maybe in other coun-tries depending on tax laws.

Biovision – Foundation for ecological development is a registered trademark.

Imprint© Biovision Foundation, Zurich

EditingReto Urech

Concept and TextBeat Jordi, Flurina Wartmann, Verena Albertin, Stefanie Keller, Andreas Schriber, Peter Lüthi, Ania Biasio, Reto Urech

Financial ReportPascal Schällibaum

TranslationJulia Slater, Karl Lane

PicturesFlurina Wartmann, Peter Lüthi, Verena Albertin, Andreas Schriber, Fabienne Bühler

Cover pictureIn Central Kenya the organic Push-Pull method promoted by Biovision has improved the availability of basic foodstuffs such as maize and dairy products for the local population.

DesignBinkert Partner, Zurich

PrintZiegler Druck- und Verlags-AG, Winterthur

PaperCyclus Offset, 100 % Recycling

ethiopia

UgandaKenya

Tanzania

Foundation for ecological development Fondation pour un développement écologique Stiftung für ökologische Entwicklung

Schaffhauserstrasse 18, 8006 Zurich/Switzerland, Tel. +41 44 341 97 18, Swiss post account 87-193093-4, www.biovision.ch

you can help people in Africa!For over 10 years Biovision has been promoting the development, dissemination and application of ecologi-cally-sound, environmentally friendly ways in which people in developing regions can use to help themselves. Biovision is a non-profit organisation recognised by ZEWO. Thank you for your donation! Donation account: PC 87-193093-4

“I use my name to campaign for Biovision because I believe in the way they work through projects. People are trained in the field so that they can help themselves: this is the way to build a sustainable future.”

Simone NiggliBiovision Ambassador, Biologist, 17-time Orienteering World Champion, 3-time Swiss Sportswoman of the Year.