Biovision

Initially set up in 1998 as an association by the Swiss entomologist Hans Rudolf Herren, Biovision has its registered office in Zurich and seeks to bring about sustainable improvements in the living conditions of people in Africa and preserve the natural environment as the basis for life. In 2004 and with the same purpose he established the Biovision Foundation, a foundation under Swiss Law and so regulated by the FDHA, the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs.[2]

“The Foundation promotes the preservation of natural resources for present and future generations. It supports projects in Switzerland and developing countries in the Third World that promote the sustainable and socially responsible use of natural resources and at the same time serve to promote and preserve the diversity of flora and fauna and encourage ecological thinking and action.”[3]

As initial funding, Hans Rudolf Herren used the prize money from his 1995 World Food Prize but projects are now funded primarily by membership fees, private and institutional donations and legacies. In 2013, Biovision had access to more than 8 million Swiss Francs.

Biovision promotes ecological thinking and action in both the global North and South. The Foundation is committed to a world with sufficient healthy food for all produced by healthy people in a healthy environment. To that end, it tackles the root causes of poverty and hunger and promotes the development, spread and use of ecological methods that bring about sustainable improvements in living conditions in Africa. Its projects focus mainly on small-scale farmers in Africa. Biovision recognizes that this group is crucial if the continent is to provide people with sufficient healthy food, manage the agricultural landscapes and in general preserve natural resources.[4]

Holistic approach “4xH+I” – 4xH is the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment and "I" is for information

To underpin development that is both ecological and sustainable, Biovision pursues a holistic approach known as “4 H plus I”: 4 H stands for the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment and the “I” stands for the dissemination of information and knowledge. In terms of human and animal health, Biovision places great emphasis on poverty reduction. It uses ecological methods to tackle the root causes of infectious human and animal diseases transmitted by insects. In the areas of plant and environmental health, a further priority is the spread of organic methods rather than methods that use artificial pesticides or fertilizers. In this way it seeks to bring about sustainable improvements in food security and protect eco-systems.[4]

Biovision splits its work into three main priorities: grassroot projects, information projects and advocacy. For its grassroot projects, Biovision works with local partners to develop and implement scientifically sound approaches to the sustainable use of natural resources. Projects are designed not only to improve the living conditions of those directly involved but also to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. The knowledge gained from these projects is then fed into an information programme. In this way, the practical knowledge gained from such successful approaches is made available to a wider section of the population. In turn, the experiences gained from the grassroot and information projects feed into its advocacy work, so providing Biovision with convincing arguments that allow it to influence international policy. In this element of its work, Biovision is guided in essence by the recommendations of IAASTD, the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development - also known as the World Agriculture Report.[4]

Kenya is a focus country for Biovision. Since 1998 Biovision has been supporting various projects there, which implement ecological health promotion and agricultural methods. The research institute icipe, headed for over 10 years by Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren, also has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. icipe is active in over 30 African countries and is the main partner organisation of Biovision.[5]

Ethiopia has been a focus country of Biovision since 2001. These projects have as their goal the widespread use of ecological methods for health promotion as well as for sustainable agriculture and land use. Biovision works with local partner organisations and the regional office of icipe in Addis Ababa. In project partnership with Helvetas, Biovision also supports the combined program for combating sleeping sickness in East Africa.[6]

Tanzania is a key country in Swiss development co-operation, which receives support from numerous international donors as well as from non-government organisations. Since 2006 Biovision has concentrated its work in Tanzania on preservation of biodiversity and conservational use of natural resources. To fulfil this aim Biovision co-operates with the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund EAMCEF.[7]

Biovision has been active in Uganda since 2009. Biovision supports traditional doctors in the use and cultivation of local medicinal plants, and so contributes to the conservation of the biodiversity of the surrounding forests.[8]

In accordance with the foundation goal, Biovision works for the increased dissemination of ecological thinking and action. The wasteful use of natural resources is a global problem. Conservation of biodiversity is also not just a local concern. For this reason Biovision is engaged in the field of information as well as in cross-national programmes in other countries.[9] With Hans Rudolf Herren as one of its authors and also co-chair, Biovision played a significant role in the drafting of the 2008 World Agriculture Report (IAASTD). At the Earth Summit in Rio (Rio+20), Biovision – together with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in New York - argued strongly for a change in the course of global agriculture.

• In 2010, a Biovision project - the Farmers Conservation Group in Kakamega, Kenya—was awarded the UNDP Equator Prize for improving local livelihoods through the commercial cultivation and processing of indigenous medicinal plants whilst at the same time preserving biodiversity.[10]
• In 2012, Biovision was granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations. In so doing, the ECOSOC Commission acknowledged the holistic nature of its activities and it allows Biovision to take part in UN Conferences, participate in official discussions and organize side events in order to argue its case.[1]
• In 2013, Biovision together with its founder Hans Rudolf Herren was awarded the Right Livelihood Award. In its citation, the Jury recognised Herren’s expertise and pioneering work in promoting a safe, secure and sustainable global food supply."[11]

• Wie Hans Rudolf Herren 20 Millionen Menschen rettete – Die ökologische Erfolgsstory eines Schweizer (biography, available in German only) by Herbert Cerutti, Orell Füssli (Zurich), 2011 [12]
• Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe: Menschen - Tiere - Pflanzen – Umwelt [Help for self-help: humans – animals – plants – environment] DVD d/e/f 33 min., Biovision 2008.

• Website of Biovision Foundation
• Infonet-Biovision: Online information portal for ecological agriculture, pest control and disease prevention
• icipe: African Insect Science for Food and Health, Nairobi/Kenya
• Changing course in global agriculture