Market

Market

Saturday, September 19, 2009

NEWER PARADIGM FOR FOOD PRODUCTION


There are views and views as to how best humanity can survive against food shortages, water depletion and environmental degradation. But there is near unanimity regarding the need to raise food production significantly in the coming years though how this can be achieved is a subject matter of intense speculation as a clear cut answer is still eluding the planners. 'Sustainable agriculture', a phrase very commonly used by many stakeholders in this food search, does make sense in that food production is not a one shot process and the valuable soil in which it is raised must be preserved/refurbished for at least maintaining the production level, if it cannot be raised.

A workable and realistic food policy must be evolved to work out a strategy for production of agri-livestock based foods with the definitive objective of achievable targets within a time frame. "Growing so many grains to feed cattle, pigs and poultry in feedlots affect water supplies and air quality. Producing ample supplies of fatty meats adds to our waistlines. Subsidizing crops like corn takes a big bite out of the federal budget".

Well said, but how to go about making a U-turn now, after so much damage has already been done? Is there really a solution to the problem? May be, there is scope for at least trying to bring about radical changes in the current agricultural practices in a small way without affecting the large scale farms which have to meet the food needs of bulk of the population.
V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

No comments: