What needs to happen to move towards sustainable organic agriculture as a means to feed our growing population?
Question by : What needs to happen to move towards sustainable organic agriculture as a means to feed our growing population?
What do you think needs to happen to move towards sustainable organic agriculture as a means to feed our growing population?
What do you think? Answer below!
6 Responses to What needs to happen to move towards sustainable organic agriculture as a means to feed our growing population?
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It will never happen.
JOHN L
May 10, 2011 at 8:27 pm
In my opinion (being an organic farmer), a substantial rise in conventional fuel prices is what it will take to promote widespread production of locally produced foods. Economics the driving force behind the use of non-sustainable agriculture practices. As long as conventional fuel remains relatively cheap, we will find the “conventional”, non-sustainable styles Agriculture dominating food production.
savvy-ma
May 10, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Increased use of vertical farms and the use of aquaponics systems closer to or in cities where the food is needed…reducing transport costs, fuel, water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc ..and allows for year-round crops, no losses to droughts, freezes, storms, insects, etc..
Conventional farming practices could benefit from terra preta soils or biochar which increase crop yields, lower water and fertilizer use, convert useless land to productive land and sequester carbon for centuries…mitigating global warming concerns. Reminerilizing soils would also be needed in some areas via rock or volcanic elements.
Vertical farming….high-rise buildings used to grow crops year-round closer to urban centers and add employment …
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
http://verticalfarmingaustralia.blogspot.com/
Aquaponics …one local company involved with this and a world-leader.
http://growingpower.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV9CCxdkOng&feature=related
Terra preta soils or biochar….
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153658.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217190439.htm
“It turns out that vast patches of the mysterious, richly fertile, man-made soil can be found throughout Amazonia. Through plot work, researchers claim terra preta can increase yields 350 percent over adjacent, nutrient-leached soils.
Many well-respected researchers now say terra preta, most of it still hidden under jungle canopy, could have sustained large, agronomic societies throughout Brazil and neighboring countries.
Amazing properties
The properties of terra preta are amazing. Even thousands of years after creation, the soil remains fertile without need for any added fertilizer. For those living in Amazonia, terra preta is increasingly sought out as a commodity. Truckloads of the dark earth are often carted off and sold like potting soil.”
http://deltafarmpress.com/management/terra-preta-unearthing-agricultural-goldmine
Related videos….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-hSl59ET2A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGurqqGTMW4&feature=related
http://www.biochar-international.org/
paul h
May 10, 2011 at 9:00 pm
a big rise in oil prices and a decentralization and decorporatization of agriculture.
farming will have to go from feeding the world to feeding regions. we will need a lot of 500 acre diversified farms, instead of CFO and mono cropping over millions of acres.We will also need urban growing and people growing at least 15% of their own food.
It will likely take not just petroleum getting too expensive to use for farming but also massive famines over the world, rioting and millions dying before anything really changes.
Ohiorganic
May 10, 2011 at 9:41 pm
A new way of producing goods. I think that Vertical Farming idea is a very good place to start. Not only does it save space, it also allows for a more controlled environment for growing crops. The only factor that can’t be controlled is the amount of sunlight.
Flix Ch
May 10, 2011 at 10:27 pm
The answer is easy, but the solution is a bitter pill.
To attain the goal you desire, we need to have 5 billion people die, today.
Their is no such thing as a sustainable organic agricultural solution to a growing population. Yields are to low, the associated increase in plant toxicity (see mycotoxins) and the phosphorus pollution problem resulting from the overuse of an unbalanced nutrient solution (aka manures, ashes) will keep this proposed solution from ever becoming a successful option with the current population, much less a growing one.
Texas R
May 10, 2011 at 11:11 pm