mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
[QUOTE 5523851, member: 9609"]Not really, I think we're pretty much as intensive as it can practicably be.
GM and more fertilisers will likely see us produce more in the future though. (although some scientists reckon we only have another 50 to 100 harvests left before the soil breaks down to an unworkable dust, thats sounds great)
Food waste is a big thing though - I think we waste 30% of what we buy. And some estimates have food waste from farm to plate as high as 50% (although a lot of farm waste (ugly food) goes as animal feed so its not an entire waste)
ugly food = food supermarkets don't want case its the wrong shape or something (tastes just as good)[/QUOTE]
Yes the way soil is pulverised by big machinery and chemical inputs means we have an estimated sixty years of soil left - using current methods
But there are highly productive, soil building, regenerative methods being used out here already by quite a few of us.
But its still a bit under the radar - seen as niche - although its the only long term viable way of producing food - unless we're just going to grow it all in a lab.
One of the 'problems ' though is that if you get it right there are very few inputs for us to buy - ie no agrichemicals or expensive high tech anything.
So its not a popular promote, or R&D methodology with research institutions, agrochemical companies, or multiples, such as supermarkets , gm creators, all the multinational businesses that have defras ear.
Theres nothing to sell us - no middle man profit to extract - we grow abundant produce - we sell it to our customers direct - everyone wins - except for those mentioned above.
What it does takes though is knowledge, craft growing skills, an integrated nutrient and biomass recycling system, short supply chains ( ie local market) and quite a few human beans committed to making it work - and access to land for those who want to do it - preferably nearer to the cities that are going to eat it - all of which could create more jobs.
I've been selling 'funny shaped' veg for years - i get complaints if folks don't get a few 'comedy carrots' now and then
GM and more fertilisers will likely see us produce more in the future though. (although some scientists reckon we only have another 50 to 100 harvests left before the soil breaks down to an unworkable dust, thats sounds great)
Food waste is a big thing though - I think we waste 30% of what we buy. And some estimates have food waste from farm to plate as high as 50% (although a lot of farm waste (ugly food) goes as animal feed so its not an entire waste)
ugly food = food supermarkets don't want case its the wrong shape or something (tastes just as good)[/QUOTE]
Yes the way soil is pulverised by big machinery and chemical inputs means we have an estimated sixty years of soil left - using current methods
But there are highly productive, soil building, regenerative methods being used out here already by quite a few of us.
But its still a bit under the radar - seen as niche - although its the only long term viable way of producing food - unless we're just going to grow it all in a lab.
One of the 'problems ' though is that if you get it right there are very few inputs for us to buy - ie no agrichemicals or expensive high tech anything.
So its not a popular promote, or R&D methodology with research institutions, agrochemical companies, or multiples, such as supermarkets , gm creators, all the multinational businesses that have defras ear.
Theres nothing to sell us - no middle man profit to extract - we grow abundant produce - we sell it to our customers direct - everyone wins - except for those mentioned above.
What it does takes though is knowledge, craft growing skills, an integrated nutrient and biomass recycling system, short supply chains ( ie local market) and quite a few human beans committed to making it work - and access to land for those who want to do it - preferably nearer to the cities that are going to eat it - all of which could create more jobs.
I've been selling 'funny shaped' veg for years - i get complaints if folks don't get a few 'comedy carrots' now and then
