Researching into this topic I realized that Genetic diversity plays a big role in the foods we eat and is affected through the main differences of industrial agriculture and sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is the procedure all farmers should aim for, as it provides a healthier and Eco-friendlier approach to producing food. Industrial agriculture is the main method of farming around the world as it provides the most efficient and fastest way of producing food, which in turn helps us feed the growing human population. However, the public is unaware of monoculture in our crops and the Genetic diversity in our food that is involved with Industrial Agriculture. An example would be French fries and potato chips (S.E. Smith article), which is commonly made from the Russet Burbank potato. Because of the huge demand from top tier companies in general, farmers are pushed to produce only one type of crop, which in turn hurts the integrity of Genetic diversity in our food. Another reason why the crops we produce and the foods we eat have such low Genetic diversity is because of monoculture. Monoculture is the practice of growing one single crop species over a wide area, maximizing efficiency. This creates a huge area that has virtually no Genetic diversity, which makes it susceptible to environmental catastrophes and a widespread of diseases. Farmers who support s
ustainable agriculture are the complete opposite, they raise different types of crops which are rotated around the field to help prevent disease and pest outbreaks because of Genetic diversity around the field. If I were to be given the choice of better tasting, healthier, but expensive apple versus a cheap, and unhealthy apple, it's obvious that I would choose the higher quality produce to protect my health in the long run.From the words of the wise 11 year old Birke Baehr (http://lifemorenatural.com/?p=1155) "you're either going to pay the farmer or the hospital". With this quote I took from this website shows that you're not necessarily paying more for your organically grown produce because you benefit from the long term health from clean, pesticide, and chemical free crops. However, with the efficiency of Industrial agriculture and the healthier, Eco-friendlier benefits of Sustainable agriculture, we need to combine the positive effects from both and combine them in to one type of universal agriculture. This type of agriculture will maximize the benefits of: Cheap and bountiful food, convenience for the consumer, and lastly consumer awareness, while minimizing the negative effects: Environmental damage and costs, health risks from chemicals and pesticides, and inhumane living conditions for livestock. With this type of agriculture we can feed the rising human population without giving up quality. With that being said, there are still many farmers out there that support sustainable agriculture. We as a community need to start purchasing organically grown produce so that the Industrial agriculturist's will realize the rising demand for organically grown crops and take up the practice for growing sustainable crops.
Blogs I commented on...
References,,,
http://lifemorenatural.com/?p=1155, Organic vs Industrial agriculture (Allan Warren May 7, 2009), Visited March 06, 2011
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm What is Sustainable agriculture? (Gail Feenstra), Visited March 06, 2011
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_industrial_agriculture/costs-and-benefits-of.html Hidden costs of agriculture (Union of concerned scientist), Visited March 08, 2011
http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/advantages_and_disadvantages_organic_farming.html Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic farming (Meg Howe and Graeme young), Visited March 08, 2011
