Difference between revisions of "Food/Decentralizing food production"
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While this article gives suggestions on increasing food yields, the fact is that we already have enough food to feed everyone on the planet <sup>[http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm]</sup>. The problem, unsurprisingly, is distributing it. | While this article gives suggestions on increasing food yields, the fact is that we already have enough food to feed everyone on the planet <sup>[http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm]</sup>. The problem, unsurprisingly, is distributing it. | ||
| − | The problem in food | + | The problem in distributing food can be sidestepped by small-scale local production. Where production is decentralized, distribution is built in to the production system. If everyone has food available to them locally, {{wp|Food_security|food security}} is ensured; no one need starve due to the inefficiency and injustice of the distribution of our food-resources. |
[[Decentralization|Decentralized]] food production would mean a reduction in transport costs. [[Transport]] is currently a main contributor to the price of food (up to 77% of the total value of the food in sub-Saharan Africa <sup>[http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Africa.pdf]</sup>). | [[Decentralization|Decentralized]] food production would mean a reduction in transport costs. [[Transport]] is currently a main contributor to the price of food (up to 77% of the total value of the food in sub-Saharan Africa <sup>[http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Africa.pdf]</sup>). | ||
| − | Decentralization would also preserve the freshness and nutritional value of our food without the need for preservatives or energy-expensive refrigeration | + | Decentralization would also preserve the freshness and nutritional value of our food without the need for preservatives or energy-expensive refrigeration. |
Statistics are sketchy, but a very significant fraction of the world's food currently spoils before it can be consumed. (One estimate is that 35-40% of food produced in India spoils <sup>[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5967/812]</sup>.) Decentralizing production will go a long way towards reclaiming this food for people. | Statistics are sketchy, but a very significant fraction of the world's food currently spoils before it can be consumed. (One estimate is that 35-40% of food produced in India spoils <sup>[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5967/812]</sup>.) Decentralizing production will go a long way towards reclaiming this food for people. | ||
Moving food production away from large farms and towards gardens, greenhouses and small farms would also increase yield. This is because smaller farms are consistently found to be more productive <sup>[http://www.eurojournals.com/ejss_7_2_04.pdf][http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/wp_551.pdf][http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VBV-46SX3B7-1B&_user=10&_coverDate=08%2F31%2F1985&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1410518349&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=deca8f51a19f7216a34f9465b95dddcb][http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VC6-458XH5N-82&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F1985&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1410517391&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2aef2dd89d996b8af06df17b0b409850]</sup> | Moving food production away from large farms and towards gardens, greenhouses and small farms would also increase yield. This is because smaller farms are consistently found to be more productive <sup>[http://www.eurojournals.com/ejss_7_2_04.pdf][http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/wp_551.pdf][http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VBV-46SX3B7-1B&_user=10&_coverDate=08%2F31%2F1985&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1410518349&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=deca8f51a19f7216a34f9465b95dddcb][http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VC6-458XH5N-82&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F1985&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1410517391&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2aef2dd89d996b8af06df17b0b409850]</sup> | ||
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| + | This can be achieved by growing intense, sustainable agroecosystems in rural areas, as well as in city gardens, parks and rooftops. This will allow all areas but the most densely populated to be self-sufficient for food. In cities, in-vitro meat and controlled-environment growing can allow people to grow their own food locally, or even in their kitchen. Rare and specialised plants can be imported using [[Transport|efficient transport]], but any area can provide the day-to-day needs of its people. This has benefits beyond jut food - it is widely reported that getting locally-grown food direct from the grower, or even from one's own back yard, gives a positive sense of community and empowerment. | ||
Revision as of 18:11, 20 May 2011
While this article gives suggestions on increasing food yields, the fact is that we already have enough food to feed everyone on the planet [1]. The problem, unsurprisingly, is distributing it.
The problem in distributing food can be sidestepped by small-scale local production. Where production is decentralized, distribution is built in to the production system. If everyone has food available to them locally, food security 
is ensured; no one need starve due to the inefficiency and injustice of the distribution of our food-resources.
Decentralized food production would mean a reduction in transport costs. Transport is currently a main contributor to the price of food (up to 77% of the total value of the food in sub-Saharan Africa [2]).
Decentralization would also preserve the freshness and nutritional value of our food without the need for preservatives or energy-expensive refrigeration.
Statistics are sketchy, but a very significant fraction of the world's food currently spoils before it can be consumed. (One estimate is that 35-40% of food produced in India spoils [3].) Decentralizing production will go a long way towards reclaiming this food for people.
Moving food production away from large farms and towards gardens, greenhouses and small farms would also increase yield. This is because smaller farms are consistently found to be more productive [4][5][6][7]
This can be achieved by growing intense, sustainable agroecosystems in rural areas, as well as in city gardens, parks and rooftops. This will allow all areas but the most densely populated to be self-sufficient for food. In cities, in-vitro meat and controlled-environment growing can allow people to grow their own food locally, or even in their kitchen. Rare and specialised plants can be imported using efficient transport, but any area can provide the day-to-day needs of its people. This has benefits beyond jut food - it is widely reported that getting locally-grown food direct from the grower, or even from one's own back yard, gives a positive sense of community and empowerment.
