Chinese Farming Methods?

Could alternative farming methods save modern agriculture?

• Most prevalent farming method are mechanized versions of European-style systems, which cost us environmentally and economically, especially animal farming, despite how they increased ...show more

• Answer:

  Agriculture, like any industry, will evolve and change primarily in response to economic incentives. I would disagree with you that "Most prevalent farming method are mechanized versions of European-style systems, which cost us environmentally and economically...". Yes there is an environmental cost to modern agriculture (as there is to any human activity, including alternative means of food production), but in terms of economics, modern agriculture, whatever it's flaws may be, is very, very good at producing lots of inexpensive food. In inflation-adjusted terms, in the developed world, food costs have declined substantially over the past century. In terms of volume produced, many countries that were struggling to feed their populations 75 years ago, have shifted to being able to feed themselves, and in some cases, even export crops by adopting modern techniques. If alternative forms of "farming and wild harvesting" from non-European nations, as you put it, offered lower costs of production, you can bet that today's farmers would be looking closely at it. A few factors to consider are that: most farmers are marketing commodities. That means they can't control the price they receive. If they want to maximize return, their only option is to reduce costs per unit, or produce more, or both. Therefore a method that is more costly or less productive is unlikely to be adopted, regardless of whether it has other beneficial effects. Second, is the impact of labor costs and availability. In the Western world, the percentage of people working in agriculture has plummeted, it's now down to something like 2 percent. The cost has also gone way up. Therefore, you're going to see greater mechanization in agriculture as a result, not less. Production systems that work in a developing nation where 75 percent of the population still works in agriculture are simply not viable in a high-income country. Are you willing to become - not just a farmer, but a subsistence farmer? Wild harvesting nuts and berries? That's not to say we shouldn't or can't learn from non-European production methods. Agricultural research needs to look at all crops, varieties, and methods of production. There may be some traditional methods or varieties that show promise for further development. There could be disease-resistant or superior germplasm out there waiting to be discovered by Western researchers. Since many pests and diseases are exotic, researchers should be looking at the region of their provenance to see what methods or plant varieties are being used to cope with them. Given the importance of agriculture both in terms of economics, and well, feeding us, we should have an open mind to any or all potential improvements or ideas. Just some food for thought...