As Australia dries, the world suffers

kd, I have to ask why are so many countries dependent on food imports. In a way, it puts food producing countries in an advantageous position.

The Philippines used to be a rice granary of the world. What happened to our country? Short-sighted, unsound, probably corruption-rooted government policy of land conversion mostly began by Fidel Ramos and continued by the fake president, Gloria Arroyo.

It was really inconceivable for the Philippines back in the 1960s and 1970s that we will ever, ever import rice. I was in grade school in the early 70s and I remember darn well social studies lesson talking of how the Philippines is one of the rice food granaries of Asia/world. Our IRRI rice expertise taught our neighbors efficient rice production. Given the nearly 100% arable land we have, it is extremely sad that we are importing rice today. Of course, population explosion can also be blamed--but isn't the lack of family planning also a part of ill government planning?

Did you know Yemen uses most of its water for growing a drug?

Yemen uses about 90 per cent of its water to irrigate qat, a mild narcotic plant whose use dominates Yemeni society.

Someone may have their priorities askew.

It doesn't seem like such a wise move, does it?

Jesusa, smart growth planning just doesn't seem to be popular. We must take control of and manage our future better. I believe there are areas where the goal is producing as many kids as possible. Somewhere along the line, personal responsibility must gain acceptance, too.

I read an argument years ago that there are three main breadbaskets in the world -- the American Midwest, Ukraine and South America. According to that position, we are able to feed the world, and any unsustainable susistence farming should cease.

River, it's downright dumb.

Jesusa, smart growth planning just doesn't seem to be popular. We must take control of and manage our future better. I believe there are areas where the goal is producing as many kids as possible. Somewhere along the line, personal responsibility must gain acceptance, too.

I believe I'm in full agreement with every point you made here.

I believe there are areas where the goal is producing as many kids as possible. Somewhere along the line, personal responsibility must gain acceptance, too.

The fields have to be prepared. The fields have to be planted. The fields have to be pollenated. The fields have to be watered and tended. The harvest has to be gathered.
There is a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money that goes into growing food. Countries who are having a such a tragic time feeding themselves need to plan their own fields. If they cannot, if they are not educated enough, then they need to be learning how. They cannot continue to be wholy dependent on handouts.

Farm families at one time were big before the mechanized age.

The Peace Corps and even missionaries have provided agricultural know-how and training. Those who subsistence farm must convert to sustainable farming. You're right -- they don't need hand-outs, they need a hand up. I know of a case involving Nakhokho's Good Samaritan School in Bunabumali, Uganda. They have three growing seasons but no money to buy garden seeds. I contacted a seed company after someone from our embassy gave me a lead, but they didn't respond.

. . . too much housing is built on prime farm land.

You are correct. Weak or no zoning, or zoning subverted. Here, they still haul off topsoil and render the "developed" ground inhospitable for cropping. Cluster housing is better, as is urban infill and brownfields. No good farmland should be "developed" ever again.

What I refer to predates eco geeks. They came along later and they're often not guided by reason. Conservation and farmland protection have been around a very long time, although smart growth planning is more recently being pursued.

Some still cannot fathom that farmland often already is the highest and best use of the land -- it is developed. Others say it must be "developed" into some other use. Right now, some 35 million acres here are set aside in the Conservation Reserve Program. I'd hate to think this land is pulled back into production, but that may become necessary.

Global conservationism may be the best route to ply.