Kind of sad how much food-diversity is lost within a century.
Kind of sad how much food-diversity is lost within a century.
Reshared post from +Full Circle
This infographic shows a reduction of produce variety in the last century as a direct result of big businesses (i.e. Monsanto) controlling the world seed supply. It's time to change our food system!!
12 Replies to “Kind of sad how much food-diversity is lost within a century.”
I'm not a fan of Monsanto but, how much of this is really 'Big Ag control' and how much is people buying the 'best'. When given the choice, it makes sense that most would chose the same few high yield/low maintenance varieties and that's what the store is going to stock.
Why the CGRP isn't storing the historical diversity is a more intriguing question.
I'm not a fan of Monsanto but, how much of this is really 'Big Ag control' and how much is people buying the 'best'. When given the choice, it makes sense that most would chose the same few high yield/low maintenance varieties and that's what the store is going to stock.
Why the CGRP isn't storing the historical diversity is a more intriguing question.
I don't think the public even has the opportunity to make this kind of decisions, I think farmers/seed companies made the decision to go for higher yields and thus lower prices…. For me this picture was actually more intriguing to see the massive loss of diversity without actually putting the blame anywhere.
I've actually no idea how many of these seeds are still somewhere preserved.
I don't think the public even has the opportunity to make this kind of decisions, I think farmers/seed companies made the decision to go for higher yields and thus lower prices…. For me this picture was actually more intriguing to see the massive loss of diversity without actually putting the blame anywhere.
I've actually no idea how many of these seeds are still somewhere preserved.
I'm not disputing the reduction in varieties, but I'm going to need more evidence to believe that this is the doing of Monsanto.
Monoculture has been an issue since the 60s. Remember the Texas germplasm fiasco that killed off 25% of the corn in the U.S. in one year? Yeah, that was not Monsanto. That was the U.S. opting for high-efficiency farming, which demands strains that are uniform, synchronized, and disease-resistant.
Monsanto may or may not have a role in the current state of monoculture, but it didn't start with them, and I doubt they're the only driver in the game here.
I'm not disputing the reduction in varieties, but I'm going to need more evidence to believe that this is the doing of Monsanto.
Monoculture has been an issue since the 60s. Remember the Texas germplasm fiasco that killed off 25% of the corn in the U.S. in one year? Yeah, that was not Monsanto. That was the U.S. opting for high-efficiency farming, which demands strains that are uniform, synchronized, and disease-resistant.
Monsanto may or may not have a role in the current state of monoculture, but it didn't start with them, and I doubt they're the only driver in the game here.
+Billy Hung I totally agree with that (and was trying to say the same in my comment)!
+Billy Hung I totally agree with that (and was trying to say the same in my comment)!
+Sander Timmer Yes I think we cross-posted.
At any rate, instead of railing at Monsanto, I suggest people do something more direct to make a difference. Find your local Community Agriculture Co-op, and buy a share. If it's too much, find a friend and split a half share. Support these local co-ops that grow organically and who ship locally, and you will increase the diversity of crops in your area much faster and in much more meaningful way than boycotting Monsanto. Your $150 to $200 a year will make a big impact in the level of sustainable agriculture in your area. Buying organic food at national retailers is really not that much of a gain, imo, because you're still supporting large distribution chains that pay high carbon-footprints to bring you food.
I'd personally buy a non-organic certified apple from a local farmer within 30 miles of where I live than certified organic apple from Whole Foods. It also has the added bonus of keeping the money in your local tax base.
So for those who're not doing this already, consider growing local, and buying local.
[/soapbox]
+Sander Timmer Yes I think we cross-posted.
At any rate, instead of railing at Monsanto, I suggest people do something more direct to make a difference. Find your local Community Agriculture Co-op, and buy a share. If it's too much, find a friend and split a half share. Support these local co-ops that grow organically and who ship locally, and you will increase the diversity of crops in your area much faster and in much more meaningful way than boycotting Monsanto. Your $150 to $200 a year will make a big impact in the level of sustainable agriculture in your area. Buying organic food at national retailers is really not that much of a gain, imo, because you're still supporting large distribution chains that pay high carbon-footprints to bring you food.
I'd personally buy a non-organic certified apple from a local farmer within 30 miles of where I live than certified organic apple from Whole Foods. It also has the added bonus of keeping the money in your local tax base.
So for those who're not doing this already, consider growing local, and buying local.
[/soapbox]
It's a Pavlov response for some of us. Consperacy theorists whistle infographic, and we start drooling facts.
It's a Pavlov response for some of us. Consperacy theorists whistle infographic, and we start drooling facts.