In today’s agricultural system, grass-based livestock operations are giving way to confinements, while small and midsize diversified crop operations are losing ground to monocropped mega-farms. A similar phenomenon is happening on the oceans, with independent boats being replaced by industrial trawlers. We must stop this life destroying, dangerous trend. We need the dominant food production practices to be of net benefit to the environment – to increase topsoil and protect estuaries, store more carbon, and enhance biodiversity.
To accomplish this, the policy infrastructure that supports food production, from research to technical assistance to insurance and credit, must primarily encourage the integration of the best of cutting edge agroecological science with the best of time-honored indigenous wisdom and agricultural and fishing traditions. Supporting this shift both domestically and internationally is necessary for the world to feed itself. Policymakers must recognize the impacts of other industrial activities, like deforestation, mining, and fracking, on fish populations and ecosystem management. The protection and development of sustainable farming, ranching, and fishing systems will support ecological and public health, with safer environments for farmers and workers, and more diverse, nutrient-rich diets for everyone.
To accomplish this, the policy infrastructure that supports food production, from research to technical assistance to insurance and credit, must primarily encourage the integration of the best of cutting edge agroecological science with the best of time-honored indigenous wisdom and agricultural and fishing traditions. Supporting this shift both domestically and internationally is necessary for the world to feed itself. Policymakers must recognize the impacts of other industrial activities, like deforestation, mining, and fracking, on fish populations and ecosystem management. The protection and development of sustainable farming, ranching, and fishing systems will support ecological and public health, with safer environments for farmers and workers, and more diverse, nutrient-rich diets for everyone.
