The Real Green Revolution

Some really interesting studies out. . .

The popular wisdom is that the introduction of chemically intensive farming was a "green revolution" that would feed more people and aid farmers. However data shows that the successful marketing of herbicides to farmers does not increase their profits. . .or their yields.

The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture recently released the results of their "Long-Term Agricultural Research" (LTAR) experiments. They found in Iowa that organic production increases yields and builds soil quality. By the fourth year in an organic crop rotation, they found that organic corn and soybean yields rose above conventionally gown fields. The improving performance in the organic plots is attributed to soil quality improvements that resulted form the organic certified land stewardship techniques. Thre was more soil organic matter, enhanced microbial activity in more diverse communities of organisms, and reduced soil acidity.

To further support these results, an unrelated study cited in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Science" published on June 12 projects that pesticides and other soil contaminants are reducing crop yields by about one third because of impaired nitrogen fixation and plant signaling. The most widely used persticide in the US--glyphosate-- or "Roundup" is known to be directly toxic to a number of soil microorganisms, including some responsible for nitrogen fixation.

So much for chemical companies solving world hunger.