Better Dirt Key To Solving Food Crisis

World's Soil Getting Worse, Especially In Sub-Saharan Africa, Scientists Warn

(AP)  Science has provided the souped-up seeds to feed the world, through biotechnology and old-fashioned crossbreeding. Now the problem is the dirt they are planted in.

As seeds get better, much of the world's soil is getting worse and people are going hungry. Scientists say if they can get the world out of the economically triggered global food crisis, better dirt will be at the root of the solution.

Soils around the world are deteriorating with about one-fifth of the world's cropland considered degraded in some manner. The poor quality has cut production by about one-sixth, according to a World Resources Institute study. Some scientists consider it a slow-motion disaster.

In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 1 million square miles of cropland have shown a "consistent significant decline," according to a March 2008 report by a worldwide consortium of agricultural institutions.

The cause of the current global food crisis is mostly based on market forces, speculation and hoarding, experts say. But beyond the economics lie droughts and floods, plant diseases and pests, and all too often, poor soil.

A generation ago, through better types of plants, Earth's food production exploded in what was then called the "green revolution." Some people thought the problem of feeding the world was solved and moved on. However, developing these new "magic seeds" was the easy part. The crucial element, fertile soil, was missing.

"The first thing to do is to have good soil," said Hans Herren, winner of the World Food Prize. "Even the best seeds can't do anything in sand and gravel."

Herren is co-chairman of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, a collection of scientists sponsored by the United Nations and World Bank. It produced a 2,500-page report last month which, among other recommendations, emphasized a need to improve the world's soil.

Genetic improvements in corn make it possible to grow up to 9,000 pounds of corn per acre in Africa. But millions of poor African farmers only get about 500 pounds an acre "because over the years, their soils have become very infertile and they cannot afford to purchase fertilizers," said Roger Leakey, a co-author of the international report and professor at James Cooke University in Australia.

Soil and water issues "have been taken for granted," said Ohio State University soil scientist Rattan Lal. "It is a problem that is not going to be solved. It's going to get worse before it gets better."

In Africa, farmers are forced to use practices that rob nutrients from the soil, not put it back, said Herren, who heads a nonprofit organization. Fertilizer is a quick, short-term fix, but even that isn't being done, he said.

The current crisis could have been avoided "if we, the world, had promoted fertilizer in Africa and we have known for ages it works," said Pedro Sanchez, Columbia University tropical agricultural director.

In that way, the problem with soil is a prime example of a larger failing of agriculture science, said Sanchez, who has won both the World Food Prize and a MacArthur genius grant. Scientists have the knowledge to feed the world right now, but that is not happening, Sanchez said. "It's very frustrating, especially when you see children dying."

The fruits of biotechnology and the staples of modern agricultural scientific techniques include irrigation, crop rotation, reduced tilling, use of fertilizer and improved seeds. It's a way of farming differently instead of just using better seeds that requires extra money up-front that many African farmers don't have, scientists said.

Fixing soil just isn't "sexy" enough to interest governments or charities, said Robert Zeigler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute in Manila, Philippines.

Zeigler's center last week planted its 133rd crop of rice in the same land since 1963, trying to pinpoint the right combination of nitrogen and fertilizer. Better seeds worked wonders. But finding money for soil health is difficult and because of that, less work is accomplished, he said.

But there are success stories, Sanchez said, pointing to the small African country of Malawi. Three years ago, the country's new president invested 8 percent of Malawi's national budget in a subsidy program to get fertilizer and better seeds to small farmers. Each farmer got two bags of fertilizer and 4.5 pounds of seeds at less than half the cost.

Before the program started, one-third of Malawi was on food aid and the country was not growing enough food for itself, Sanchez said. It was producing 1.2 million tons of maize in 2005. In 2006, Malawi had more than doubled its production. By 2007 and 2008, the crop was up to 3.4 million tons. Now Malawi is exporting corn.

"In two years, the country has changed from a food aid recipient to a food aid donor and is self-sufficient," Sanchez said. "if Malawi can do it, richer countries like Nigeria, Kenya can do it."

[rf35]

Overworked dirt. Not something that can be fixed in the long run. The Earth''s population is unsustainable. That''s what it all comes down to. Too many people having way too many babies. The planet is beginning to revolt. Nature''s immune system is kicking in. Humans WILL be brought into sustainable balance. The question is: will we do it willingly by having fewer children to consume resources, or maintain current practices resulting in massive famine, disease, and slow, lingering death.

[rf35]

Actually, bull poop could help.

[hbevis]

The soil can be returned to full production if people know how. The trouble is that most of the world does not know how. If we started right now it would take several years to bring production up. But with the cost of fertilizer so high a lot of farmers are going to use less fertilizer and that is going to make the soil worse, not better.

If the United States had stayed on course with the Alcohol about 30 or 35 years ago we would have had most of the problem solved by now.

There has been a lot of research done on the making fuel from water. By breaking it down into Oxygen and Hydrogen and then using it as the fuel to power all kinds of engines. But again this takes time.

So, in the mean time we are letting the Arab Countries rob us blind. With no solution in sight. From the data I have seen, the corn that is used to make Alcohol is better for Livestock that is was before it is used to make the Alcohol. Please know what you are talking about. Research your topic then make a learned judgment. And write what you please then.

[questionnews]

I guess this will alter the meaning of the term "Dirt Cheap"

[bot5plus]

Let throw Bushit and Cheneyko from the white-shiiit-house into that mix cause they are not worth a shiiit (fertilizer) and full of crapppp (more fertilizer).
Let''s also throw the battlin jackarrssee whole Dumbocratit candidates Osomma yo Mamma and the ridiculous turrd of a women (man is her asssse getting bigger by the day) Hilbillary Clintit.
Ya know, if all the politicians in our Federal and State governments where wiped from the face of the planet (sort of like a political potato blight, no one would notice.

[walkshe]

As silly as it might sound, the "old timers" had the right idea. Organic is the best and doesn''t have to be expensive. I raise rabbits and my neighbors hit my door early spring to get bags of my "pelleted gold" for their gardens. Studies have shown that by using organic fertilizers, some plant maladies are actually stopped by organics rather than man-made fertilizers and/or pesticides. Rabbit manure is one of the best - doesn''t have to be composted - won''t burn plants and is very easy to spread (handy pelleted form). Why do the governments have to make everything so hard. France has some of the largest rabbitires in the world. Why not chip in and send them some bunny poo. Again, I know it sounds silly, but do some research on it. Sometimes, the old ways were best.

[nonayabiness]

So now they want us to eat dirt? Well, that would shave a bit off the grocery bill. And with what Washington puts out every year, it is an unlimited renewable resource. America, our problems are now solved!

[Martha Z]

Oh no, now we have to worry about the soil AND the honey bees...

[bobbyduck1]

womenonguard posted:Oh no, now we have to worry about the soil AND the honey bees...

Actually we also have to worry about all the cynics who prefer to bury their head in the sand while laughing at folks who care whether we have food for the next generation or not

[seafang]

"There has been a lot of research done on the making fuel from water. By breaking it down into Oxygen and Hydrogen and then using it as the fuel to power all kinds of engines. But again this takes time. by hbevis"

Where did you go to school hbevis, you can''t get any lower on the stored chemical energy food chain that water. Well actually you can get a little bit lower by going to seawater(salty).

There is NO chemical energy available from water; which is simply the effluent (trash) that was left over when Mother Nature burned up all the Hydorgen on the planet billions of years ago. Didn''t they ever teach you in school that it takes the same amount of energy plus more fore innefficiancies, to get the hydrogen out of the water, as you get back when you burn the hydrogen; so where are you going to get THAT energy from. (remember petroleum is evil and we mustn''t use that).

So this is the result of our great public education system.

[rf35]

They are actually using the algae to produce hydrogen. Look for the technology to mature in less than a decade (DOE estimate).

[yongamerica]

The cause of the current global food crisis is mostly based on market forces, speculation and hoarding, experts say. The current price of oil is the result of the same forces.

[mediapreachr]

Keep turning food into fuel-sure way to get rid of excess population.
Meanwhile Gore''s getting plump and juicy.

[hk94]

This is garbage. The food issue is that it is now too expensive for poor people to afford it. If we would stop subsidizing and mandating biofuels which is highly inefficient and a waste of crops, the price would not have shot through the roof. So many people on this forum hate the oil companies and their profits. What about the biofuel companies like ADM and their rich profits and subsidies? These congressionaly mandated policies are hurting us all. Oh, that''s right it fits the political dogma so it''s ok to starve people.

[apprxam]

Has AMD, Cargil and Monsanto, the BIG 3 DIRT MAFIA, given CBS permission to talk about dirt and its'' properties and composition? Better dirt is free dirt and we know that isn''t the case, even in dirt poor Sub-Saharan Africa nothing is owned, but chartered by the IMF, the UN and anyone else who ain''t hungry.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Is it taboo to discuss? Would it put the breaks on the Capitalist Death Train?" Posted by curse914

No, it is not taboo, but the truth is.

"Depopulation" as you call it, would be most effective when the biggest food consumers and wasters were targeted first, which means you start with rich Americans and Europeans. Are you willing to do that?

[tmittelstaed]

Here''s how we handle the problem of dirt in most of the cities in the US.

We go buy big bags of fertilizer.

We spread it on our lawn, and the lawn grows lush and green.

We drag out the lawnmower and throw bags and bags of grass clippings into the trash.

In the fall we throw bags and bags of leaves into the trash.

The grass clippings and leaves turn to nutrient-rich compost in the landfill where it then gets contaminated by batteries and paint that people throw in the trash.

We then go buy more bags of fertilizer.

It''s the c y c l e of life!

[pollroller1]

Who would have ever thought that you needed dirt to grow food. WOW, you learn something new everyday.hahaha
tmittelstaed, I agree with you 100%

[estabwary]

That''s because we think we can use & use & not give back.

[downsteamjim]

To brianbwb and you other depopulators: You must be celebrating the disaster in Burma.

[randynason]

You mean the soil is contaminated by improper nutrients because we haven''t contained pollution properly? Say it ain''t so!

[middleman8]

The human species is screw--ing itself away from the table..
Pure and simple.

[naucoming4u]

To brianbwb and you other depopulators: You must be celebrating the disaster in Burma.

Posted by downsteamjim at 12:52 PM : May 10, 2008
...........

I suspect what they mean by "depopulation" is the limitation of child bearing among all nations, starting sooner rather than later. (which I support)

It is extremely irresponsible and selfish to have more than three children in this world, this day and age.

[naucoming4u]

It is extremely irresponsible and selfish to have more than three children in this world, this day and age.

Posted by NAUcoming4U at 05:42 PM : May 10, 2008
.........

The education needs to be focusing on the amount of resources that "x" amount of humans require and as those humans exponentially reproduce, the amount of earth''s resources is exponentially required.

Alas, people are brainwashed by their various religions that it is okay to "be fruitful and multiply"... and to introduce facts that contradict that mindlessness... is almost or completely taboo in virtually every society.

[hypnotoad72]

"Depopulation" as you call it, would be most effective when the biggest food consumers and wasters were targeted first, which means you start with rich Americans and Europeans. Are you willing to do that?

Posted by brianbwb
--------------------

Surely the uneducated would be more apropos targets - such as those who think 80s rock songs denouncing education as "thought control" were influential and intelligent (um, NOT)... and even I try to hide scowls when I see parents let children rum amok with wasting food - which isn''t terribly often, but then I usually go to restaurants where civilized people attend. Not to mention it''s less of a generalization, but I digress.

[rf35]

"Depopulation" as you call it, would be most effective when the biggest food consumers and wasters were targeted first, which means you start with rich Americans and Europeans. Are you willing to do that?
Posted by brianbwb at 03:16 AM : May 10, 2008

Depopulation will occur involuntarily, starting with the poorest and most susceptible to starvation and disease. It will strike hardest in Third World nations. Since America is in danger of becoming a Third World country, your wish may be partially granted. And since that attitude is in line with Muslim extremist thinking, maybe you should go down to your local al Qaeda recruiting station and sign up! I''m truly surprised by your comment brianbwb...you''re usually so rational.