The Russians Prove Small Scale Organic CAN Feed the World

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/russians-prove-small-scale-organic-can-feed-world-1369923601

If you’ve already been through an economic collapse, you might know a thing or two about how to feed your family with little money. More importantly, you might know how to do it without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and GMO seed. On a total of about 20 million acres managed by over 35 million Russian families, Russians are carrying on an old-world technique, which we Americans might learn from. They are growing their own organic crops - and it’s working.

According to some statistics, they grow 92% of the entire countries’ potatoes, 77% of its vegetables, 87% of its fruit, and feed 71% of the entire population from privately owned, organic farms or house gardens all across the country. These aren’t huge Agro-farms run by pharmaceutical companies; these are small family farms and less-than-an-acre gardens.

A recent report from Agro-ecology and the Right to Food says that organic and sustainable small-scale farming could double food production in the parts of the world where hunger is the biggest issue. Within five to 10 years we could see a big jump in crop cultivation. It could also take the teeth out of GMO business in the US.

According to World Watch, we can also farm fish responsibly and feed the planet. Sustainable fish farms along with organic gardening are becoming the new agro-business.

[TheMadMonk]

1. Yes, but how do you get 1000% markup out of the value chain?

Modern commerce is lot like "Who shot Cock Robin?" Anyone and everyone who possibly can reaches out to touch the product/produce as it passes, and then lays claim to their own share of the profits.

[jtuck004]

2. Absolutely. The only problem is you have to work on a farm.

The majority of people in this country ran SCREAMING from the farm the first chance they got. It's hard, dirty, and doesn't pay diddly. Most would much rather work at a day job - (even McDonald's might be easier and more profitable), a few will garden a little bit, and talk about a kinder gentler world where people grow their own food.

Even in areas where there might not be enough space to get all the parts for traditional organic crops, manure, etc Will Allen in Milwaukee (fish-augmented farm), or Ron Finley in Los Angeles are examples of how one might adapt in more populated areas.

As economic conditions continue to deteriorate for many, it would be a good thing to promote. There are exceptions, and anyone who wants to can certainly make those methods work, with the bonus that every plant they grow is a few bits out of the maw of big agribusiness, which is a worthy goal. And one never knows when they might wish they had planted even a few scraggly plants just a few months back.

It is a tasty hobby too. My garlic is doing really well. The scapes are starting to head up to curl, soon to be pesto, or heated in some olive oil and mixed with eggs. Herbs are almost effortless to grow. My lawn clippings just get mixed in with the Alpaca poop I get from a neighbor - I just have to shake my head as the neighbors around me pay to have theirs hauled off.

Thanks for that.

[NutmegYankee]

3. Not to mention the abuse that rural people take.

If you stay on a farm, I've read that's because you are dumber than those who left. I live in a lower density area which feels rural, but I'm only 15 minutes from two small cities (~30,000). This is Connecticut after all... I'm just beyond the edge where the terrain is given up to woods or farmland. The nearest real grocery store is an 8 mile drive. Gardens are a big thing out this way as the town is very blue collar and people are trying to save money.