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It simply isn't true that the last word has been said on this. "Modern" techniques (meaning since the "green revolution") have focussed on large areas of monocu

It simply isn't true that the last word has been said on this. "Modern" techniques (meaning since the "green revolution") have focussed on large areas of monoculture supported by various land additives sold to farmers by a few large corporations. There are so many ways that that can be changed to the benefit of the crops. This sort of evidence is tantalising: https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/city-allotments-match-farming-productivity-per-square-metre/ https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/city-allotments-mat... Scaling up allotment style production is not a trivial ask, but we live in a time where automation techniques look plausible to achieve it.

cyberax 3y ago
> "Modern" techniques (meaning since the "green revolution") have focussed on large areas of monoculture supported by various land additives sold to farmers by a few large corporations. And what's inherently wrong with that? I'm fine getting my CPUs and cars from just a few companies. > This sort of evidence is tantalising I wonder, do people really think that all farmers are morons? > Scaling up allotment style production is not a trivial ask, but we live in a time where automation techniques look plausible to achieve it. I grew up in Russia during 90-s, during the time of extreme poverty. We had a 1000 square meter plot where we grew some crops: a bit of potatoes, apple trees, pumpkins, tomatoes, etc. It required tending every week, for a day or so, with 4 people working. And it still needed fertilizers. And even so, we mainly did it to introduce variety in the diet, rather than provide the raw calories. That's why I'm so utterly skeptical of people bringing up all those ideas.