Crops' dependency on the weather is a double-edged sword.How often have we heard of food crops being ruined locally and worldwide? Just recently in China a typhoon took the lives of two in Taiwan and ruined fruit crops for the season. It was touching to watch footage of the wife of a farmer break down into tears but beyond the emotions there lay a grim reality that will extend far beyond the day. The crops were destined for the market for consumption. Not only is the livelihood of this farmer ruined but the global food crisis was not helped any.

Upon the wings of disaster human innovation has a habit of riding, like a surfer riding a large incoming wave before it breaks. Without the disaster there is just too little interest in the improvement of any given situation. In this regard one may recall echoes of various improvements made following local disasters. Without doubt the unfortunate Simshar incident will also result in its own fair share of policy modification, such as the requirement of all vessels beyond a certain distance from shore to possess certain standards in safety and communications gear. However as with many disasters the potential victims try to push the worst case scenarios out of their heads. Such could ‘never’ happen to them. In saying this I wish those surviving the victims a steady recovery.

However, returning to agriculture one cannot but note that most farm lands are excessively exposed to the elements by the shear nature of the methods used. Common agricultural practice involves the clearance of ground for the sowing of seeds intensively. This leaves bald soil unprotected by foliage or other vegetation and so such is vulnerable to both the sun and the wind. At the peak of hills erosion is even worse due to the increased exposure of the layout, which is why it is good practice to preserve cover vegetation at the tips so as to help prevent slides and to retain the regenerative properties of the cover. This would set the would-be farmer at advantage compared to a more ignorant food-grower but even multiple crop rotation cycles would still leave the fields relatively exposed. It is an age old problem. The outdoor farmer will always be at the mercy of the elements that he or she depends upon.

An alternative is to construct shelters of plastic or glass. Such provides the farmer with more control over the environment to which the crops are accountable. Results are also more reliable though the structures themselves are usually not impervious to the effects of weather. However in recent years a new concept in agriculture has been doing the rounds in the agricultural world. What if we were to integrate the concept of indoor farming with an architectural structure? The result would one variant in a variety of vertical agriculture plans that already exist on the web or in real life. The concept is in its infancy but I am of the belief that the concept is sound in principle, the growth of food crops within the urban environment. That would make food production much more reliable, provided that the structure can withstand a few good earth tremors.

Tags: , , , ,

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

96 Responses to “Food – from tragedy to innovation”
  1. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks

  2. obviously like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality nevertheless I will certainly come back again.

  3. I have taken note that of all types of insurance, health care insurance is the most marked by controversy because of the clash between the insurance company’s need to remain afloat and the client’s need to have insurance plan. Insurance companies’ commissions on health and fitness plans have become low, therefore some businesses struggle to earn profits. Thanks for the tips you reveal through this site.

  4. I am really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  5. Finding the village barn may not have been much of a challenge for my German removal firm, but carting my awkwardly shaped belongings up the narrow staircase in the barn certainly was! For long term storage it is important to take up very little space as you possibly can by stacking items upwards and also to keep belonging safe and dry. The next time I shall certainly invest in green, recyclable boxes when moving house again.

  6. exakt saw says:

    An stimulating speech is designer notice. I reckon that you should pen statesman on this theme, it power not be a preconception subordinate but generally grouping are not enough to mouth on such topics.

  7. I just want to say I am newbie to blogs and really liked your web page. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have fantastic article content. Bless you for revealing your blog.

  8. ellezza krem says:

    h, Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with seo? I am trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thank you!

  9. Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  10. I just want to say I am just new to blogging and site-building and absolutely liked you’re page. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You definitely come with beneficial well written articles. Thanks a lot for revealing your web-site.

  11. I have taken note that of all types of insurance, health care insurance is the most marked by controversy because of the clash between the insurance company’s need to remain afloat and the client’s need to have insurance plan. Insurance companies’ commissions on health and fitness plans have become low, therefore some businesses struggle to earn profits. Thanks for the tips you reveal through this site.

  12. ozoderm jel says:

    Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, superb site!

  13. I have realized that in unwanted cameras, special sensors help to focus automatically. The sensors involving some camcorders change in in the area of contrast, while others make use of a beam associated with infra-red (IR) light, especially in low lumination. Higher standards cameras sometimes use a blend of both models and could have Face Priority AF where the digital camera can ‘See’ a face and concentrate only in that. Many thanks for sharing your notions on this website.

  14. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could I subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

  15. The things i have seen in terms of computer memory is the fact there are specs such as SDRAM, DDR and many others, that must go with the technical specs of the mother board. If the pc’s motherboard is reasonably current while there are no operating-system issues, upgrading the memory space literally normally takes under 1 hour. It’s among the list of easiest personal computer upgrade methods one can imagine. Thanks for spreading your ideas in Poduszki

  16. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  17. bronzex2 says:

    Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply excellent and I could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  18. pet supplies says:

    Hi my loved 1! I wish to say that this post is incredible, wonderful written and come with almost all important infos. I would like to see far more posts like this .

  19. I do fear that I’d not improve upon that in the future.

  20. ervamatin says:

    This is the correct blog for anyone who needs to search out out about this topic. You notice so much its nearly laborious to argue with you (not that I truly would want…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply nice!

  21. ervamatin says:

    There are certainly quite a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to convey up. I supply the thoughts above as normal inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up the place a very powerful factor might be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around issues like that, but I’m positive that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Each boys and girls feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  22. ervamatin says:

    Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you gain additional information, would you consider updating your blog with more information? This will be very helpful.

  23. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  24. misutgaru says:

    Hey, I just hopped over to your site via StumbleUpon. Not somthing I would usually browse, but I appreciated your views none the less. Thanks for creating something worthy of reading.. yea nice Work An increase in Amazing Agreeable.

  25. Thanks for this neat post; this is the kind of read that keeps me going through my day. I’ve been searching around for your site after being sent to it from a colleague and was happy when I found it after searching for a while. Being a demanding blogger, I’m excited to see others taking initivative and contributing to the community. I would like to comment to show my appreciation for your blog as it’s very inspiring, and many authors do not get acceptance they deserve. Will definitely come back and will recommend to others.

  26. I simply desired to thank you so much again. I’m not certain the things I would have worked on in the absence of the points discussed by you on my subject. It previously was a real traumatic condition in my opinion, however , looking at the professional fashion you managed the issue made me to jump for delight. Now i am happy for your information and then trust you are aware of an amazing job your are doing teaching others by way of your web site. I’m certain you haven’t encountered all of us.

  27. Many thanks for creating the effort to discuss this, I feel strongly about this and enjoy learning a great deal more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your website with a great deal more details? It’s very beneficial for me.

  28. Many thanks for creating the effort to discuss this, I feel strongly about this and enjoy learning a great deal more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your website with a great deal more details? It’s very beneficial for me.

  29. I must express my thanks to you just for rescuing me from this particular matter. Just after browsing through the online world and seeing recommendations that were not helpful, I was thinking my life was over. Living without the presence of approaches to the issues you’ve solved by way of your good report is a serious case, as well as the kind that would have badly damaged my entire career if I hadn’t discovered your site. Your actual natural talent and kindness in handling all the details was valuable. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a point like this. It’s possible to at this point look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for the expert and results-oriented help. I won’t think twice to recommend your blog post to any person who wants and needs care about this issue.

  30. misutgaru says:

    WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. ?There are definitely a whole lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great level to convey up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you deliver up where crucial factor will be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both girls and boys feel the impact of just a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives

  31. rave music says:

    I like the layout of this place, it looks very pro! Is the template a free one or a premium one?

  32. Dee Viorel says:

    Great Post. I like your style of writing. I think you should use your awesome writing style to get paid. Me and my husband are using this course http://hopclicks.com/respectmoney to improve our earning from writing articles. You should try this out.

  33. dwarf rabbit says:

    I beloved as a lot as you’ll obtain performed proper here. The comic strip is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get got an nervousness more than that you want be handing more than the following. in poor health indisputably come further previously again since exactly exactly the same nearly a good deal often inside case you defend this hike.

  34. trancheuse says:

    I always was interested in this topic and stock still am, thank you for putting up.

  35. white light says:

    We stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.

  36. I must utilize the skill to thanking you have regarding specialist thoughts I have got over and over again experienced examining site. We’re anxious about the precise graduation in my or perhaps scientific studies as well as the over-all foot work wouldn’t are actually flawless whilst not approaching onto your blog site. Generally if i can often be for any friends, We are grateful that may in what I’ve truly practiced came from here.

  37. Nonetheless, being a US production, modern puritanical attitudes prevail, meaning the violence is dialed way up, as well as the cleavage is dialed way down.

  38. abtronic x2 says:

    I have been browsing online more than 3 hours as of late, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It’s beautiful worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web can be much more useful than ever before.

  39. Attractives sections of content. I justed stumbled your site and in capital that I acquire fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  40. This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  41. Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. With thanks!

  42. vibro shape says:

    Stackable boxes are a must when moving house, irrespective of self-drive van hire or removal company lorry. Sturdy green, recyclable boxes that can be reused time and again are the most useful option for frequent house moves and for long-term storage – irrespective of where the house move takes place. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to reload several times, because the awkward manner in which things are packed prevent a completely loaded van making one tour and one tour only

  43. wonderlift says:

    We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

  44. That is the proper weblog for anyone who wants to search out out about this topic. You realize a lot its almost exhausting to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!

  45. Excellent thorough suggestions the following.Id like to advise taking a check out which include something like cheeseburger. What do you believe?

  46. Casino Lunch says:

    Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It actually was once a entertainment account it. Look complex to more brought agreeable from you! By the way, how could we be in contact?

  47.  
Leave a Reply