Yes, the simple spud is getting new attention as a way to stave off poverty and famine, maintain economic growth, and ensure social harmony. It simply takes less water to grow potatoes and their yield far more calories per acre (a great metric) than traditional alternatives.
The numbers describing the magnitude of the problem don't lie: China as to feed 1/5 of the world's population on 1/10 of the planet's arable land, and the nation's expanding cities are consuming farmland at breakneck speed.
China estimates that by 2030, when its population is expected to level off at roughly 1.5 billion, it will need to produce an additional 100 million tons of food each year.New, exotic potato varieties are being developed, a major potato research center is being launched in Beijing with the International Potato Center, and entrepreneurs are creating new potato-based foods in traditional forms (buns, noodles, cakes) to accelerate acceptance. In addition, the government has announced subsidies for farmers who grow high yield seed potatoes and expanded farmer training programs focused on innovative ways to raise crops (and rural incomes). And it's a good time to be in the Chinese potato business. Wholesale prices increased 85 percent from November to April, thanks in part to a severe drought that has limited supply.
Think these developments don't affect you? According to the article:
China has a long-standing policy of food self-sufficiency, growing 95 percent of the grain required to feed its people. The country's sheer size means that a major crop failure or other food emergency here could have international ramifications, overwhelming world food markets with sudden demand.Just goes to show that sometimes the catalysts for innovation are right in front of us. We just need to see the world in a new way.
No comments:
Post a Comment