AGRICULTURAL ZONES

AGRICULTURAL ZONES

In a previous article called “Greed and Poverty,” I referred to agricultural zones as being a partial answer to solving our global food shortage. Although there could be many variations of agricultural zones, they will have certain shared characteristics--They will be a part of a global set-aside program supervised by a variety of government entities. These will exist alongside other agricultural production and will resemble the other programs in every respect except that of free-trade. Free-trade carries with it a competitive nature that is not present in an agricultural zone. The purpose of the zone is to allow for global accumulation, storage and distribution of agricultural products that is kept separate from the supply and demand sector. The immunity from competition enables the exchange of agricultural commodities on an even-par basis that recognizes costs-of-production and distribution, but avoids the negative hoard-and-scarcity cycle that characterizes free-market tactics. This method allows the accumulation of staple agricultural items to proceed to sustainable levels of storage and distribution and limits the effects of hoarding and scarcity. Overproduction can also be more easily absorbed with improved storage capabilities and better methods of distribution. As these various cooperating governmental entities increase their interdependence and global cooperation, and as efficiencies are improved, other projects will be implemented to increase arable acreage, while respecting environmental-impact globally. Various lands which may already be included in set-aside programs as prudent conservation efforts, can now be included as a part of this increasing arable acreage. Techniques which have been in widespread use in various areas where arable land is at a premium, can now be implemented to transform these less-desirable, but nevertheless usable areas into productive cropland. Measures such as desalinization, irrigation, terracing, greenhousing, trellising and canopies can be further augmented with state-of-the-art mechanization and transportation infrastructures to integrate with the existing global networks. At the same time, individual efforts at personal gardening should be increased. As we each do our part to supply ourselves and our neighbors with fresh fruits and vegetables, the effect will be the stabilization of local demand and an increase in available global supply. Global nutrition and abundance begins at home. When these agricultural zones are implemented globally, each governmental supervisory unit will facilitate the proper production, storage, receipt and distribution of these agricultural products in-keeping with per-capita guidelines based on available nutritional recommendations. Global storage data will constantly monitor existing planting, production and harvesting schedules worldwide and provide supplemental climate and weather-related information that will affect the scheduling, storage and availability data. Scientists, engineers, planners, logisticians, experts in production and storage techniques can regularly exchange vital information that will enable more efficient global-monitoring, disaster-preparedness, production, storage, transportation and receipt of agricultural items. The goal of such a management system is to prevent starvation and malnutrition. As such, it will emphasize the burden of responsibility that all of earth’s citizens share. We are each responsible to do our part to provide for ourselves and others. None of us is able to see what the future holds for us individually. But all of us can do our best today to contribute to the general welfare of our planet’s sustainable food supply. We now have the capability of increasing food production exponentially on a global basis. Our techniques of greenhousing, terracing, irrigation, crop-rotation, planting, increasing yields, harvesting, storage and transportation have never been so efficient. We have the accumulated, documented wisdom of many generations to guide us in this task. What we have lacked heretofore was the will and the leadership to move forward. WE ARE ALL ONE PEOPLE. Those of us who have not recognized this yet will rely on those of us who HAVE to show us the way. So let us begin now to educate and empower those most qualified to lead us forward. Not only are we able to influence existing governments, but WE LITERALLY ARE THE GOVERNMENTS that will accomplish this great task of eliminating starvation and malnutrition globally, and within our own lifetimes. Let us resolve to make sustainable and nutritional food a priority for the planet and all of its inhabitants.

Mark Overt Skilbred