Over the past decade or so, researchers have found genetic evidence for contact between people in eastern Polynesia and those in coastal Peru and Colombia. Now archeologists studying the oldest settlement on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) have found physical evidence that islanders traveled to South America at least once and returned with food crops not known in Polynesia.
"A paper published in 2017 estimated that to match crop production to expected demand, water use for irrigation would have to increase by 146% by the middle of this century. One minor problem. Water is already maxed out."
George Monbiot today on the water crisis, the irrigation efficiency paradox and the water demands of a meat diet.
Research offers a reason why diversity in plant species causes higher farming yield, solving ‘a bit of a mystery’
A study shows how a boost in agricultural yield comes from planting diverse crops rather than just one plant species: Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving.
Just three plant species, wheat, maize and rice, account for 60% of all food eaten globally. Crop science expert, Prof Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, argues that many of Africa’s 30,000 edible plants must be revived. #Food#Farming#Agriculture#Crops#Africa#Wheat#Rice#Maize#PlantScience
The cost of cheap Avocados: Illegal #deforestation in #Mexico for #avocado#cartel#crops points to a blood-soaked trade with the United States involving threats, abductions, and killings.
EPA is seeking comments on whether to regulate neonic-treated seeds as pesticides. Please comment! This is an extremely important issue. Most crop seeds, especially corn, are treated with these pesticides, harmful to wildlife and humans.