Madridagriculturaldemostration

Madrid agricultural demostration-21/11/2009 - Images by Biniam GhezaiYesterday agricultural demostration in Madrid was a sign of new change of this old industry.
University agriculture departments are similarly showered with research funding,as long as the research support corporate interests.But what's good for the public and its food supply is not necessarly "good enough" for corporate profits,at least in the minds of corporate executives and shareholders.
By relying of a few varieties and producing them in tremendous volume,we increase the chance that extended drouth or the sudden onset of uncontrolllable disease of pests could decimate a significant portion of the food supply.The Irish Potato Famine of the mid-19th century is a perfect example of what happens when a single,heavily-relied-on variety fails.Sin then,genetic concentration in crops has increased far more,raising the stakes still higher.
Have a look at the following assessments from the UN food and agriculture organization:
-Of the 4%of the 250.000 to 300.000 known edible plant species,only 150-300 are used by
humans.And just three plants-rice,maize(corn) and wheat-contribute nearly 60% of the
calories and protein obtained by humans from plants.
-Today,75% of the world's food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal
species.
-Since the 1990s,more than 90% of crop varieties have disappeared from farm fields as
farmers worldwide have abandoned their multiple local varieties for genetically
uniform,high-yielding varieties.Thirty percent of livestock breeds are at risk of
extinction;six breeds are lost each month.
Is the planet over popolated?