News

2014-01-04 |

Land-grab phenomenon threatens Africa

Critics question the wisdom of producing food for foreign consumption in regions where many go hungry — especially when the land deals displace local subsistence farmers. One way that local farmers can be served is by sharing with them the latest knowledge about small-scale, “agroecological” or low-input sustainable farming, which does not require costly agrochemicals, genetically modified seeds, and mechanised farm equipment in order to succeed. Agronomists have developed inexpensive ways to boost the productivity of small family plots, which can produce equal and, in some cases, higher yields than large plantations do.

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