Increasing FOOD PRODUCTION 

“With the world population increasing,  food production is vital. It can help reduce wars because  people with fully bellies don’t fight, but hungry people often do.”

        In my working life-time,  2 billion people in this world,  have become 8 billion with 10 billion predicted.

        Each country is unique and must work out food production needs for themselves but there are basic principles to be considered and if necessary, put in place.

A handful of tips to stimulate food-production

* Set clear, realistic national goals

        Clear, realistic national goals must be generated by national and provincial governments, for example Singapore has little growing land and New Zealand has plenty yet both countries have similar population numbers.

        Good growing land must be available at an affordable price and not taken up for housing or ‘play farms’.

        Wise countries develop  sound land-settlement schemes and train potential farmers in practical skills.

        Governments should budget to upgrade research, educational institutes and set up effective research, extension, communication and marketing services.

        Advisers should be well trained, offering a free objective service to all in need.  

* Rural growers need a voice to help influence decision-makers

        It is essential to involve  rural organisations  in planning to help minimise restrictions, red tape and corruption. The more you involve people the greater the chance they will support any necessary changes.

        More and more politicians now come from the growing cities and less and less have a knowledge of the requirements and the needs of rural people.

* Organise markets so farmers get honest returns for their products

        Make credit available for low-interest seasonal loans. Rural incomes are not spread evenly and due to droughts or floods may be lost after unpredictable weather.

        Make the best seeds and animals available at the lowest prices.

        Develop new and better markets, processing, packaging and exporting of surplus  products.

* Train objective extension workers

         Set up demonstration areas to show food producers the advantages of using new technology, to stimulate production and bring in greater returns. Different soil types and microclimates can grow different crops.

        Research should be based on rural needs.  Sound results should be implemented by good communication and sound demonstrations.

        Bring groups of farmers together to share their farming experiences.

        In Pacific and Asian countries there is a need for both male and female extension workers, to act as a link between farmers and specialists, such as soil or environmental scientists, entomologists, marketers and others. 

        There is a need for trained women extension workers to assist rural women as they play such a crucial role in food production, nutrition and raising families.  Many keep the financial records and assist with planning.

        By helping women set up home industries they can help stop the population drift, from rural to urban areas.

        Scientist and extension leaders need to be trained in good management skills. Poor management skills can become a limiting factor in the effectiveness of food production.  

*  Focus on the next generation   

        Raise educational standards. Start in the schools. Set up school farms. Train future food producers  in modern farming ways.  Encourage people to work on the land.

        Establish  farming cadet schemes and rural training institutes based on sound practical skills.

        Start more young farmers clubs to help build leadership skills, rural cadet schemes, farming groups and farming competitions.

        Rural planning and investment are the keys to food production and export earnings, both so essential for the well being of a country.

-Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates. co.nz )

“The key to success in food production is to know the rural producers needs and to satisfy them.”

Source: “Rolling On”, “A Workbook for Stimulating Agriculture” both published by Moss Associates, Ltd.

             “Rolling On” can be downloaded FREE from our website.

             “Stimulating Agriculture, A manual for training agricultural extension worker” published by UNDP, Thailand.

            “Stimulating Agriculture, Lessons from Asia and the Pacific” Occasional papers in rural extension, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.