The politics of the agro-ecological movement in the Global North and the Global South | P2P Foundation
The politics of the agro-ecological movement in the Global North and the Global South
November 3, 2016 No Comment Michel Bauwens 6 min read
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Because they are often developed and shared through extensive Campesino a Campesino (farmer-to-farmer) social networks, peasant-based agroecological approaches are an integral part of many agrarian struggles for land and market reforms… For them, agroecology is… a science, a practice and a movement.
The following article presents the Latin American and other Global South farmer’s movement as peer to peer movements that have an integrative approach to self-organisation, land ownership, and technology, and is critical of approaches that ignore the land and organizational questions. It was co-authored by Eric Holt-Giménez and Miguel Altieri and originally published in Food First:
The Green Revolution is a one-size-fits-all technological model for global agricultural development that originated in the breadbasket of the United States. Following World War II, the US turned “swords into plowshares” by transforming the vast stocks of wartime nitrate and poisons into fertilizer and pesticides, and by refitting arms factories to make newer, bigger farm machinery. Hybrid seeds were bred to respond to irrigation and chemical inputs. Industrial agriculture boomed.
However, US farmers soon bought all of the new technology they needed. Seeds, agrochemicals and machinery began to pile up in warehouses. The solution to the problem of industrial surplus was to export the uniform model of production to very different and diverse geographical, cultural and social environments in the Global South.
Carl Sauer, a highly respected Professor of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley with vast experience in Latin American agriculture, was originally contracted by the Rockefeller Foundation as a consultant to the US Mexican Agricultural Program regarding the possibility of exporting US agricultural technology to Mexico—ostensibly to help Mexico increase their food security. But Sauer strongly advised Rockefeller against the approach:
“A good aggressive bunch of American agronomists and plant breeders could ruin native resources for good and all by pushing their American stocks…and Mexico cannot be pointed toward standardization on a few commercial types without upsetting native economy and culture hopelessly. Unless the Americans understand that, they better keep out of this country entirely. This must be approached from an appreciation of native economies as basically sound.” [i]
The Rockefeller Foundation dismissed Sauer’s concerns and, despite internal opposition, went forward with the project—which became a 50-year global campaign—later known as the Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution was spread with subsidized credit, international institutions and government programs, to millions of farmers in the Global South. With massive investment, global food production increased dramatically. But, Carl Sauer’s predictions came true: because the technology required capital, it concentrated production on large farms and in fewer and fewer hands—the best agricultural land. Smallholders were driven to the fragile hillsides and into the rain forests. When they were offered cheap credit to buy Green Revolution seeds and chemicals, these inputs quickly destroyed the fertility of their soils and eroded their local genetic diversity. Yields fell, millions of small farmers were economically ruined, and millions of acres of forests and topsoil were lost.
The Green Revolution proved to be a disastrous mismatch for the Global South. In its aftermath, peasant farmers struggled to stay on the land and restore the ecological integrity of their farming systems. They found a way with Agroecology.
Although many northern academics claim that the term Agroecology was first coined by European scientists at the beginning of the 20th century,[ii]the roots of agroecology lie in the ecological rationale of indigenous and peasant agriculture still prevalent in many parts of the developing world today.[iii]
Thirty years ago, Latin American agroecologists argued that a starting point for a better, pro-poor agricultural development strategies were the systems that traditional farmers had developed over centuries. From the early1980s on, hundreds of agroecologically-based projects incorporating elements of both traditional knowledge and modern agricultural science have been promoted throughout Latin America and other parts of the developing world. A variety of projects emerged showing that over time these agroecologically-managed systems bring benefits to rural communities by enhancing food security with healthy local food, strengthening their resource base (soils, biodiversity, etc.), preserving cultural heritage and the peasant or family farm way of life, and promoting resilience to climate change.[iv]
Agroecology also contributes towards the process of “re-peasantization” in which, contrary to the general tendency of migration from the countryside to the city, smallholders are returning to the land. For peasant organizations, agroecology has proven vital in their struggle for autonomy by reducing their dependence on external inputs, credit and indebtedness and also by recovering their territories.[v] Because they are often developed and shared through extensive Campesino a Campesino (farmer-to-farmer) social networks, peasant-based agroecological approaches are an integral part of many agrarian struggles for land and market reforms as well as peasant movements against land grabs and extractive industries. For them, agroecology is not just a scientific or technological project, but a political project of resistance and survival. It is a science, a practice and a movement.
In Latin America, agroecology is often viewed as an applied science embedded within a social context that challenges capitalist agriculture and is allied with agrarian movements. Deeply engaged with ongoing agrarian debates, Latin American agroecologists typically support both bottom-up agricultural development and peasant resistance against the corporate, industrial agriculture and neoliberal trade policies.
Agroecology is spreading in the US and Europe. This is good news. But similar to the southward spread of the Green Revolution, the northward spread of agroecology has encountered a mismatch, and it is political.
The political dimension of agroecology is problematic in the Global North—particularly in the United States—because challenging the root causes of industrial agriculture’s socio-environmental destruction implies challenging capitalism itself. It requires a radical (i.e. going to the root) critique that transcends the notion that minor adjustments or ‘greening’ the neoliberal economic model will bring about substantive change. It situates agroecology outside mainstream academic, government and non-governmental programs and within the resistance struggles of the social movements fighting for food sovereignty, local autonomy, and community control of land, water and agrobiodiversity.[vi]
But, agroecology in the US and Europe is not anchored in strong agrarian movements. The northern arena of agroecological debate is dominated by an eclectic soup of apolitical narratives (read: avoiding the subject of capitalism), largely promoted by consumers and academics, global institutions, big NGOs and big philanthropy. This institutional camp uses a variety of terms (sustainable intensification, climate-smart agriculture, diversified farming systems, etc.) to promote a reformist definition of agroecology as a set of additional tools to improve everyone’s toolbox. Big, small, organic, conventional… will all get along better with a little more agroecology.
The cooptation of agroecological practices will make industrial agriculture a bit more sustainable and a little less exploitative, but will not challenge underlying relations of power in our food system. Further, agroecology “lite” ignores the ways in which large-scale, industrial monocultures undermine the existence of the smallholder farmers who farm agroecologically. The voices of agroecological practitioners —Afro-American, Latino, Indigenous and Asian communities, smallholders and urban farmers—and of low income consumers, progressive academics and NGOs critical of conventional agriculture, are marginal or muted in this discourse.
Agroecology—as a countermovement to the Green Revolution—is at a crossroads, struggling against cooptation, subordination, and revisionist projects that erase its history and strip it of its political meaning.[vii] De-politicized agroecology is socially meaningless, divorced from agrarian realities, vulnerable to the corporate food regime and isolated from the growing power of global food sovereignty movements.
Agroecology has a pivotal role to play in the future of our food systems. If it is co-opted by reformist trends in the Green Revolution, the agroecological countermovement will be weakened, the corporate food regime will likely be strengthened, and substantive reforms to our food systems will be highly unlikely. However, if agroecologists build strategic alliances with food sovereignty and agrarian movements—at home and abroad—the countermovement will be strengthened. A strong countermovement could generate considerable political will for the transformation of our food systems.[viii]
Whether one recognizes the politics of agroecology—or tries to hide them—it is precisely these agrarian politics that will determine our agricultural future.
Miguel A. Altieri, University of California, Berkeley
Eric Holt-Giménez, Food First
----------------------
[i] Jennings, B. (1988) Foundations of International Agricultural Research: Science and Politics in Mexican Agriculture. Boulder CO: Westview Press.
[ii] Wezel, A., S. Bellon, T. Doré, C. Francis, D. Vallod and C. David. (2009) Agroecology as a science, a movement, and a practice. A Review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 29(4): 503–515.
[iii] Altieri, M.A. (2002) Agroecology: the science of natural resource management for poor farmers in marginal environments. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 93: 1–24.
[iv] Altieri, M.A. and C.I. Nicholls. (2008) Scaling up Agroecological Approaches for Food Sovereignty in Latin America. Development, 51(4): 472–80. URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/dev.2008.68
[v] Van der Ploeg, J.D. (2009) The New Peasantries: Struggles for Autonomy and Sustainability in an Era of Empire and Globalization. Earthscan, London, 356 p.
[vi] Rosset, P.M. & Martinez-Torres, M.E. (2012) Rural Social Movements and Agroecology: Context, Theory and Process. Ecology and Society, 17: 17-26
[vii] Roland, P. C, and R. W. Adamchak. (2009) Tomorrow’s Table: Organic Farming, Genetics and the Future of Food. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Tomich, T., S. Brodt, F. Ferris, R. Galt, W. Horwath, E. Kebreab, J. Leveau, et al. (2011) Agroecology: A Review from a Global-Change Perspective. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 36(15): 1–30.
[viii] Holt-Gimenez, E and M.A. Altieri 2013 Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and the New Green Revolution. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37: 90-102
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88 Bill Mollison: Permaculture: A Designers' Manual
Permaculture: A Designers' Manual: Bill Mollison
Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 119 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0908228010
ISBN-10: 0908228015Why is ISBN important?
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.
It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order. Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
The philosophy behind permaculture is one
------------
Product details
Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Ten Speed Pr (August 1, 1997)
Language: English
--------------
Pearl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 119 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0908228010
ISBN-10: 0908228015Why is ISBN important?
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.
It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order. Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
The philosophy behind permaculture is one
- of working with, rather than against, nature;
- of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action;
- of looking at systems in all their functions rather than asking only one yield of them; and
- of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions
------------
Product details
Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Ten Speed Pr (August 1, 1997)
Language: English
--------------
Pearl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best :)November 27, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Simply the best :)
I upvoted someone's review because she said it was too complex, she couldn't understand it. Yes, I DID find that helpful, means it's what I want :) I didn't want a quick article off the net about permaculture, I wanted a university (or higher, the real world is higher than any school) level textbook. Exactly what I wanted :)
34 people found this helpful
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Dustin D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Simply the best :)
I upvoted someone's review because she said it was too complex, she couldn't understand it. Yes, I DID find that helpful, means it's what I want :) I didn't want a quick article off the net about permaculture, I wanted a university (or higher, the real world is higher than any school) level textbook. Exactly what I wanted :)
34 people found this helpful
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Dustin D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Reference manual, dry if you want a general understanding.November 3, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is the "Bible" for permaculture and food forest production.
However if you are just getting into or are just interested in the general concepts of permaculture, I would buy "Introduction to Permaculture" by Bill Mollison or "Gaias Garden". This will wet your beak and stay more generalized and get a understanding of what Permaculture and food forest systems can do as well as open your eyes to how our current monoculture systems are not sustainable and how much food you can actually produce on just a small acreage or even a suburban lot. The PDM is good for once you have gotten the general concepts and/or have started a PDC for certification. This holds almost all the information you need to start and build a system, answer questions. it is a great reference manual for implementing the system, but is very dry if you are looking for a introduciton/inspiration to start this on your property.
28 people found this helpful
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corrina j ford
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recomendMay 10, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is truly one of the best purchases I have ever made. The book can read a bit dry and can resemble stereo instructions in some places however, the vast knowledge and experience shared in this book far outweigh any kibitzing I could possibly come up with. I would recommend this book to anyone and suggest taking a permaculture class for the discussion and practical application as well.
3 people found this helpful
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JimmyB
5.0 out of 5 starsPermaculture in its purest form.July 15, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Not much to add to this. If you're interested in Permaculture, this is the Genesis.
I like to balance the principles here with some other things as well. Couple this with Holistic Management, and Keyline Design, to form the perfect Trinity.
3 people found this helpful
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Zing Nafzinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
1) He doesn't pay enough attention to seed saving and plant breeding. A loss of seed diversity and a re-invigoration of seed savers is essential to truly sustainable self-sufficient design.
See:
Seed to Seed - by Suzanne Ashworth and Kent Whealy
Breed your own Vegetable Varieties - by Carol Deppe
2) He very rarely mentions the role mushrooms and fungi can play in sustainability.
See:
Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets
3) He doesn't stress the science behind it enough, which is fine, but leaves you asking sometimes... how do we know this is really ecologically sound? How can I NOT imitate mr. mollison but still create an ecologically sound system? Basically, Mollison's proscriptions are incredibly scientifically informed but not always scientifically explicit.
See:
4) In relation to the first point, he also doesn't stress the role that evolution plays in sustainability. This is a very complicated problem, see book.
See:
Evolutionary Conservation Biology.
These are not really criticism so much as signs of slight conceptual anal retentiveness on my part... Also please don't forget mollison's OTHER books which are incredible as well, especially the permaculture book of ferment and human nutrition.
138 people found this helpful
J.W.K
5.0 out of 5 stars
If ecology was the primary intellectual response to the environmental and agricultural crises of the twentieth century, permaculture (or permanent agriculture) was its practical application. Born in the mid-seventies, permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison defines this new field as "the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is the "Bible" for permaculture and food forest production.
However if you are just getting into or are just interested in the general concepts of permaculture, I would buy "Introduction to Permaculture" by Bill Mollison or "Gaias Garden". This will wet your beak and stay more generalized and get a understanding of what Permaculture and food forest systems can do as well as open your eyes to how our current monoculture systems are not sustainable and how much food you can actually produce on just a small acreage or even a suburban lot. The PDM is good for once you have gotten the general concepts and/or have started a PDC for certification. This holds almost all the information you need to start and build a system, answer questions. it is a great reference manual for implementing the system, but is very dry if you are looking for a introduciton/inspiration to start this on your property.
28 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
corrina j ford
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recomendMay 10, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is truly one of the best purchases I have ever made. The book can read a bit dry and can resemble stereo instructions in some places however, the vast knowledge and experience shared in this book far outweigh any kibitzing I could possibly come up with. I would recommend this book to anyone and suggest taking a permaculture class for the discussion and practical application as well.
3 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
JimmyB
5.0 out of 5 starsPermaculture in its purest form.July 15, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Not much to add to this. If you're interested in Permaculture, this is the Genesis.
I like to balance the principles here with some other things as well. Couple this with Holistic Management, and Keyline Design, to form the perfect Trinity.
3 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Zing Nafzinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Techniques for living sustainably on the planetAugust 4, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I love this book. Clear. Informative. Not everyone is concerned about living sustainably on our planet, but if you are, the information and techniques in this book will keep you busy and feeling good about the difference you can make to your footprint on the planet, whether you have a tiny property or are responsible for many acres.
2 people found this helpful
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overall studio
5.0 out of 5 starsWork with creation, not against it!May 13, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book will transform our planet, one household at a time. Each time I read it, common sense and wisdom are presented. What is ancient becomes new again.
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I love this book. Clear. Informative. Not everyone is concerned about living sustainably on our planet, but if you are, the information and techniques in this book will keep you busy and feeling good about the difference you can make to your footprint on the planet, whether you have a tiny property or are responsible for many acres.
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
overall studio
5.0 out of 5 starsWork with creation, not against it!May 13, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book will transform our planet, one household at a time. Each time I read it, common sense and wisdom are presented. What is ancient becomes new again.
I bought this book because our land is sinking, cracking and the few edibles planted do not do well with the city of Houston's clorinated-flouridated-and-who-knows-what-else-is-in-there water. So until we move to more land, these practices will be learned while we are urbanites. We're in the process of planning some and taking action on others first by: installing rain water collection system, planting more fruit and nut trees with herbs and flowers, installing a whole house fan, making an outdoor second bathroom off grid for our everyday use (we're always home), amending our soil by adding sand and gypsum, and this is just the beginning.
What a wealth of information. I wanted to take a permaculture course, but began by ordering this book first to see if I'd like it. I love it!
6 people found this helpful
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Forest7
5.0 out of 5 starsThe beginning of Permaculture and the essential foundation.May 26, 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I can not add much to the earlier reviews of Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison, but I wanted to add another 5 star rating and a few comments.
Bill Mollison is the creator of Permaculture. He walked the walk before talking the talk. Read his autobiography and you can see that his life in Tasmania, using an open mind with his experiences, gave him the experience and insight to create this system.
There may have been parts of his system in other systems, but his integrated approach is workable in today's societies in many different areas from country property to a city back yard.
It gives insight to weather, forests, trees, water supplies, growing zones, passive heating, and so forth. The book gives a place, a location for insights learned in other gardening and regional permaculture books.
2 people found this helpful
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Lauretta Selby
5.0 out of 5 starsShould be in every Permies LibraryJuly 9, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Taking the REX course now(Regrarians Ltd) and really excited to use what I learned from this book. It is definitely a text book and something i have yet to finish but he is the founder of Permaculture and worth the purchase and the read!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer Rain
5.0 out of 5 starsPermaculture, the wave of the future!April 30, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is an excellent book for the facts and the philosophy of sustainable living and the development of a conscious lifestyle.
This is the second copy of this book that I have owned in the last 20 years, It is also the book that the permaculture course I am taking is based on.
This book is not an easy read, but it is dense with information, deep thought and practical applications.
Whether you are a city dweller or own your own place in the country there is much of value to recommend this book and the philosophy of Permaculture.
One person found this helpful
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Thomas Meli
5.0 out of 5 stars
6 people found this helpful
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Forest7
5.0 out of 5 starsThe beginning of Permaculture and the essential foundation.May 26, 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I can not add much to the earlier reviews of Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison, but I wanted to add another 5 star rating and a few comments.
Bill Mollison is the creator of Permaculture. He walked the walk before talking the talk. Read his autobiography and you can see that his life in Tasmania, using an open mind with his experiences, gave him the experience and insight to create this system.
There may have been parts of his system in other systems, but his integrated approach is workable in today's societies in many different areas from country property to a city back yard.
It gives insight to weather, forests, trees, water supplies, growing zones, passive heating, and so forth. The book gives a place, a location for insights learned in other gardening and regional permaculture books.
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Lauretta Selby
5.0 out of 5 starsShould be in every Permies LibraryJuly 9, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Taking the REX course now(Regrarians Ltd) and really excited to use what I learned from this book. It is definitely a text book and something i have yet to finish but he is the founder of Permaculture and worth the purchase and the read!
One person found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Amazon Customer Rain
5.0 out of 5 starsPermaculture, the wave of the future!April 30, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is an excellent book for the facts and the philosophy of sustainable living and the development of a conscious lifestyle.
This is the second copy of this book that I have owned in the last 20 years, It is also the book that the permaculture course I am taking is based on.
This book is not an easy read, but it is dense with information, deep thought and practical applications.
Whether you are a city dweller or own your own place in the country there is much of value to recommend this book and the philosophy of Permaculture.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Thomas Meli
5.0 out of 5 stars
May 8, 2007
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Bill Mollison represents the most successful attempt to mainstream practical home-scale sustainable design principles. I found myself needing to do an enormous amount of supplementary research to actually understand what bill was talking about, but to explain them in depth here would have taken away from the thrust of the book - which is mainly to show you example after example (many on every page) at sustainable principles of design put into practice.
The book remains the best book on sustainability written to date. There are some aspects of his system that are lacking that I will briefly draw attention to. Understand that I deeply appreciate his genius, but I want to just mention that these other things need to be integrated into his system to be fully fully sustainable.
-----------------
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Bill Mollison represents the most successful attempt to mainstream practical home-scale sustainable design principles. I found myself needing to do an enormous amount of supplementary research to actually understand what bill was talking about, but to explain them in depth here would have taken away from the thrust of the book - which is mainly to show you example after example (many on every page) at sustainable principles of design put into practice.
The book remains the best book on sustainability written to date. There are some aspects of his system that are lacking that I will briefly draw attention to. Understand that I deeply appreciate his genius, but I want to just mention that these other things need to be integrated into his system to be fully fully sustainable.
-----------------
1) He doesn't pay enough attention to seed saving and plant breeding. A loss of seed diversity and a re-invigoration of seed savers is essential to truly sustainable self-sufficient design.
See:
Seed to Seed - by Suzanne Ashworth and Kent Whealy
Breed your own Vegetable Varieties - by Carol Deppe
2) He very rarely mentions the role mushrooms and fungi can play in sustainability.
See:
Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets
3) He doesn't stress the science behind it enough, which is fine, but leaves you asking sometimes... how do we know this is really ecologically sound? How can I NOT imitate mr. mollison but still create an ecologically sound system? Basically, Mollison's proscriptions are incredibly scientifically informed but not always scientifically explicit.
See:
- Plant Ecophysiological Ecology
- New Dimensions in Agro-Ecology
- Smallholders, Householders: farm families and the ecology of intensive sustainable agriculture - by Rober Netting
4) In relation to the first point, he also doesn't stress the role that evolution plays in sustainability. This is a very complicated problem, see book.
See:
Evolutionary Conservation Biology.
These are not really criticism so much as signs of slight conceptual anal retentiveness on my part... Also please don't forget mollison's OTHER books which are incredible as well, especially the permaculture book of ferment and human nutrition.
138 people found this helpful
J.W.K
5.0 out of 5 stars
January 30, 2004
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If ecology was the primary intellectual response to the environmental and agricultural crises of the twentieth century, permaculture (or permanent agriculture) was its practical application. Born in the mid-seventies, permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison defines this new field as "the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
Without permaculture there is no possibility of a stable social order." In other words, permaculture is the practical science of sustainability - a whole-systems approach life in the biosphere - and this near-encyclopedic tome covers every aspect of the subject, from soil conditions to climactic factors.
The only conceivable drawback of this book is that it is rather difficult to ascertain and won't come cheap. If you enjoy tracking down rare and expensive books, there are none better than Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Large, comprehensive and filled with helpful illustrations and explanations, it is nothing less than the permaculture bible.
On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget, and do not wish to spend your time searching for an unworn copy, there are newer and more accessible titles on the subject: like the other permaculture co-founder
David Holmgren's Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, or the concise and slim
Earth User's Guide to Permaculture, by Rosemary Morrow.
Whatever book you choose, this fascinating subject is perhaps humanity's only hope for a sustainable (read livable) future. Should not be overlooked.
An essential reference.
j.w.k.
57 people found this helpful
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Ali
5.0 out of 5 starsGot it in honor of the passing of this great pioneer. If you read this bookOctober 6, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
RIP Bill. This has been on my wishlist forever. Got it in honor of the passing of this great pioneer. If you read this book, you'll probably know more than the person teaching your PDC. ;-)
One person found this helpful
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Rashomoan
5.0 out of 5 starsThe classicFebruary 28, 2008
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Mollison must be credited with promotion of the concept of Permaculture and this book is a world-wide view with enough examples to stimulate the thinking of a designer in any climate. It would be the bible for anyone working as an ecological designer on a worldwide scale. This tome includes not only a wealth of information but Mollison's personal views are given at every opportunity as well. With the breadth of his knowledge it can sometimes be helpful. That said, it is not an easy read. Mollison assumes familiarity with terminology from many disciplines, but with a scientific background it makes it all the more credible.
However, since its publication, there are other books for specific climate types that provide more detail. For those living in temperate climates, particularly the NE US, Dave Jacke/Eric Toensmeier's Edible Forest Gardens is more focused. If you live and plan to practice permaculture in only such climates, it should be sufficient. For the tropics, see [...] for a manual.
3 people found this helpful
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Joseph A. Grubb
5.0 out of 5 starsGo to for permaculture designMay 30, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is the only reference book needed to get your project designed for success. Great case studies noted for further research.
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Jill Whitmore
4.0 out of 5 starsAll the permaculture information I will ever need, I ...March 6, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
All the permaculture information I will ever need, I think! I was trying to replace a softback, smaller permaculture manual by Mollison which has strayed, and wasn't intending to buy something so massive and fairly expensive - but this volume will meet all foreseeable needs. I have one beef only (with the author/illustrator) - his work needed more careful proofing, it contains quite a lot of typos and spellos.
One person found this helpful
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Cody
5.0 out of 5 starsI thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to coverNovember 11, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I'm new to permaculture, but this book was a wealth of knowledge for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to cover.
Bill covers permaculture practices for working with everything from soil, water, wind, earthworks, trees, aquaculture and then goes on to describe practical applications of that knowledge within different climatic conditions. This book, in my opinion, gives the reader an excellent foundation on the topic of permaculture.
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Gary L Wade
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsMarch 14, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Wonderful source of information about permaculture from one of the pioneers.
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Lydse
5.0 out of 5 starsShe absolutely loved the book said it was the "Bible of Permaculture"January 3, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This was for my Mom and she loves gardening, food forests, etc. She absolutely loved the book said it was the "Bible of Permaculture"
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Tina Thomas
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Wisdom of a MasterDecember 1, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Hard to grasp without some training, but after taking Geoff Lawton's PDC, this book has become solid gold to me.l
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jessica
5.0 out of 5 starsBest book on permaculture ever!July 8, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Got this for my boyfriend as a gift and he loves it! He wanted it so bad and I ally has it and reads from it everyday! We love permaculture and are so thankful that we have this resource now to learn even more than we knew before :))
All reviewersAll starsAll formatsText, image, video
mathias hamlet
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a good lexikon and the explenations are technical and detailed and ...January 10, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a good lexikon and the explenations are technical and detailed and easy to understand, have not read all yet but this book with a couple of others on the subject of permaculture is a must. There are Another book that talks more about the climate in the northen hemisphere, dont remember the name, where this one talks over all the climate zones. And Bill Mollison is the starter of permaculture so its a no brainer.
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dw
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat manual for PermacultureApril 4, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I just love the book. It was in great condition & arrived what the delivery was suppose to happen. Thank you
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Nate
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Bible of PermacultureAugust 4, 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is an outstanding book written by one of the co-founders of permaculture. This book is comprehensive, includes both theoretical and practical aspects of permaculture, and well-written. This book is, however, very "deep" and slow to read (like reading a textbook). A must have for anyone interested in the subject.
2 people found this helpful
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Ron
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsApril 19, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Lots of information in it
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diligentzombiekiller
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential reference.
j.w.k.
57 people found this helpful
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Ali
5.0 out of 5 starsGot it in honor of the passing of this great pioneer. If you read this bookOctober 6, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
RIP Bill. This has been on my wishlist forever. Got it in honor of the passing of this great pioneer. If you read this book, you'll probably know more than the person teaching your PDC. ;-)
One person found this helpful
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Rashomoan
5.0 out of 5 starsThe classicFebruary 28, 2008
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Mollison must be credited with promotion of the concept of Permaculture and this book is a world-wide view with enough examples to stimulate the thinking of a designer in any climate. It would be the bible for anyone working as an ecological designer on a worldwide scale. This tome includes not only a wealth of information but Mollison's personal views are given at every opportunity as well. With the breadth of his knowledge it can sometimes be helpful. That said, it is not an easy read. Mollison assumes familiarity with terminology from many disciplines, but with a scientific background it makes it all the more credible.
However, since its publication, there are other books for specific climate types that provide more detail. For those living in temperate climates, particularly the NE US, Dave Jacke/Eric Toensmeier's Edible Forest Gardens is more focused. If you live and plan to practice permaculture in only such climates, it should be sufficient. For the tropics, see [...] for a manual.
3 people found this helpful
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Joseph A. Grubb
5.0 out of 5 starsGo to for permaculture designMay 30, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is the only reference book needed to get your project designed for success. Great case studies noted for further research.
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Jill Whitmore
4.0 out of 5 starsAll the permaculture information I will ever need, I ...March 6, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
All the permaculture information I will ever need, I think! I was trying to replace a softback, smaller permaculture manual by Mollison which has strayed, and wasn't intending to buy something so massive and fairly expensive - but this volume will meet all foreseeable needs. I have one beef only (with the author/illustrator) - his work needed more careful proofing, it contains quite a lot of typos and spellos.
One person found this helpful
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Cody
5.0 out of 5 starsI thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to coverNovember 11, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I'm new to permaculture, but this book was a wealth of knowledge for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to cover.
Bill covers permaculture practices for working with everything from soil, water, wind, earthworks, trees, aquaculture and then goes on to describe practical applications of that knowledge within different climatic conditions. This book, in my opinion, gives the reader an excellent foundation on the topic of permaculture.
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Gary L Wade
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsMarch 14, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Wonderful source of information about permaculture from one of the pioneers.
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Lydse
5.0 out of 5 starsShe absolutely loved the book said it was the "Bible of Permaculture"January 3, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This was for my Mom and she loves gardening, food forests, etc. She absolutely loved the book said it was the "Bible of Permaculture"
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Tina Thomas
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Wisdom of a MasterDecember 1, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Hard to grasp without some training, but after taking Geoff Lawton's PDC, this book has become solid gold to me.l
HelpfulComment Report abuse
jessica
5.0 out of 5 starsBest book on permaculture ever!July 8, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Got this for my boyfriend as a gift and he loves it! He wanted it so bad and I ally has it and reads from it everyday! We love permaculture and are so thankful that we have this resource now to learn even more than we knew before :))
All reviewersAll starsAll formatsText, image, video
mathias hamlet
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a good lexikon and the explenations are technical and detailed and ...January 10, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a good lexikon and the explenations are technical and detailed and easy to understand, have not read all yet but this book with a couple of others on the subject of permaculture is a must. There are Another book that talks more about the climate in the northen hemisphere, dont remember the name, where this one talks over all the climate zones. And Bill Mollison is the starter of permaculture so its a no brainer.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
dw
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat manual for PermacultureApril 4, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I just love the book. It was in great condition & arrived what the delivery was suppose to happen. Thank you
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Nate
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Bible of PermacultureAugust 4, 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is an outstanding book written by one of the co-founders of permaculture. This book is comprehensive, includes both theoretical and practical aspects of permaculture, and well-written. This book is, however, very "deep" and slow to read (like reading a textbook). A must have for anyone interested in the subject.
2 people found this helpful
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Ron
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsApril 19, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Lots of information in it
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diligentzombiekiller
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive guide on PERMACULTUREMarch 8, 2013
I've been tinkering with the idea of buying farm land and developing it sustainably and at a profit for the past few years and began studying the principles of permaculture two years ago to where I was at the point that I couldn't satiate my need for learning more about it, so I purchased this book. It was well worth the price tag and takes you through EVERYTHING (read Permaculture Institute & Tagari Publishing's review).
I've been tinkering with the idea of buying farm land and developing it sustainably and at a profit for the past few years and began studying the principles of permaculture two years ago to where I was at the point that I couldn't satiate my need for learning more about it, so I purchased this book. It was well worth the price tag and takes you through EVERYTHING (read Permaculture Institute & Tagari Publishing's review).
I have re-read the first several chapters many times and can't stop focusing on the guiding principles behind permaculture and the need to implement these simple systems in place. No more monocultures, no more pesticides, no more squandering resources, and this book outlines how to do just that and more.
It has been stressed in the works of Masanobu Fukuoka, Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan and every author of sustainable farming literature that an organic polyculture system yields more than any monoculture system especially in the instances of drought and disease.
It's common sense, especially for those like myself who want to develop land and make a profit doing it to implement at least some of the basic knowledge of polycultures as an insurance policy against drought or disease, but to also add to soil health and abundance and plentiful opportunities for the food web to grow and prosper with as few inputs as possible. I can't stress enough that this book outlines how to do this with as few inputs as possible, turning it into a zero input natural ecosystem. As much as it's about digging swales, using nurse plants to their full potential and building a living abundant ecosystem, it's about being responsible for the land you own and the food you grow, it provides a better blueprint for tomorrow. One man's weed is anothers pioneer plant building nutrient dense soil for Spring peas next season. If there is one thing I look forward to more than reading this book again, it's applying the knowledge in it.
3 people found this helpful
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C. Pilieri
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 people found this helpful
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C. Pilieri
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ground breakingFebruary 10, 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book is the future. Permaculture is the future by teaching us how to reclaim our past.
With all the issues in the world today, basic sustainability is the number one priority. How to grow food and work with nature not against it. It is a truly great book and movement. It is not the easiest reading but all worthwhile.
One person found this helpful
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Dorey E. Evans
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommend itFebruary 14, 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If you are going to survive this economy, you better learn how to garden. Between this book and "Gardening When It Counts", I have become a pretty good gardener. No frills and no pricey equipment, but a highly productive garden. Yum.
One person found this helpful
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veteran
5.0 out of 5 starsif you care about planet earthNovember 3, 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
this is a great book about permaculture with pictures, designs and additional information for the interested conservator of the earth. everyone interested in ecology on any level should read this book. should be in every library in the world.
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GENE GERUE
5.0 out of 5 starsGetting it all togetherFebruary 10, 2000
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Bill Mollison is an ecologist of the first rank. In 1981 he received the Right Livelihood Award--the Alternative Nobel Prize--for his work in environmental design. He and David Holmgren coined the word permaculture; Mollison has devoted his life to teaching the concept. Permaculture is humans working with, not against, nature. It's about causing land, water, plants and animals to synergistically cause multiple benefits and to improve an ecosystem simultaneously. It maximizes functional connections so that the many parts become a whole. To create permaculture design is to make the strongest possible statement of our eco-values, a resounding vote against current agribusiness practices. I have four of Mollison's books--this one has it all plus 129 color photos and a gazillion drawings by Andrew Jeeves. Here is complete knowledge to create your personal permaculture, a place to work and live in harmony with nature, a place that will nuture your body and your soul.
134 people found this helpful
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Jerome Mcintire
5.0 out of 5 starsReview from a PDC gradOctober 9, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is it, the most complete textbook of permaculture. A book to learn from over decades, a great guide to observing and learning from nature.
---------------
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book is the future. Permaculture is the future by teaching us how to reclaim our past.
With all the issues in the world today, basic sustainability is the number one priority. How to grow food and work with nature not against it. It is a truly great book and movement. It is not the easiest reading but all worthwhile.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Dorey E. Evans
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommend itFebruary 14, 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If you are going to survive this economy, you better learn how to garden. Between this book and "Gardening When It Counts", I have become a pretty good gardener. No frills and no pricey equipment, but a highly productive garden. Yum.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
veteran
5.0 out of 5 starsif you care about planet earthNovember 3, 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
this is a great book about permaculture with pictures, designs and additional information for the interested conservator of the earth. everyone interested in ecology on any level should read this book. should be in every library in the world.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
GENE GERUE
5.0 out of 5 starsGetting it all togetherFebruary 10, 2000
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Bill Mollison is an ecologist of the first rank. In 1981 he received the Right Livelihood Award--the Alternative Nobel Prize--for his work in environmental design. He and David Holmgren coined the word permaculture; Mollison has devoted his life to teaching the concept. Permaculture is humans working with, not against, nature. It's about causing land, water, plants and animals to synergistically cause multiple benefits and to improve an ecosystem simultaneously. It maximizes functional connections so that the many parts become a whole. To create permaculture design is to make the strongest possible statement of our eco-values, a resounding vote against current agribusiness practices. I have four of Mollison's books--this one has it all plus 129 color photos and a gazillion drawings by Andrew Jeeves. Here is complete knowledge to create your personal permaculture, a place to work and live in harmony with nature, a place that will nuture your body and your soul.
134 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Jerome Mcintire
5.0 out of 5 starsReview from a PDC gradOctober 9, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is it, the most complete textbook of permaculture. A book to learn from over decades, a great guide to observing and learning from nature.
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Sustainable Agriculture Resistance ㅁ$20 AbeBooks
Sustainable Agriculture Resistance by Fernando Funes, Softcover - AbeBooks
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Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance: Transforming Food Production in Cuba
Published by Food First Books (2002)
ISBN 10: 0935028870 ISBN 13: 9780935028874
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Softcover
Quantity Available: 1
From: MusicMagpie (Stockport, United Kingdom)
About this Item: Food First Books, 2002. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # U9780935028874
Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance : A$28.67 Includes delivery
Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance : Fernando Funes (editor), : 9780935028874 : Blackwell's
Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance Transforming Food Production in Cuba
Fernando Funes (editor), Luis Garcia (editor),Martin Bourque (editor)
Paperback (15 Jan 2002) | English
A$28.67 Includes delivery to Australia
1 copy available online - Usually dispatched within 48 hours
文明は農業で動く | 吉田太郎 |本 | 通販 | Amazon
文明は農業で動く | 吉田太郎 |本 | 通販 | Amazon
商品の説明
内容紹介
メソポタミア文明が塩害で滅び、古代ギリシアが土壌浸食で衰退したように、
文明の中心地は農法によって動く。
化学肥料と農薬に依存する農法がなければ世界の食料自給率は35％だ。
石油枯渇とともに人類飢餓は避けられない。
だが、アステカ、インカ、スリランカと世界各地の古代文明が多くの人々を養えたのはなぜなのか。
複雑系の科学は、生態系に適応した古代農法が、近代農業以上に洗練され生産性も高かったことを解き明かす。
そして、いまその復活が辺境の地から始まっている。
それは、未来の文明存続と食料確保への大きな鍵となることだろう。
内容（「BOOK」データベースより）
機械、化学肥料や農薬、高収量品種がなかった時代、文明の礎となる膨大な余剰食料生産はなぜ可能だったのか。現在は辺境に埋もれている古代文明を支えた農法を発掘し、その謎を解いていくと、世界の食料生産の未来が見えてくる。商品の説明をすべて表示する
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登録情報
単行本（ソフトカバー）: 304ページ
出版社: 築地書館 (2011/4/9)
言語: 日本語
ISBN-10: 4806714208
ISBN-13: 978-4806714200
発売日： 2011/4/9
梱包サイズ: 18.8 x 13 x 2.6 cm
おすすめ度： 5つ星のうち 5.0 1 件のカスタマーレビュー
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トップレビュー
naichi
5つ星のうち5.0優雅なる没落2011年5月16日
形式: 単行本（ソフトカバー）
食の安全を巡るニュースが、巷を賑わせている。それもそのはず、いかなる文明であれ、その基礎には農業がある。生産性の高い農業なくして、大量の人口は養えないのである。ところでその農業、昨今の実態は「石油で動く工業」であるとまで言われている。化学肥料も農薬も原料は石油、収穫作業のコンバインも、収穫後の機会乾燥も石油で動く。このまま進むと2012年を境に石油生産はピークに達し、その先は近代農業を維持するだけの余地は残されていないという説もあるそうだ。
歴史的に石油遮断を経験した主な国は、三つである。ソ連の崩壊で輸入石油が途絶し、国民の餓死にまで及んだ北朝鮮。ほかならぬ太平洋戦争時の大日本帝国。そしてカリブ海に浮かぶキューバである。この中でキューバだけが、社会的連帯と伝統知識の保全により、危機を乗り切ることができた。これはピークオイル以降の世界では、開発途上国の方が有利になる可能性が高いということを意味している。そこで今、世界の目は辺境と古代の農法に注がれはじめているという。スムーズな没落へのヒントは、過去に眠っているのだ。
◆本書の目次
プロローグ 辺境農業探索へのいざない
'１ バック・トゥ・ザ・フューチャー
'２ 未来への遺産 − マヤ、アステカ、アマゾン、インカ
'３ 曼荼羅というコスモロジー インド・スリランカ
'４ 太古からのイノベーター
エピローグ 行く川の流れは絶えずして
地球最大の肺と言われるアマゾンの熱帯雨林。ここに奇跡の土と言われるテラ・プラタという土がある。先住民によって継承されてきたこの土は、驚くほど豊かで肥沃さを保ち、農業に不向きなはずの熱帯でも豊かな収穫を保証する。その鍵は、植物や有機廃物を低温で不完全燃焼させた炭や木片にある。微生物の数や種類が他の土よりはるかに多く、収量を驚くほど増やすことが出来るそうだ。
このような例は、スリランカにも見られる。スリランカのケクラマ農法と呼ばれる伝統農法は雑草を残すことがポイントである。これにより洪水のダメージに強くなるほか、多様な動物や昆虫からなる生態系のバランスも蘇らすことができるという。興味深いのは、この知識の継承を、仏教の「慈愛」と結び付けることで行ってきたということなのだ。
バリの農村におけるコミュニティ間の調整方法も面白い。バリでは水田や灌漑用水のいたるとこに「水の寺院」と呼ばれる宗教的機能が設置され、僧侶たちが話し合いながら作付時期を調整してきた。これによって水の配分を最適化し、害虫発生も抑えることができたという。これをモデル化し、プログラムでシミュレーションしたところ、自分達の隣とその隣まで関心を払うように条件設定すると、最高収量がもたらされる結果が出たそうである。まさに、アダム・スミスの「神の見えざる手」だ。しかし、この設定をグローバルな視野を持ち行動するように変更すると、カオス状態になって崩壊してしまったそうである。この結果もまた、意味深である。
著者のスタンスは、単純に過去を礼賛しているというわけではない。伝統知識もまた、インベーションや、アントレプレナ精神によって改善が積み重ねられたものである。しかし、近代農業との一番の違いは「生産性」と「安定性」を天秤にかけたときに、安定性や持続性が重視されるというところにあるのだ。
このあたり、農業だけに閉じた話とは、とても思えない。自分の身の回り一つとっても、本当にクラウド一直線で良いのだろうかなど、考えさせられる点が多い。いずれにしても、今年の夏は暑そうだ。
もっと少なく読む
4人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています
---------------
文明は農業で動く(歴史を変える古代農法の謎)吉田太郎著・・・より
2013-05-08 21:57:01 | 日記
ミシュテイカは「雲の人々の地」という意味を持ち、古代メキシコ文明が反映していた土地である。だが、、今は世界でも最も土壌侵食が深刻で、土地の83％がすでも農業が出来ないほど疲弊している。
「メキシコの多くの農村は、木材や薪、水資源が欠乏しています。私の生まれ育った土地も創で、私の家族や村人の多くはあらゆる苦難を経験してきました。中でも農村住民を一番苦しめていたのは、土地浸食で土地が不毛化していたことなのです。そこで、1950年代から近代農業化に向けた動きが始まったのです」
政府は、化学肥料や農薬によるトウモロコシのモノカルチャーを推進してきた。だが、それがもたらしたのは、惨憺たる結果だった。推奨される高収量品種を栽培してはみたものの、地元の風土条件に適さないために収量が落ち、化学肥料や農薬大は跳ね上がり収入は激減した。化学肥料の過剰施肥で土壌は酸性化し地下水が汚染されれば、農薬散布で魚や川エビ等の食料昆虫も消えていく。
更に1994年に北米自由貿易協定（NAFTA）が実施されると、国境関税がなくなり、米国の補助金つき輸出農産物の大攻勢で国産の半値のトウモロコシがなだれ込む。トウモロコシ価格は、４５％も下落して生産コストを割り込む。政府からの補助金がカットされ、農民達は、化学肥料や農薬はおろか、種子を買う資金すら失う。
残されたのは荒地だけだった。
メキシコといえば、緑の革命の発祥の地である。近代農業は成果を上げたのではなかったのか。
「以前は政府はよく支援してくれたものでした。今は州政府も連邦政府も何もしてくれません。それがグローバリゼーションがもたらした結果なのです。緑の革命もグローバリゼーションの一部です。誰がその技術を作っているのでしょう、多国籍企業です。モンサント、バイエル、ノバルティス・・連中はいたるところにいます。初めは情報がありませんでしたから、技術を取り入れました。ですが、今となっては、多国籍企業の製品で農村は救われるどころか、私らの土地、私らの家族は台無しにされたのです」
原産地であるにもかかわらず、トウモロコシも自給できない。輸入量が12倍となり、25%以上が外国さんとなり、栄養的にもバランスが取れていた豊かな伝統食は、米国からの輸入トウモロコシはジャンクフードに変わった。そして、米国は、モンサント社の遺伝子組み換えトウモロコシを用いるよう政府に圧力を掛け、トウモロコシの在来品種を汚染していく。
ずっとずっと以前のメキシコの実情でした・・・・２０１３年の日本の実情はどうでしょうか？トウモロコシは主食ではない日本ですが大半が米国からの輸入です。更に日本の在来種はもうほどんとありません・・・種は全てがF1種です・・・二度と復活しないでしょうね。
NAFTAではないですが、TPPが舞っています・・・10年後の日本はいったいどんなものを食べて過ごすのでしょうか？ それは目の前に来ています。まだ我々現存し、子供達は遺伝子組み換え食品を食べさせられて、また、ポストで完全味付けされたポストハーベストで味付けされた米や小麦や豆を毎日食べることになるのでしょうね。
それを選ぶのは我々です、貴方・貴女達です・・・何とかなりませんかね・・何とかしませんかね・・何とかしましょうよ。 未来の日本人のために！貴女の子孫達です。
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あき
古代農法とか伝統農法とか呼ばれる、石油に依存する近代農業以前の農法に焦点を当てて解説している本ではあるが、図面が乏しく文章だけで説明しているのが大半のため、いまいちビジュアル的に理解しづらい。 古代農法の意共通しているのは、リスク回避指向で収穫の安定性を重視。近代の生産性重視とは違うというところは理解した。
ナイスコメント(0)2015/09/23
土岐晴嵐
古代文明と違い、現在は石油が無ければ私たちが食べる量の食糧を作れなくなっているという事、これから先世界人口が増えていった場合の食糧を考えると未来について考えさせられた。
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15 신석호]쿠바는 북한의 미래가 될 수 있을까 : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴
[특파원 칼럼/신석호]쿠바는 북한의 미래가 될 수 있을까 : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴
신석호]쿠바는 북한의 미래가 될 수 있을까
신석호 특파원 |입력 2015-02-02 03:00:00
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신석호 워싱턴 특파원
2005년 초 한국 북한학계에는 쿠바 공부 바람이 불었다. 이미 10여 년 앞선 1990년대 초 과감한 개혁 개방을 통해 경제위기를 극복한 쿠바를 보면 북한의 미래가 보인다는 가설이 설득력을 얻었던 때다.
그 유행을 따라 2007년 11월 처음 방문했던 쿠바의 거리 곳곳에서는 정말 북한의 현재와 미래가 보이는 듯했다. 쿠바가 여러 면에서 앞서가고는 있었지만 두 나라 모두 사회주의 계획경제에 시장 메커니즘을 도입하는 ‘이행기 사회주의’였고 계획과 시장이 공존하는 ‘혼합경제 체제’였다. 10년 늦기는 했지만 북한이 곧 따라갈 수 있겠거니 싶었다.
돌아와 완성한 논문과 기사에 북한과 쿠바가 ‘계획에서 시장으로 가는 제3의 길’ 위에 있다는 주제를 담았다. 1990년대 초 냉전 종식과 함께 급격히 체제 전환을 해 버린 옛 소련 등 동유럽 사회주의 국가들이 제1의 길이요, 그전부터 정치적으로는 공산당 1당 독재를 유지하면서 시장경제로 전환한 중국과 베트남이 제2의 길이라면 북한과 쿠바는 이와는 다른 제3의 길을 걸으려고 하는 것 같았다.
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그 유행을 따라 2007년 11월 처음 방문했던 쿠바의 거리 곳곳에서는 정말 북한의 현재와 미래가 보이는 듯했다. 쿠바가 여러 면에서 앞서가고는 있었지만 두 나라 모두 사회주의 계획경제에 시장 메커니즘을 도입하는 ‘이행기 사회주의’였고 계획과 시장이 공존하는 ‘혼합경제 체제’였다. 10년 늦기는 했지만 북한이 곧 따라갈 수 있겠거니 싶었다.
돌아와 완성한 논문과 기사에 북한과 쿠바가 ‘계획에서 시장으로 가는 제3의 길’ 위에 있다는 주제를 담았다. 1990년대 초 냉전 종식과 함께 급격히 체제 전환을 해 버린 옛 소련 등 동유럽 사회주의 국가들이 제1의 길이요, 그전부터 정치적으로는 공산당 1당 독재를 유지하면서 시장경제로 전환한 중국과 베트남이 제2의 길이라면 북한과 쿠바는 이와는 다른 제3의 길을 걸으려고 하는 것 같았다.
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북한과 쿠바를 한 묶음으로 보려는 기자에게 당시 만난 한 쿠바인은 “어떻게 그런 이상한 나라와 우리를 비교할 수 있느냐. 자존심이 상한다”고까지 했다. ‘도토리 키 재기’ 같다는 생각에 속으로 웃음이 났던 기억이 생생하다. 그로부터 7년 2개월 만인 지난달 14∼17일 미국과의 국교 정상화에 들뜬 현지 분위기를 취재하기 위해 쿠바를 두 번째 방문하고 나서는 북한과 동일시되는 자신들에 대해 마음 상해 있던 쿠바인들의 정서가 이해됐다. 엄연한 사회주의 나라로 자유민주주의 시장경제 체제를 기준으로 하면 아직 갈 길이 멀었지만 북한과는 비교할 수 없을 정도로 훨씬 더 앞서가는 모습이다.
특히 자영업을 중심으로 한 민간경제 부문은 여느 자본주의 개발도상국가 못지않게 활성화된 상태였다. 거리에는 자영업 택시들이 넘쳐 났고 외국인을 상대로 한 민박집과 식당 등은 종업원을 마음대로 고용해 영업할 수 있었다. 집과 자동차도 공식적으로 사고팔 수 있다. 7년 전에는 볼 수 없던 변화다.
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변화의 핵심에는 실용주의 리더십이 있었다. 2008년 2월 형 피델 카스트로에게서 공식적인 최고지도자 자리를 넘겨받은 라울 카스트로 국가평의회 의장은 특유의 실용주의적 사고를 정책에 반영했다. 2011년 제6차 공산당대회에서는 비효율적인 국가경제 부문 개혁과 공무원 100만 명 퇴출 방침을 선언했다.
비슷한 시기에 권력 승계를 했던 북한은 오히려 뒷걸음질을 쳤다. 김정일은 생전인 2009년 11월 화폐개혁을 단행해 시장을 때려잡으려 했다. 후계자 김정은은 부지런히 시장을 만들고 주민 경제와 국가에 도움이 될 사회 인프라를 확장하는 대신에 자신과 최측근 엘리트들만 즐길 수 있는 호화 놀이터와 스키장, 음식점 등을 만드는 데 외화를 낭비하고 있다. 북한에서도 자영업과 시장 거래가 이뤄지고 있지만 정부의 방임 아래 비공식적으로 이뤄지는 불법 행위로 언제든지 국가의 철퇴를 맞을 수 있다. 쿠바에서는 정부가 제도적으로 영업을 보장한다. 북한 자영업자들은 돈을 벌어 권력자들에게 ‘뒤를 잘 봐 달라’고 뇌물을 바치지만 쿠바 자영업자들은 당당하게 국가와 국민을 위해 세금을 낸다.
미국과의 국교 정상화 합의로 쿠바는 북한보다 한 차원 더 앞서가게 됐다. 미국이 내민 손을 잡을 수 있었던 자신감은 20여 년 개혁 개방 성과에서 나온 것이란 생각이 들었다. 개혁 개방을 외면하고 핵·미사일 프로그램을 고집하는 북한. 아바나를 떠날 때 ‘쿠바까지 변하고 있는데 북한은 과연 어느 길을 갈 것인가’ 하는 묵직한 물음이 밀려왔다.
신석호 워싱턴 특파원 kyle@donga.com
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