3 Comments

Very real challenge indeed. There is some promising research and several years of experience around using biological alternatives to fertilizers and pesticides that FAO and partners have developed, based on work in East Africa. Which may be an opportunity to turn a crisis into a sustainable future, as biological alternatives have very positive impact on the regeneration of soil, water runoff etc. and it seems can even yield similar results. For more check:

https://www.agroecology-pool.org/agroecology-dialogue-series/

https://www.agroecology-pool.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Input_Scarcity_Backgroud_paper_Final.pdf

Expand full comment

So frustrating to see global energy price spikes and other issues making life harder for farmers in Malawi and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Expand full comment

Wasn't that Holland that had all the farmer strikes for not being able to use nitrogen fertilizer? People were fooled on that and supported the farmers. But nitrous oxide is the most powerful greenhouse gas and I believe that's why the government there was outlawing it.

Appears a move to natural fertilization is worth the effort, though it seems there's a flaw in everything when it comes to life for humans, at least on this planet.

Expand full comment