
Good Evening, God
So here is a key question: if natural farming is sensible and cheaper and easier — why is it not taking over the world? I have four reasons that seem key to me”
- MONEY: A switch to Natural Agriculture would mean an immediate economic hit — 10% drop in output for the first year or more. Masanobu Fukuoka said that his land has been getting more fertile every year for over 25 years. Nature does know how to heal and revitalize if we get out of the way. But it would seem to take economic help to begin the transition. And since “everyone” believes that we “need” chemical fertilizer and herbicides and insecticides how would you persuade a bank to give you a loan? Is there a handy billionaire that would like to take this on? Or lots of little folks in a “Go Fund Me?”
2. Know How: Industrial agriculture pumps out endless videos on superior seeds and poisons. They have salesmen making the rounds— how to “salesmen” plus videos. Masanobu Fukuoka is very clear. Nature/reality is very complex. Each plot of ground, each season…different. So it takes watching and learning and that takes enormous reserves of courage and energy.
3. Picky consumers! Unnatural and artificial look “pretty”. Consumers want bright colored fruit that is a pleasant shape. We want it picked early and gassed to give it a bright color and to make it shippable. We want it to look Perfect! Surely, no signs that a bug might have taken a bite.
4. Failure to Understand: We fail to understand the power in natural farming. Soil that has regained its health absorbs more water . . . permits water to drain into the ground and retains water for plant growth. Healthy soil absorbs carbon. It takes carbon out of the air and uses it. When I think of the miles and miles of almost dead soil — soil that could be revitalized and helping to combat global warming — I weep.
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