Vandana Shiva - the Myth of Monoculture

The Myth of Monoculture is that it is an efficient farming method. Ecological systems, however, have far better productivity and suit our nutritional needs.

 

Vandana Shiva puts into simple language, the results of many years of science. Formerly a particle physicist, Dr Shiva explains the ecological and scientific principles which make it obvious why we cannot carry on thinking in monoculture. 

Interviewed at a Slow Food conference, Vandana pointed out several clear reasons why the recent drive for GM crops to 'feed the world' simply misses the point. Ecological thinking is required to move on in a sustainable manner in order to feed the world, not continued industrialisation.

"Dr Shiva hits the nail on the head. When you look at the science it is obvious why so many experts tell us that farming has to change," says Jason Ball, our farm's Manager for Biodiversity and Alternative Energy.

"Ecology - the science of ecosystems and the interactions between living things and with their environment - shows that complex, mutli-layered systems are more productive than simple systems."

Dr Shiva states that polycultures, with mixed food types, are healthier, and have many times more potential to produce food than monoculture crops.

See also:

• UN promotes Organic to feed world's poorest
• Organic can feed the world
• Feeding the world - is GM fit for purpose?