From Science to Farming and to Food Security

From time to time we all come across great comments that strike a chord with our personal feelings on particular subjects of interest. One such comment that recently caught my attention stated … “A person may need a doctor, lawyer, architect, and so many other professionals a few times in one’s life, but everyone needs a farmer at least three times a day.”

One could probably argue the details of this statement, as most things seem to be debatable these days. But these facts remain: 1) human-kind does best when it can eat a nutritious meal at least three times a day, 2) the great majority of people are not able to produce their own food, and 3) someone else needs to do it for them. Different people would have different views and many seem to blame farming in so many ways, but I see the realities above as absolutely logical.

It is not wise, in our time of growing technology and knowledge, to ignore the advice of specialists when seeking a better quality of life. Farmers are our food production specialists that, with the right practices supported by science, put food on our tables and keep so many regions food secure. In the face of criticism, let’s give credit to farmers and their mission that is presently supporting over 7 billion people. If this is not a great mission I am not sure what it is!

Luís I. Prochnow
Director, IPNI Brazil Program