As last year came to a close, Oxfam International held a series of online blog discussions on the Future of Agriculture. Over the course of two weeks, professionals from the agricultural development field wrote and commented on various topics from policy to production to indigenous knowledge.
The culminating piece, by Roger Thurow of the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs, discussed “leveling the plowing field” in agricultural systems. Choice was the key word throughout the piece, getting at what is often at the heart of discussion of landscapes – diversity and context-specific solutions. Moreover, part of this choice is breaking down barriers between sectors and communities of practice involved in agriculture. According to Thurow, “Silos for food storage are wonderful for promoting choice: sell now or hold for later? But silos in the other definition of the word—narrow, blinkered, selfish thinking—obscure choice.” The aim of a level plowing field is to make that element of choice available to all farmers, to realize the most equitable, efficient, and sustainable agricultural system.
Read the full article, associated comments, and the other blog entries online.
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