More avenues for boosting agricultural productivity than just biotechnology

摘要

The Economist's survey on 'Agriculture and Technology' (25 March 2000) portrays a dismal future for agricultural sustainability in developing countries. Faced with soil degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss, the survey points to biotechnology as the embattled savior. As an after-thought, it notes that agro-ecology, offers a folksy approach 'going back to the traditions of half a century ago' that' is hard to put into practice' and would confront consumers with higher prices.