Without a doubt, farmers are heralded to be the main reasons as to why the entire population in the country is being fed on a daily basis. They have done a wonderful job in making sure that the massive quantity of people in every area gets the required nutrition that each and everyone deserve. Vegetables, animal, and poultry products are at their best provided that the agricultural land are properly cultivated, the weather is fine, irrigation is available, and the right pieces of equipment are being utilized. Talk about modern agriculture that has paved way to more farming produce.
However, the economic downturn has created a fearful scenario to all and sundry. Gone were the days when people can simply live by means of waiting for the right time to harvest their crops or gather whatever products that Mother Nature has to offer. Today’s economic trials have made nutrition for the families seem a distant dream. Yes, the family’s budget plays a major role when it comes to meeting the nutritional needs and with the unavailability of funds, eating the proper kind of food is somehow sacrificed.
Modern agriculture is of course an advantageous pursuit. Countries that make use of the technological advances and modern equipment have an edge over those who rely on the conventional land cultivation methods. But, on the other hand, this modernity also has a downside.
A study in South Carolina in the years 1996 to 1997 made use of varieties of broccoli because of its high yields. Now, the commonly known as selective genetic breeding was applied on it but then proved the loss of amino acids, protein, and six other essential minerals. This in turn paved the way for the findings that improving the size of the farm products is not in any way an assurance that the nutritive value is also heightened but more often than not dilutes much of the mineral concentrations. As a result, the food source turned nutritionally empty.
The modern times have consequently introduced innovations on a large scale. Among of which are the agricultural pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and not to mention the hasty harvesting techniques that are said to speed up the entire process. In case of early plant food harvests, the product then spends less time in taking up the minerals derived from the soil. Take note that these minerals are very much essential in the plant foods’ synthesis process.
The current farming practices have been considered to drive the over usage of the soil and of course mineral depletion. People need not just food but healthy foods. But before anyone can eat a healthy product, the plant food source should be first made to be abundant and pass through the natural process so they can qualify as good for the health.
Realistically, modern agriculture has its downsides. Yes, they may make farm work a lot faster and easier but in turn, the foods’ nutritive values are sacrificed. So, which one would you prefer? The conventional practice or the modern age method?