Plant Species Dwindling
Over the millennia, humans have relied on more than 10,000 different
plant species for food. Today, we have barely 150 species under
cultivation -- and of those only 12 species provide 80 percent of all of our food needs. Four of those -- rice, wheat, maize and potatoes --
provide more than half of our energy requirements.
As global markets have grown and seed production and agriculture become
more commercialized, the old system of farmers saving their own seeds -
and by doing so a myriad of different crops, often closely adapted to
local conditions - has almost disappeared.
As a result variety is dwindling towards a vanishing point. China has
lost 90 percent of the wheat varieties it had just 60 years ago. In the
United States more than 90 percent of fruit tree and vegetable varieties found in farmers' fields at the beginning of the twentieth century are no longer there. Mexico has lost 80 percent of its corn varieties. India has lost 90 percent of its rice varieties.
--
Will Pearson
Underwriting Sales Associate
Vermont Public Radio
www.vpr.net
plant species for food. Today, we have barely 150 species under
cultivation -- and of those only 12 species provide 80 percent of all of our food needs. Four of those -- rice, wheat, maize and potatoes --
provide more than half of our energy requirements.
As global markets have grown and seed production and agriculture become
more commercialized, the old system of farmers saving their own seeds -
and by doing so a myriad of different crops, often closely adapted to
local conditions - has almost disappeared.
As a result variety is dwindling towards a vanishing point. China has
lost 90 percent of the wheat varieties it had just 60 years ago. In the
United States more than 90 percent of fruit tree and vegetable varieties found in farmers' fields at the beginning of the twentieth century are no longer there. Mexico has lost 80 percent of its corn varieties. India has lost 90 percent of its rice varieties.
--
Will Pearson
Underwriting Sales Associate
Vermont Public Radio
www.vpr.net