The Rural Voice, 1993-01, Page 46PERTH
John Drummond, President, R.R. 5, Mitchell NOK 1NO 347-2725
PCFA Office 229-6430
The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA.
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Green revolution, the sequel
According to geographers,
scientists, and statisticians, the
earth's population will, in all
probability, double within the next 40
years. Asian countries, India, and
Pakistan are expected to contribute
most heavily to the surge in numbers.
Roughly speaking, this will translate
into a need for twice the food
currently produced on an annual
basis. Difficulties surrounding
equitable food distribution, and war -
induced poverty will continue to be
major barriers to adequate nutrition
world-wide. Improvements in crop
storage and rodent control, (some
countries lose nearly 1/3 of their
harvest to rats) may help to off -set
reductions in apparently non -
sustainable food sources such as
ocean fish.
Historically, farmers have risen to
the demand for more food through
innovation, the adoption of the latest
technology, and a tough, competitive
spirit. We now also have the clarity
of hindsight to see what went wrong
with the "Green Revolution" earlier
in the century. While food
production increased dramatically,
there were some very big costs in
terms of environmental degradation.
Sequels are rarely exciting, but in
agriculture, we are on the verge of a
second green revolution, one of much
greater magnitude than the first; one
in which the increase in food
production must not come at the
expense of the environment.
Ontario's farmers adopt new
technologies as quickly as economics
permit, and produce food of
unexcelled quality. The development
of individual environmental farm
plans over the next few years will be
an important step towards
environmental sustainability and
production efficiency.
Careful farming practices which
conserve and build up topsoil will be
of utmost importance, as will our
efficiency of water management
(stewardship). Phenomenal strides m
plant and animal breeding will also
enable production to keep pace with
demand. The growth industry of
biotechnology will be front and
centre in the next decades. Look for
highly efficient slow-release
fertilizers, drought (and wet) tolerant
plant varieties, plants which resist
insect damage etc. We must proceed
with caution, but the potential is
great. The overall demand for food
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS WHO
SHOULD YOU CONTACT?
President John Drummond, RR #5, Mitchell NOK 1 NO 347-2725
1st Vice Larry Biesinger, RR #4, Listowel N4W 3G9 698-2937
2nd Vice Mary McIntosh, RR #7, St. Marys N4X 1 C9 393-6232
Sec-Treas Agnes Denham, RR #1, St. Marys N4X 1C4 229-6430
Regional Directors
Perth North Paul Verkley, RR #1, Atwood NOG 160 356-9022
Perth Central Kelli Crowley, RR #2, Gadshill NOK 1J0 393-5716
Perth South Mary McIntosh, RR #7, St. Marys N4X 1C9 393-6232
Other Members of the Executive
Willy Keller, RR #1, Mitchell NOK 1 NO 348-9753
Sharon Weitel, RR #2, Tavistock NOB 2R0 273-0918
42 THE RURAL VOICE
can be met with little change in
cultivated acreage. The opportunity
and challenge, is to maintain, and
even increase the area of forest and
wetland. This is the essence of the
New Green Revolution — to meet the
increased demand for food with a
truly sustainable approach to
environment and economics. The
task is daunting; without question,
Ontario farmers are up to it.0
John Drummond
President PCFA
KUDOS
The December issue of Farm &
Country newspaper, an affiliate of
OFA, was printed with 100 per cent
soy ink. The paper can now be safely
shredded and used for livestock
bedding or weed -suppressing, mois-
ture -conserving mulch. Newspaper
printed with petroleum-based ink is
unacceptable for obvious environ-
mental reasons. Congratulations
Farm & Country! Now it is time to
pressure all newspapers to follow
suit.0
THANK YOU
To Sponsors of our Annual Meet-
ing: Chelton Ag. Centre, Mitchell;
Hoegy's Farm Supply, Brodhagen;
Mitchell Co-operative Association;
Burchill Truck & Trailer Equipment,
Mitchell; Milverton Farm Supplies;
Nutrite Plant Food, Elmira;
Blanshard Mutual Insurance Co., St.
Marys; Ontario Federation of
Agriculture.0
PERTH COUNTY
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
JANUARY
MEETING
Thursday January 28, 1993
Downie Mutual Fire Insurance
Office, Sebringville
1:00 p.m.
All members welcome to
attend