The Burdens of Agriculture

It’s a race to see who will come up with “The Answer” to the problem of our pesky farmers and how they are destroying the planet… I am not the only one who sees a different perspective.
 
For now though it may be starting to become apparent that an orchestrated and well meaning campaign is underway to nudge us all in the direction away from agricultural practices as we know it. As we move increasingly towards a technological age – the 4th industrial revolution it brings to mind the challenges that must have been faced by pastoral farmers who were “encouraged” to accept the mechanisation of the Industrial Revolution. We are where we are.
 
The narrative though is such that a psychological nudge is deliberately used to create a scenario of farmers effectively giving up their right to farm and perhaps relieved to do so. (Mass evictions are not so trendy these days). The nudge factor is effective instead. Slower, but insidious and ongoing. Let me give you an example. Here is a phrase from a company website for a product called solein.
 
It’s time to enter the era of sustainable food production to liberate our planet from the burdens of agriculture.
 
The burdens of agriculture?! Liberate?! I imagine the person ( or AI bot) that came up with that is a bit removed from the land.
 
Solein is a protein made from thin air they say… what’s not to like. This is factory farming at its best. Alternative protein sources shunting out the need to farm animals like beef and chicken.
 
Add this strategy to a public health measure where animals are culled ( avian flu, foot & mouth)
 
Demonise farmers for being cruel with select investigative journalism. Amplify the story with social media. Reinforce with the bureaucratic research and legislation and voila…
 
Lets eat more Ultra Processed Food and feel great to save the planet…etc etc
 
Life is never so simple. The process of bringing real food to the table is a spiritual transformation that science cannot replicate in my opinion. The connection to the land is part of our health journey. Protect them and nurture them. Don’t demonise them and erode their spirit to continue. They are our connection to this earth and ground us in ways we will never understand.
 
A packet of protein powder made from thin air just doesn’t have the same power.  

Anne Maher