Can Diversification Save Species?

Let’s time travel back to the year 1845 and ask the Irish, where unintentionally, the largest experiment in monoculture was conducted. It took only a few days for the spores of Phytophthora infestans, to decimate an entire crop of potatoes, including those in storage. It was not felt so dramatically in the rest of Europe due to the variety of crops grown. In Ireland, the vulnerability was felt with the most devastating presence, brought on by their sole dependence on one main food staple, the potato. Potatoes are a cloned food crop, and this variety had no resistance to the fungus. It was not the potatoes so much as the potato monoculture that sowed the seeds of Ireland’s disaster. For example, the Incas also depended largely on potatoes, but they cultivated such a variety that no one fungus could cause such complete damage. In fact, it was in South America, where the solution was found that would resist the blight: the ‘Garnet Chile’.

“Monoculture is where the logic of nature collides with the logic of economics. In Ireland under British rule the logic of economics dictated a monoculture of potatoes; in 1845, the logic of nature exercised its vet, and a million people- many of whom probably owed their existence to the potato in the fires place- perished. A million people died of starvation in only three years.” (The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan)

This nervously reminds me of what is currently happening with agribusiness. We now live in a time where patents can be given for the food we eat. Where a ‘Terminator’ gene can be introduced to interfere with the lifecycle so the most elemental of nature’s processes is now in the claws of capitalism. It has also been scientifically determined that genetically modified plants are ‘substantially equivalent’ to ordinary plants, and the regulation of these foods has been voluntary since 1992 (Pollan). It is only when one of these agribusinesses feels that it is ‘worthy knowledge’, that we be given notification as to the health concerns of the food that the majority of the population is consuming now. (I can’t remember ever seeing a label telling me that I am consuming a genetically modified product, can you?) GMO ‘food’ is not even considered food anymore. With these genetic modifications, it is now considered a pesticide (placing it under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency). This removes it from any testing or regulations by the Food and Drug Administration.

Another reminder as to the dangers in the lack of diversity is showing signs with the most common supermarket banana: the Cavendish. It is currently battling the black Sigatoka fungus. We saw a similar disaster in the 1950’s when the Gros Michel was completely wiped out by Panama disease. And while the one plant that holds the key to this fungus finds itself as the sole survivor displayed in a botanical garden in India, we have to ask ourselves how it has come to this? What lessons have we learned from reducing ourselves to one type of banana, or potato, or the ability of businesses to now hold complete control in the life cycle of the food we consume? Embrace biodiversity, encourage variety, support your local farmers, grow your own food, become an active member in the chain of events that starts from saving that seed and following it through its entire life cycle. Question and gain information as to the decisions affecting the food you consume. Knowledge is the greatest treasure. Participate in the cycles of life, nature’s rhythms, and understand that just because you see this picture perfect potato doesn’t mean that it is a reflection of its true energy. Know what you eat.