O futuro deveria definir a agricultura de que precisámos começar a preparar

Um dos critérios para ajuizar do grau de desenvolvimento de um país, ou de uma região, prende-se com a sua capacidade de antever os problemas, o que obriga como requisito, entre outras coisas (as estatísticas, para nomear uma) o levar a cabo uma reflexão estratégica contínua, em todos os domínios. O Haiti, é um bom e triste exemplo, disso, a contrário, no domínio da construção civil, e da sua regulamentação. O Reino Unido, é um bom exemplo, disso, no domínio do abastecimento alimentar futuro (mas não só: os documentos de reflexão da Administração Pública britânica, são uma maravilha).

Aqui, nos Açores, além de na Universidade, há preocupações a este respeito? Estamos a Sudoeste da Grã-Bretanha, no caso de não terem reparado.

•  Why Britain faces a bleak future of food shortages | Science | The Observer: "Britain faces a 'perfect storm' of water shortage and lack of food, says the government's chief scientist, and climate change and crop and animal diseases will add to future woes. Science is now striving to find solutions"
• Grow your own food revolution plans to seed unused land | Climate Ark: "The government plans to launch a 'grow your own' revolution by encouraging people to set up temporary allotments or community gardens on land awaiting development or other permanent use. It aims to develop a 'meanwhile' lease to formalise such arrangements between landowners and voluntary groups and is considering establishing a 'land bank' to broker better links and ensure plots are not left idle. Ministers believe the move could foster community spirit and skills as well as improve physical and mental health. Hilary Benn, the environment and food secretary, will announce the plans tomorrow as a part of a long-awaited and much-trailed package to ensure Britain grows more food, wastes less, reduces its dependence on imports, and leads the way in reforming the EU's common agricultural and fishing policies."
• Britain's Conservatives Take On Megagrocers | The Big Money: "The proposal would create a 'supermarket ombudsman' that would crack down on retailers that force farmers and food processors to cut their prices, and their profit margins. The idea is 'designed to shore up the party’s credentials as champions of the countryside,' reports the Times of London."
• Climate change warning for UK farmers: "British farming is about to get political, as climate change and rising prices mean food security will become a major issue. Agriculture will increasingly become a political issue, warns ex-NFU boss Sir Ben Gill Climate change will help British farmers in some ways, giving them better growing conditions. But since most of our food is imported, falling yields and increased demand for staple foods like wheat and milk could have serious consequences for UK consumers. The Government is due to outline its latest strategy for agriculture at the Oxford Farming Conference today."