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Old 18-07-2003, 09:23 PM
Jim Webster
 
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Default Sustainability in 3rd world agriculture


"Michael Saunby" wrote in message
...

"James Curts" wrote in message
news:RUWRa.79200$GL4.20189@rwcrnsc53...
Dealing in food products and especially when offering to establish

efficient
hydroponics systems in arid areas we find that many governments, such as
they are, toss up every imaginable roadblock to prevent the project from
being started or, if started, followed through to completion.


Part of your problem may be that hydroponics aren't particularly highly
regarded in the west either. I reckon that roughly 0% of my food is
produced in this way.


I suspect that, at least in the UK, whether something is produced
hydroponically or not doesn't even figure in peoples thinking. I find that I
know so little about the glass house industry (which is a very specialised
branch of agriculture and really has almost nothing to do with the rest of
us) that I honestly wouldn't be able to say whether there is a proportion
that is hydroponically produced, or what that proportion might be.


One instance in a South American involved nothing more than a rather

simple
chemical compound they refused to be imported into their country for

some.
After much scurrying around they "discover" a source from within their

own
country. So we smiled broadly and bought the product at 300% of our
supplier's price and all were happy. The containers were from our

original
suppliers. But that is life when dealing with these folks.

They are 3rd world countries for reasons which are very difficult to

combat
at times.

We have actually failed in a few instances because of local situations
ranging from the above example to direct refusal to accept help for an

area
or community.

So, regardless how pious or righteous your intentions, reality can slap

it
all down with a word. That does not mean we must ease the pressure on

these
groups but we certainly have much home work to have well in hand before
making the commitment.

James Curts


If it was easy it everyone would be doing it.


It is very difficult to work out when you move from local customs to down
right graft and corruption.

Jim Webster