Organic expense

Organic food is usually more expensive than 'normal' food that we buy in the groceries. The Environmental Blog reports that price of organic food is following the footsteps of the rising food prices all over the world. It is indeed logical. This makes it more difficult for middle class citizens to buy organic food, especially those for some who consider a few cents of price increase a make or break deal. This may form a negative feedback for organic farmers who might lose a potential 'middle class' market.

War over food?

Hopefully it won't come to that extent. But violence has erupted in some countries like over soaring food prices. In my country, the Philippines, the price of rice has almost doubled since I left last year.

Visit The Economist online for the report and a quick look on the statistics.

Food for thought

Here is an article on what should be done to win the combat against rising food prices. It is a 'comprehensive-enough' essay that gives one an overview of the issue. However, the conclusions arrived at by the author focuses merely on the supply side. The demand side is not dealt with, such as providing livelihood to increase purchasing power and population management.

World food crisis

Reports abound on the looming world food crisis. One of the arguments raised that causes this phenomenon is the increased production and use of biofuels. This reason seems to have a positive feedback loop. Main arguments raised on this issue is the use of agriculture products for fuel production instead of food supply. Second is the shift in crops planted from food crops to biofuels. Third is the conversion of agricultural land into 'biofuels' land.

If farmers find it more profitable to plant crops for biofuels, no policy could stop them from doing so.