[nonrandomstring]

I also don't mind GMO products as such, and think this is good progress in general, no worse than selective breeding. But what I've read recently indicates that falling food quality is linked to poor soil quality. Vitamin D is great, but if the produce is missing essential micro-nutrients and minerals that's bad. We need sustainable farming practices not tweaks to the biology that masks a more serious underlying systemic problem.

[algoatecorn]

To be fair, the reduction in micronutrients/minerals is a drop in the bucket compared to our yield increases. Besides, the reduction is more closely linked to our choice in cultivar as opposed to soil health. The Rothamsted institute has studied this extensively if you are curious to read more.

I agree, though. We should not only have more sustainable farming but also a more sustained food system entirely.

[nonrandomstring]

Thanks for the Rothamsted reference Matt, I am interested, like so much today this is obviously a complex can-o-worms.

[algoatecorn]

It certainly is, and even as an ag researcher I'm still learning and tweaking my mental model for how our food systems should work. I believe we're headed into another green revolution where our success isn't just measured by yield. It'll also be measured by efficiency, restoration of damaged land, carbon sequestration, and innovative downstream products.

Here's an interesting article from McKinsey & Co. about how agriculture is one of the least digitized industries and the benefits it could gain from innovation.

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/agriculture/our-insights...