Perennial Crops Will Guarantee Food Safety
Targeted News Service -- BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- October 18, 2012 -- Rutgers University scientists have proposed that UN researchers develop these kinds of plantations in order to restore soils, and offer nutritional options to the inhabitants.Perennial crops are those which have a useful life of more than five continuous years, and up to 25 years in total, such as mangos, avocados and apples.
These have been essential in what is known as the green revolution. This is a process, which has been utilized since 1950, for increasing crops on hill sides, where land erosion is greater. According to researchers it has figured heavily in the prevention of famine since that time.
"Grain production, on a per capita basis, reached its maximum yield around 1980, and has been declining ever since. Obviously, that's not a good prospect. Therefore perennial plants are being further developed to increase land productivity, animal and human nutrition, and to advance different biofuels as well", says Rutgers University PhD, Professor Peter Kahn.
For this reason, Rutgers Biochemistry and Microbiology Department researchers have proposed UN-Palmira scientists to develop these types of plants, in order to recover damaged soil, and provide increased food safety to small farmers.
"In some places we can't even continue to grow crops. We can only plant trees with deep roots, which will help the land to recuperate. By developing perennial plants, we can help peasants and other small farmers to diversify their diets, and that of their animals, which will in turn provide them with some additional income", says professor Kahn.
As far as the American scientists are concerned, the project should be Colombian, although maybe utilizing funding and technical assistance from the United States.
"We chose Colombia because it's the perfect natural laboratory with all kinds of soils; from moist tropical jungle to snow covered mountains. Additionally it has talented scientists, agronomists, and researchers, all highly trained through quality education. That's why we approached the UN", he says.
"This is an opportunity to show off the scientific and technological importance of our university at both the domestic and international levels", says Professor Nora Cristina Mesa, UN Agricultural Sciences Faculty Dean.
The UN Foreign and Inter-Institutional Relations Office (ORI, for its Spanish acronym) hopes to sign a framework agreement with Rutgers University, for the purpose of advancing cooperation projects which will contribute to the development of the country. This would be in addition to furthering the careers of both students and professors alike.
(c) 2012 Targeted News Service
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