So in terms of energy production, modern petroleum-based farming is not producing anything at all. Actually, it is “producing” a loss. The more that is produced, the more of the earth’s resources are being eaten up. In addition, it creates pollution and destroys the soil. The apparent increase in food production is also subsidized by our rapid depletion of the soil’s organic matter. We are simply squandering this gift of stored solar energy. We are the octopus congratulating itself for becoming fat by eating its own legs. High-tech farming methods give the illusion that even if the earth loses its fertility, even if there is no rich soil, food can still be reliably produced. But if petroleum becomes even a little scarce, food production will take a sharp and immediate drop. When we have reached the point at which obtaining one unit of food energy requires three to four times as much energy input, how will the human race be able to maintain its food supply? There is no technology for increased food production that uses more energy than high technology. Therefore, whoever controls petroleum can control the world’s food supply. I find this situation really disturbing.
Masanobu Fukuoka, Sowing seeds in the desert
