It seems to me that the solution is going to have to be demand based, rather than supply based. A change in Demand (not a movement a long the same demand curve, but a new demand curve) is about the only force that has enough power to move the current entrenched global food industry.

Continuing shortages in food (increasing prices) will place substantial force on the industry to innovate to solve the price/shortage problem. This innovation is typically a good thing, however without an inherent change in the consumer demand for food (how its grown, its healthiness, etc, etc), even this innovation will most probably push the industry along a similar path that it has for the past 85+ years, with a few short sighted fixes.

The potentially bigger problem is that it is becoming more and more difficult for demand based corrections to occur due to silly government sponsorships and market intervention. The author’s recommendation that the Gov’t get rid of the farm subsidies would probably solve the entire problem.

Its important to realize that none of this mess would have EVER happened, if the free market would have been allowed to do its job…without silly props and interventions. However, if the subsidies are removed, the food market will be in for a serious correction, which will bring about many less than pleasing side effects for the world before a full recovery. Sadly, this correction will probably not be allowed to do its job due to further intervention.

-lyle