The world is on the brink of a groundbreaking agricultural revolution, and it starts with a simple yet profound realization: 'Soil is more important than oil.' This quote, from Wes Jackson, the founder of the Land Institute, encapsulates a movement that could transform how we grow our food and protect our planet. But what does it mean, and why is it so significant? Let's dig deeper.
In a greenhouse in rural Kansas, a remarkable experiment unfolds. A hundred pots of plants, each with a scraggly crown of grass-like leaves, are not just any ordinary plants. They are perennials, a stark contrast to the annuals that dominate our agricultural landscape. These plants, unlike soya beans, wheat, maize, and rice, have the unique ability to grow year after year.
Lee DeHaan, a researcher at the Land Institute, believes these plants hold the key to a sustainable future. His breeding program aims to create a new generation of perennial grain crops, starting with intermediate wheatgrass, which he has been cultivating into a high-yielding crop called Kernza. Imagine a world where wheat, the most widely grown crop, is replaced by a sustainable alternative that doesn't require the intensive farming practices that harm our environment.
But here's where it gets controversial. Annual plants, which thrive in bare ground, have become the norm in modern agriculture. Fields are ploughed, herbicides are sprayed, and new seeds are planted annually. This approach, according to Tim Crews, the Land Institute's chief scientist, is 'the greatest disturbance on the planet.' The consequences are dire: greenhouse gas emissions, ocean dead zones, and the loss of fertile topsoil.
The solution? Perennial plants. By replacing annuals with perennials, soil erosion could be drastically reduced, and soil health improved. Perennials build soil, limit nutrient runoff, and store carbon, all while reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. But there's a catch: high-yielding perennial grain crops are virtually non-existent.
Wes Jackson's vision, inspired by the resilience of native prairie ecosystems, is to create perennial grains that mimic the growth of prairie plants. This idea sparked a revolution, and DeHaan, inspired by Jackson's mission, dedicated his life to making it a reality. Kernza, although still in development, is already a viable crop, grown in several US states. It's used in various products, from beer to breakfast cereals.
The challenge lies in increasing yields. Kernza yields are currently a fraction of annual wheat, but DeHaan is optimistic. He believes that with advanced breeding techniques, Kernza could match wheat yields within a couple of decades. And it's not just about yields. Kernza's deep-rooted system provides numerous benefits, including soil stabilization, nutrient gathering, and drought resistance.
The Land Institute is not working alone. Collaborating with partners worldwide, they are developing perennial varieties of oilseeds, wheat, pulses, quinoa, and more. In Uganda, perennial sorghum is being developed for drought tolerance, and in Ukraine, Kernza is being tested as a low-input crop in war-torn regions. These efforts represent a global push towards a more sustainable agriculture.
The success of perennial rice in China since 2018 offers a glimmer of hope. In just 20 years, researchers have developed a perennial rice variety that matches the yields of annual elite varieties while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This achievement proves that the dream of perennial grains is not just a fantasy.
DeHaan's vision is to balance productivity, farm economics, and environmental impact. He argues that current agriculture, propped up by billions in subsidies, is unsustainable, and perennial grains could be the answer. However, challenges remain, including improving yields, developing new farming methods, and navigating market hurdles.
DeHaan is quick to dispel the notion of a 'silver bullet.' He acknowledges the difficulties and the need for time and investment. But he also sees a future where the agricultural-industrial complex adapts to these disruptive innovations, creating a more sustainable food system.
The Land Institute's strategy is gaining traction. Food companies like General Mills are incorporating Kernza into their products, and major research institutions are joining the perennial grain development effort. DeHaan's 'winners,' those 100 young Kernza plants, could be the ancestors of a new era in agriculture, one that nourishes humanity while healing the soil that sustains us.
So, is soil more important than oil? The answer may lie in the fields of Kansas and the dreams of researchers like DeHaan. The perennial grain revolution is not just about agriculture; it's about reshaping our relationship with the earth. And this is the part most people miss—it's not just about what we grow, but how we grow it, and why.
