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Old 07-02-2007, 17:25 PM   #19 (permalink)
Parihaka
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironduke View Post
Low-energy input, fertilizer and pesticide-free crops still have transportation costs. For example, organic crops have been shown to have higher transportation costs which erase any environmental benefits from the practice of organic farming.
Oh aye, but you have to offset it against this only being useful in high population density areas. Which means land costs are extremely high and ongoing, construction costs are high and carry their own carbon costs, and transportation of food over long distances is extremely cheap, especially by sea.
To offset the high land value and construction costs, the product has to be high value, so is only really useful for niche market products or it simply won't be cost effective. great for specialist mushrooms for instance, but sod all use for rice.
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