Newsletter #183 ☀️ Skin & Sun — The Truth You Need to Know

Newsletter about nature and science

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M.P.Gerkema

Aug 24, 2025

Agriculture Without Taboos

More than half of our country consists of agricultural land. Most of that is grassland—livestock farming, in other words. Land prices are skyrocketing, especially for agricultural land, because space is scarce. Traditional views on agriculture are increasingly under pressure. Holding on to current levels of meat and dairy production—much of it for export—is becoming unsustainable due to high fixed costs and environmental damage. That also applies to the continued import of soy and fertilizer, and, admittedly to a lesser extent, the use of pesticides.

An alternative approach, such as extensive and organic circular farming, actually requires more, not less land. Our fear of any form of genetic technology also puts us at a disadvantage. The system will grind to a halt if we don’t explore new options—particularly if we want to safeguard biodiversity and ensure economically viable food production.

The development of new technologies could be part of the solution. Factory-based, vertical plant production offers spatial advantages by using plant walls. It also shortens the distance between producer and consumer, and allows for far more efficient use of water, energy, and nutrients.

Another path is the controlled application of modern molecular genetic techniques. Take CRISPR-Cas, inspired by how bacteria fight viruses: it allows us to precisely cut or replace pieces of genetic material. Applications have already been developed to make crops more resistant to salt and drought—two pressing climate issues—as well as to certain plant viruses. If research confirms that there are no unwanted side effects, this could significantly reduce our reliance on pesticides, which is still far too high.

Biologist Hidde Boersma, who calls himself an ecomodernist, advocates for many of these arguments. He fiercely criticizes both the political left and right, especially regarding spatial constraints. His view calls for a strict separation between agriculture and nature—a stance that somewhat overlooks how biodiversity actually works. Much of current farming remains blind to its ecological context. For instance, raising dairy cattle on peatlands is sheer madness—the land is literally burning beneath the farmer’s feet.

In general, we urgently need to reduce the land-use intensity and the unbounded export of meat and dairy. We simply can’t afford the ongoing loss of space and environmental quality. On the other hand, it’s an illusion to think we can grow the majority of our food solely through classical, organic methods.

We’ll need to connect nature-inclusive agriculture to new values like biodiversity and environmental quality—and be willing to pay for that. This also means developing new crops suited for salinized or re-wetted peat soils.

In short, the future may lie in a threefold strategy:

Technological crop and lab-meat production
A more modest, classic agriculture that ditches pesticides, soy imports, and synthetic fertilizers
Nature-inclusive farming that contributes to both food production and livability, alongside space for untouched nature

Five Consumer Tips for Smarter Food Choices

Reduce your meat and dairy consumption – it won’t do you any harm
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables – and don’t import green beans from Africa
Know your producer – buy local or try ‘crowdfarming’
Organic food feels good – it’s more expensive, but often tastes better
Read labels carefully – prefab food is convenient but usually less healthy

Menno en Erwin about Nature and Science

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