This is closely related to a recent program either I heard (on NPR/National Public Radio) or saw (on PBS/Public Broadcasting System).
About 10-20 years ago, the USA to help reduce the famines in India, promoted the use of different, higher yield seeds which took more fertilizer and water but which yielded crops 4 or more times larger.
Over time, as a result, the water tables have dropped lower and lower so that, while their level was only 10-15 feet below surface and could be hand pumped, now it takes deep drilling and gasoline or electric pumps to bring the water to the surface. As a result, fewer and fewer farmers can afford that.
So I'm afraid that our good intentions ran into the laws of unintended consequences.
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About 10-20 years ago, the USA to help reduce the famines in India, promoted the use of different, higher yield seeds which took more fertilizer and water but which yielded crops 4 or more times larger.
Over time, as a result, the water tables have dropped lower and lower so that, while their level was only 10-15 feet below surface and could be hand pumped, now it takes deep drilling and gasoline or electric pumps to bring the water to the surface. As a result, fewer and fewer farmers can afford that.
So I'm afraid that our good intentions ran into the laws of unintended consequences.
