Dear friends

I would like to launch a debate about the recent rises in food prices and the economical recession looming ahead in the world because of the rising fuel costs and whether if this is the true reason for the rise in food prices or are there other sinister reasons such as speculators holding back on the stocks or diverting the stocks to the more lucrative bio fuel production.

How much roll is draught and short rain falls in the recent years playing in pushing up the food prices? Would this lead to so called water wars between the arid south and the water rich north? What should be done to avert such terrifying scenarios?

How are all this affecting all businesses in general and small businesses in particular.

What can be done to ride the crisis if we are dealing in commodities other than food products or should we all switch to dealing in food products as food is the only item a family cannot go without?

Please participate in this small debate and tell your experience and observations and how all this is affecting your business?

I hope we can all benefit from our mutual views and experiences and thank you all for your time.

A few months ago I mentioned the possibility of "vertical gardening", which can be done in a corner of a room, near a window. Also miniature greenhouses are possible - even on a balcony. But what are the odds that people will understand and thus create a market for all kinds of implements, like trays or whatever? It doesn't make much sense to admit, "that guy was right", if it happens just seconds before you literally starve to death.

Quoting from [germex]:

A few months ago I mentioned the possibility of "vertical gardening", which can be done in a corner of a room, near a window. Also miniature greenhouses are possible - even on a balcony. But what are the odds that people will understand and thus create a market for all kinds of implements, like trays or whatever? It doesn't make much sense to admit, "that guy was right", if it happens just seconds before you literally starve to death.

Dear germex, Thank you for participating in the debate. It would be really useful to learn more details about vertical gardening and of other inovating ways to combat shortage of food and draught and fuel shortage which can be applied especially in the case of third world countries. good luck in your business.