Agriculture as the primary vocation of Martians

[FOQ1]

There was a time in human history when the primary vocation of most humans was agriculture.

Little by little, the invention of Capitalism resulted in changes, so that in 2026 on Earth, very few humans are directly employed in support of agriculture.

Have to be a little bit pedantic here. The thing that caused the shift was not Capitalism, it was the Industrial Revolution. Capitalism started to become a major force shortly thereafter and accelerated the process but it was broad application of machinery that drove our capacity to harvest more crops with fewer people. An additional acceleration came with the development of modern chemistry and subsequently 'soil science.' We may see an additional improvement in calories per acre with the burgeoning Permaculture movement.

My first love (academically) was Economics. I had a great deal of interest in my undergrad days into how Capitalism came to be the dominant system over the previous Mercantilism (at least in what was considered the Western World.) Americans sort of worship at an alter of Capital. Curiously, American hasn't enjoyed what IMO can objectively called Capitalism since the period prior to the Gilded Age of 1870 - 1900. Let's say it died in America around 1860. I advocate to bring Capitalism back! And not because I think it is somehow the best or a good system. It is the least obnoxious we have found so far.

The best we have ever theorized is Marxism. Too bad that just doesn't work in practice!

[tahanson43206]

The article at the link below is about a food production enterprise in an African country that offers educational opportunities to visitors. The facility is located in association with a game preserve, and the article describes encounters with animals native to the region.

However, the part of the article that I thought might be most interesting in the Mars context is description of the growing activities carried out by staff.

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/sirikoi-lodge-kenya

(th)

[tahanson43206]

This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.

The premise of this topic is certainly interesting.

There was a time in human history when the primary vocation of most humans was agriculture.

Little by little, the invention of Capitalism resulted in changes, so that in 2026 on Earth, very few humans are directly employed in support of agriculture.

This topic offers an opportunity for what I hope will be a spirited discussion of how employment might evolve on Mars.

Index:
Article about food production in Africa: http://new-mars.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=628#p628

(th)

[FOQ1]

This is speculation and I'm delighted to hear if you see things differently.

Seems to me the primary source of employment for Martians, at least at first is going to be in agriculture. Plant and animal cultivation is where all of our food, fiber, dyes, medicine, hydrocarbons (and everything that comes with it), grain alcohol (important chemical input), and probably a material amount of our breathing Oxygen are going to come from. The construction and mining industries will by necessity be largely mechanized and automated. Agriculture also happens to be an area that can scale rapidly. Ideally, young people can learn the ropes of a trade early that is useful everywhere on the planet and never in surplus supply.

I propose the following specialities:

• Horticulturalist (plants)
• Animal Husband (animals, fish, worms, and insects)
• Mycologist (fungus)
• Algae-culturist (algae)

All specialties will by served by an additional specialty involved in turning agricultural waste products into humus. That is, there will be no true waste stream. Everything will recycle and feed growth of the industry.

The industry would start as one that is purely focused on growth to start. Permaculture methodologies would need to be adopted as a biosphere begins to develop. Including local biospheres within closed environments.