The government says it makes no sense to allow much of the country's best soil to lie fallow while farmers struggle to squeeze a living from minuscule, dust-blown fields.

ECONOMIST: Ethiopia

Farmers plant a warm-season perennial grass and fallow the field for two years, improving soil quality and water-holding capacity.

FORBES: New Technology Reduces Agricultural Water Consumption

Land used to grow biopharmed corn, for example, would have to lie fallow for the following season, a requirement that would promote soil erosion and whose expense would discourage many farmers from biopharming.

FORBES: Food Fight