"Given that global and U.S. grain inventories remain very tight, grain prices will continue to reflect growing conditions and yield potential for both U.S. and global crop production, " Agrium said, citing a June report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which anticipates global grain and oilseed stockpiles to scrape 35-year lows through 2009.

FORBES: Agrium Cropping Up A Strong Year

The green revolution, which spread enabling technologies of high-yield agriculture across the planet, resulted in doubling of grain production.

FORBES: Thomas Malthus: Wrong Yesterday, Right Today?

Agricultural experts have suggested that fruit trees replace grain on the terraced Himalayan hillsides, but it is far from obvious that fruit would yield poor farmers a better return.

ECONOMIST: From the archive