Drought Fears And Food Prices

Its 2012, Britain has had dip in rainfall for two years and its starvation time. Disaster! How can our harvest be lean and our grain silos empty in a year  we are inviting the world to our country for grand occasions. The Queens`s Diamond Jubillee and the Olympics are just months away and the country is being told life as we know it is about to cease. Why?  There has been a relatively dip in rainfall for the last two years.  A situation said to be affecting farming and food production and invariably would lead to poor harvest, non production of certain farm produce and a hike in food prices. 

The South East has seen the least rain over a couple of years, while the rest of the country has enjoyed a relatively normal rainfall. How many farms are in London? Or  in the whole of the South East for that matter. If the majority of the farms that produce our food are not based in the South East how is it then that the drought in the South East will have such a dramatic impact on food supply and prices.

It boggles the mind that with all the technological advancement and scientific inventions, our  ability to farm and produce food is still largely dependent on and susceptible to the vagaries of nature.  I dont think that befits a nation in the fore front of technology. Even if it doesnt rain at the expected level for three years I think we should stiil be able to carry on at the same level of production. Maybe this is a wake-up call to our policy makers. More attention has to be paid to how we can leverage technology not only for a more effective food production but aslo to save us being at the mercy of nature the way we are now.

Chelsea Sacks Andre Villas Boas

To be a successful manager in any field or industry takes a lot. Everything has to be right to get the best results. Whatever it is to be a successful manager in the Premiership, Andres Villas Boas hasnt got it. Affable, urbane, young, good understanding of the language but a good manager? No. Not on his performance. Awful. Im a devoted Chelsea fan, have been for 20 years but almost lost interest in the club thanks to Andres Villas Boas.

 The club was being mismanaged. In fact there didnt seem to be any management. A rudderless ship without a captain. Bereft of  ideas or game plan, with the players just making  it up as they went. So it seemed to me anyway. I knew something was going to give sooner or later. And yesterday was the final straw that did it. That 1-0 defeat to West Brom was one slap too much for Abramovich to take. 

Its a decision that will cost the Chelsea owner a few millions.Taking into cognisance the fact that he paid £13 million compensation  to Porto to secure AVB`s services. He would now have to pay the Portuguese compensation for terminating his contract. £5 million is my ballpark figure how much getting rid of Andres Villas Boas will cost the club. How much has Villas Boas already collected in wages? Add all up and the whole saga has set back Mr Abramovich close to £20 million. 


The moral of which is clubs should be weary of sacking managers and even more careful in appointing managers. Ancelotti should never have been sacked. Villas Boas should never have been appointed. Even the assistant coach, Ray Wilkins should never have been sacked. Chelsea never found its footing since Wilkins was shown the door. So the club needs to take its time in appointing a new manager and not be forced into a hasty knee jerk appointment. Good that Roberto Di Matteo, a veteran ex Chelsea player will hold the fort until the end of the season. Enough time to find the right man for the job. 


As for me Im already resigned to Chelsea winning no trophies this season and worse missing out on a place for Champions League football next season.