Category: Environment

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Column Environment Food Health

The Origins of Cumin

This week we will know about the origins of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) which traces its roots to the eastern Mediterranean and Near East, with archaeological evidence placing wild and early cultivated cumin in prehistoric sites along the Levantine coast. The oldest identified cumin seeds come from the submerged Neolithic settlement of Atlit‑Yam, dating back nearly 8,000–9,000 years, showing how ancient communities used the plant.

Early Uses and Regional Spread

Cumin appears repeatedly in ancient texts and archaeological contexts across Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the broader Mediterranean, where it served as a culinary spice, a medicinal remedy, and sometimes a ritual ingredient. Its name and use are recorded in early languages from Sumerian through Akkadian, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, reflecting long‑standing cultural importance across the Near East and Mediterranean world.

Trade Routes to Europe

As trade networks developed, cumin moved along both overland and maritime corridors. Phoenician, Greek, and Roman trade helped introduce cumin throughout Europe, while medieval Mediterranean ports and markets kept it in circulation as a valued spice. In medieval and early modern Europe cumin was used in cooking, medicine, and even as a form of rent or payment in some regions, underscoring its economic as well as culinary value.

Global Diffusion after the Age of Exploration

European voyages of the 15th and 16th centuries accelerated cumin’s global spread. The Columbian exchange and later colonial movements transported cumin seeds to the Americas, North Africa, and South Asia, where the plant adapted readily to new climates. Over time cumin became integrated into diverse cuisines from Mexico to India, becoming one of the world’s most widely used spices.

Modern Production and Legacy

Today India is the dominant producer of cumin, supplying a large share of global demand, while other producers include Turkey, Iran, North Africa, and parts of the Americas. Cumin’s long journey—from Neolithic settlements to global kitchens—illustrates how a modest seed shaped trade, medicine, and culinary traditions across millennia.

Published in the Peebleshire News on 4th September 2026

Categories
Column Environment Food Health

Sustainable Farming Methods

Modern agriculture is increasingly exploring sustainable farming methods that reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilisers while protecting soil health, ecosystems, and human well-being. These approaches aim to work with natural processes rather than relying heavily on synthetic inputs.

1. Organic Farming avoids synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilisers. Instead, farmers use natural compost, manure, green manure, and biological pest control methods. Techniques such as crop rotation and the use of organic matter improve soil fertility and encourage beneficial microorganisms. As a result, the soil becomes healthier and more productive over time.

2. Crop Rotation involves growing different types of crops in the same field across different seasons or years. For example, farmers may alternate cereals with legumes. Legumes naturally add nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need for artificial fertilisers. Rotation also interrupts pest and disease cycles, which decreases the need for chemical pesticides.

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to control pests. Farmers monitor pest populations and only intervene when necessary. Natural predators such as ladybirds, birds, and beneficial insects are encouraged to control pests. Traps, resistant crop varieties, and careful field management also help reduce pesticide use.

4. Agroforestry integrates trees with crops or livestock on the same land. Trees improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and provide shade and organic matter through fallen leaves. They also support biodiversity, which helps control pests naturally.

5. Composting and Natural Fertilisers: Instead of chemical fertilisers, farmers can use compost, animal manure, and plant residues. These materials enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients, improving water retention and soil structure.

6. Cover Cropping: Cover crops such as clover or rye are planted between growing seasons. They protect the soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add nutrients when they decompose.

In conclusion, sustainable farming methods such as organic farming, crop rotation, and integrated pest management help maintain soil fertility and biodiversity while reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. These practices promote long-term agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability

Published in the Peebleshire News on 27th March 2026

Categories
Column Environment Food Health

Negative Impact of Pesticides & Fertilisers

Pesticides and chemical fertilisers are widely used in modern agriculture to increase crop yields and protect plants from pests and diseases. While these chemicals help farmers produce more food, their excessive and improper use has serious negative impacts on soil quality and human health. One major problem caused by pesticides and fertilisers is soil degradation. Healthy soil contains microorganisms, insects, and nutrients that support plant growth. However, many chemical pesticides kill not only harmful pests but also beneficial organisms such as earthworms and bacteria. These organisms play an important role in maintaining soil fertility and structure. When they are destroyed, the soil gradually loses its natural productivity and becomes less fertile over time.

Chemical fertilisers also affect soil health. Continuous use of synthetic fertilisers can disturb the natural balance of nutrients in the soil. Instead of improving soil quality in the long term, they often lead to nutrient imbalances and increased soil acidity. Over time, this reduces the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients, making crops more dependent on artificial inputs. In addition to harming the soil, pesticides and fertilisers can also pose serious risks to human health. Residues of pesticides often remain on fruits and vegetables and may enter the human body through food consumption. Long-term exposure to certain pesticides has been linked to health problems such as hormonal disruption, neurological disorders, and even cancer.

Furthermore, these chemicals can contaminate groundwater and nearby rivers through runoff during rainfall. When people consume polluted water, it can lead to health issues such as digestive problems and other chronic illnesses. In conclusion, although pesticides and fertilisers help increase agricultural productivity, their excessive use damages soil health and threatens human well-being. Therefore, farmers and governments should encourage safer agricultural practices such as organic farming, crop rotation, and the use of natural pest control methods to protect both the environment and public health. In my next column we will cover sustainable farming methods that reduce the need for these chemicals.

Published in the Peebleshire News on 20th March 2026

Categories
Column Environment Food

Grow Your Own food

This week Bosco Santimano founder and executive director of social enterprise You Can Cook, shares his thoughts on why the council should invest in allotments to support small farms and residents in the Scottish Borders.

2025 is going to be another difficult year for many families and individuals who have seen not only their financial situation worsen but also their physical and mental health. Many will be forced to get their food via by Foodbanks across the UK. While food inflation has risen exponentially since the pandemic, citizens are less likely to have access to good wholesome foods at affordable prices.

The Scottish Borders is well placed to run small scale farms and other food related businesses and the local council should be providing startup investments for young people and local enterprises who are passionate about growing food and developing a thriving food industry locally so they don’t have to leave the region looking for work.

As of March 2025, the Scottish Borders region faces several challenges concerning allotments. There are significant number of overgrown and unused allotment plots, particularly at the Wilton Park Road site in Hawick, which have remained vacant and overgrown. This neglect has deterred potential gardeners, especially when plots become increasingly difficult to cultivate over time. This raises significant management and maintenance issues for allotment holders who have repeatedly expressed concerns over the lack of regular inspections and maintenance by Scottish Borders Council. Instances have been reported where plots have been left unattended for extended periods, leading to overgrowth and reduced appeal for prospective tenants.

There are development pressures in Peebles where allotment holders are contending with potential displacement due to development interests. Despite legal challenges and community opposition, the threat of losing these allotments to housing projects remains a pressing concern.

The demand for allotments continues to outstrip supply. For instance, in Peebles, the waiting period for an allotment at sites like The Gytes, Burgh Hall, and Moss Park is approximately three years. In Hawick, sites such as Guthrie Drive and Wilton Park Road have waiting periods of up to two years, indicating a need for more plots to accommodate interested residents. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative approach involving local authorities, community organizations, and residents to ensure that allotments remain accessible, well-maintained, and protected from external development pressures.

Local elected councillors and MSPs should come together to work on long term solutions to alleviate food shortages and higher prices of essential commodities in the region. Party politics should take a back seat and elected representatives should work in partnership with local people, young and old, community groups, schools and social enterprises that put people first across the Scottish Borders.

Land to build houses can be found very quickly as profit motives drive this trend, but land for growing, that is another matter. We need to act quickly as current global events unfolding in front of us will keep having a detrimental impact on our health and well-being.

This column was published in the Peeblesshire News on Friday 21st March 2025