"From 1945 onwards there was a marked increase year on year in yield from 2.5 tonnes /hectare to 8.6 tonnes/hectare in 2014. Our acreage is dropping but productivity is still increasing. "

This is due to improved fertilisers and pesticides. And the start really was National Growmore, introduced in 1945. But available to large farmers, small farmers, smallholders and hobby gardeners alike. I don't think we need the land to be in the hands of large farmers, there should be a more equitable distribution. But I am not with all this organic nonsense. Apart from GM, thats unproven and we are kept in the dark about the consequences by the likes of Monsanto who squash all opposition.