Although the problem of third world hunger is now thought to be linked to a suitable water supply, the idea of growing food to replace expensive animal rearing as a means to feed the world was once broached to an economist. He is believed to have replied that nothing would change because the price of beans and lentils would rise accordingly. In a capitalist culture, prices rise according to needs, and because needs are exploited in this way, self sufficiency may be the only answer.