While you're around to keep an eye on them I'd suggest you run at 2X speed, switching to normal speed when you shut down the game. That way you should get more tech points; you'd probably find your villagers eat faster, but that can be offset by hunting for mushrooms.

You might also try running in easy mode, although I confess I've not noticed much difference myself.

As bajantara and Barbara have said, farming crops is very important, and I'd make that a priority.