|
   
Farmers Were Promised Higher Returns If They Grew Genetically Engineered Food Crops
In 1996 Monsanto introduced commercially a genetically engineered cotton with in-seed insect-protection against the cotton bollworm. In 1997 Monsanto introduced commercially a genetically modified corn which had in-built protection from the European corn borer. Also, that year, a new genetically modified cotton variety which had both bollworm resistance and glyphosate tolerant properties.
Farmers were promised higher returns and lower costs and thus more profit if they grew these transgenic plants. Have the biotech companies been able to deliver on these promises.
India.
According to Andrew Malone writing in the Daily Mail, it is true what Prince Charles said about thousands of farmers in the Maharashtra state, India, committing suicide after running up large debts due to the crop failure of genetically modified pest proof varieties of Bt cotton. The farmers were promised that the genetically modified cotton would not need pesticides, would be free of disease and insect pests. Instead their cotton was devastated by the parasite pink bollworm. This was because the cotton is resistant to green bollworm but not pink bollworm.
Though the yields were lower some forty percent of farmers did manage to make a small profit, as compared to the sixty percent of farmers who made a loss, from growing the Bt cotton. But because the quality of the cotton is poor, the fibres are shorter, farmers are paid less per kilo. So farmers who grow cotton have lower yields and get reduced returns on the cotton they do produce. Why would any farmer desire to grow genetically modified cotton.
To make matters worse the seeds sold to the farmers are "terminator" seeds. This means that the Bt cotton crop only produce infertile seeds. So even if the farmer does manage to get even a low yield of cotton he can't use these seeds to plant next years crop but has to purchase new seeds every year and these genetically modified seeds are very overpriced.
South Africa.
Farmers in three provinces -- North West, Free State and Mpumalanga, in South Africa -- have had up to eighty percent crop failure with three varieties of genetically engineered corn. Monsanto blamed the crop failures on an error in the laboratory, made during the seed production process. Opponents of genetically modified foodstuffs, however, say that the science behind genetic engineering is astray.
Super-weeds.
Another disadvantage of growing genetically modified crops that are made to be tolerant of glyphosate is that over time when the plants are sprayed with the herbicide, the weeds also become resistant to the weed killer. According to The International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds there are now nine weed species, in different areas within the United States, that are resistant to the glyphosate weed killer.
When you consider that glyphosate is one of the most damaging and most popular of all herbicides then once a weed species becomes tolerant to it, it may be difficult to find a weed killer that will kill the weeds but leave the food crop standing.
When farmers are finding their land infested with these super-weeds they are been advised to boost the amount of glyphosate they normally use on the food crop and if this does not solve the problem they are advised to add a selection of different weed killers. So farmers end up by spraying the food crops with many diverse types of herbicides including ample amounts of glyphosate. Using more weed killers means more expense and reduced profits.
Georgia, United States.
The state of Georgia is being invaded, not by Triffids, but by pigweed (Palmer Amaranth). Over one-hundred thousand acres of farmland in Georgia is severely infested with this glyphosate tolerant superweed says weed specialist Stanley Culpepper from the University of Georgia.
Pigweed is a fast-growing, drought-resistant, incredibly prolific weed that smothers the cotton plants starving them of sunlight, nutrients and water. The infestation has got so bad that some farmers are weeding their Bt cotton crops by hand. Other farmers are giving up and abandoning their acreage to the weeds.
Long Term Trends.
The evidence seems to suggest that growing genetically modified crops will eventually lead to lower yields and higher expenditure, which means deflated profits.
Some Helpful Tips On Hydroponics Farming
With drastic changes made to the world we live in, it has become so modernized that we sometimes tend to forget how our forefathers lived on just farming and living a simple yet happy life.
Information About Healing Calf Scours
Non-infectious causes such as inadequate nutrition of the mother or calf and stress related to weather, overcrowding, storms, etc. can all individually and/or in combination set the stage for infectious causes of scours to take hold.
When Anxiety Disorders In Children Are Found They Have To Be Promptly Treated
Just like grown ups, children are subject to a host of psychological complaints and even severe mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders in children, in fact, are not out of the question. Contrary to popular belief, children do have things to be worried about
Licensed Addiction Counseling - Is This Best Job Path For You? It Absolutely Could Be!
In our current society, impulsiveness and addictiveness run high among the population like never before. As this is the case, there has never been a better time to consider a career as an addiction counselor.
Aerobic Clothing - The Best Clothes To Workout In?
One of the most encouraging things you can try when it comes to starting a workout is to buy yourself some nice aerobic clothing. This inspirational tool is quite useful for many people who want to get started on their exercise and diet plan in style.
A Health Instructor Teaches Her Pupils About The Significant Issues Involved In Alcohol Addiction Signs
A health teacher in the largest private high school in the county motivates her students to learn about the importance of alcoholism signs in today's society.
A Young Male Drinks Carelessly, Gets Motivated To Get Treatment For Alcoholism And Depression, And Improves His Life
A purchasing agent drinks excessively, gets motivated to get treatment for alcoholism and depression, turns his life around, and develops an alcohol-free lifestyle.
What Is Targeted Traffic And Find Out How Is It Possible That Bank Vault Traffic Reciprocation Assist?
With all the discussion about ways to make money online, one of the easiest marketing tactics is to utilize traffic exchanges. With the ability to get free targeted (more on this in a minute) traffic to your offers/products/promotions, they make perfect sense. Many traffic exchanges allow you to earn plenty of free traffic credits to get exposure for your sites.
Will You Be Qualified For A Stop Gap Health Insurance Policy
Perhaps you are switching from one job to another, or maybe you are employed part-time, or with a seasonal agency that does not offer full health coverage, or you might be attending or just graduated from school. In these situations, traditional health insurance cover is sometimes not available.
Related Posts
Associated Resources
|