The second article in this series covers some issues related to the involvement of industry or agricultural biotech companies in the production of food.
THE FACTS:
1. The article states that in order to feed the estimated 9 billion people in 2050, farmers in low-income countries must be able to grow more food in a way that is affordable, sustainable, and possible in water- and nutrient-poor soils.
2. Monsanto and other large agricultural biotech firms are making a significant departure from what has been the mainstay of their business, pesticide- and herbicide-resistant crops, to develop transgenic crops that are drought-tolerant and resistant to stresses such as soils poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients.
3. Monsanto’s annual research budget is $1.2 billion, which is more than what the U.S. federal government spends on all agricultural sciences ($1.1 billion).
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. It is estimated that farmers in the U.S. lose 10-15% of their crops each year to drought and water stress. If it were up to you, would you choose to focus on the development of “resistant” crops or on the development of better irrigation systems and soil enrichment? Why?
2. What might all of the potential effects of a highly successful drought-resistant maize/corn include? Would people have more food (corn), but less nourishment? Would farmers in low-income countries become dependent on companies in the U.S.? Would the predominance of a single strain of maize increase the risk that the majority of maize production could be eliminated by a single threat (such as what happened during the great potato famine in Ireland)?
3. The intent of business is to be profitable and this results in the most research being conducted on “blockbuster” crops such as maize/corn, soy beans, and cotton. How would the promotion or abundance of these crops fit (or not) with a desire and need to consume a variety of different foods in low and high income countries?
Tomorrow: getting back to our roots…
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