GMO Corn Farmers are Losing Land, Swimming in Debt Says New Research

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/gmo-corn-farmers-are-losing-land-swimming-debt-says-new-research-1380984035

Medina points out that these benefits are promoted without truly considering socio-economic factors and long-term impact of GMO on soil, and biodiversity. The environmental effects alone could bankrupt an entire country. Medina said, “data on the socio-economic impact of GMOs are rarely and dramatically laid bare.”

The Philippine government gave a big nod to Bt-corn over 10 years ago, and since then more than 10 varieties have been approved for commercial propagation. This is more than enough time to consider the financial outcome of such a decision. And it isn’t looking good. Unfortunately, GM foods such as Bt eggplant and Golden Rice have been “field-tested” and are said to be up for commercialization – disheartening news when the Bt corn has done enough damage all on its own.


Farmers were enticed into buying GMO Bt corn at an introductory price back in 2000, one that was comparable to regular hybrid corn, and then GMO seed companies simply baited and switched – jacking up prices similar to what you might expect with cell phone companies or insurance companies.

Using one example reported by the book, Round Up Ready GM corn was cheaply offered at P2,800 per 18-kilo bag in Cuartero, Capiz – good for planting an entire hectare. In 2008, the cost skyrocketed to P4,600 for a 9-kilo bag and P9,200 for two bags of RR corn seeds. The prices of fertilizers and pesticides also increased. In the end seeds, fertilizers and pesticides cost farmers almost 50% of their profits. They also cost the community their health and the future generations of farmers, depleted soil and a negatively impacted environment.

[factsarenotfair]

1. Perhaps we could consider GMO foods chemical weapons covered under international treaties.

Just a thought....

[NickB79]

2. What stopped the farmers from going back to regular hybrids?

Are they simply no longer available, or what?

Also, I'd like to point out that this most of this article describes commercial farming in general, not just that done with GMO crops:

They also cost the community their health and the future generations of farmers, depleted soil and a negatively impacted environment.

Plenty of farmland across the planet has been destroyed with good ole fashioned hybrid seed since the Green Revolution, which also needs fertilizer and pesticide to provide high yields.