Farmers Were Promised Greater Returns If They Grew Genetically Engineered Crops

In 1996 Monsanto introduced commercially a genetically modified 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 engineered cotton variety which had both bollworm resistance and glyphosate tolerant properties.

Farmers were promised higher yields and lower costs and thus more profit if they grew these transgenic crops. Have the biotech companies been able to deliver on these assurances.

India.

According to Andrew Malone writing in the Daily Mail, it is factual 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 transgenic 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 cotton. But because the quality of the Bt cotton is poor, the fibres are shorter, farmers are paid a reduced amount per kilo. So farmers who grow cotton have lower yields and get reduced returns on the Bt 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 cotton plants only beget infertile seeds. So even if the farmer does manage to gain even a low yield of cotton he can't utilize these seeds to plant next years crop but has to buy new seeds every year and these genetically engineered seeds are very expensive.

South Africa.

Farmers in three provinces -- North West, Free State and Mpumalanga, in South Africa -- have had up to eighty percent crop shortfall with three varieties of genetically engineered corn. Monsanto blamed the crop failures on a mistake in the laboratory, made during the seed fabrication process. Opponents of genetically modified foodstuffs, however, say that the science behind genetic modification is amiss.

Super-weeds.

Another disadvantage of growing genetically engineered crops that are made to be tolerant of glyphosate is that over time when crops are sprayed with the weed killer, the weeds also become resistant to the herbicide. 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 toxic and most popular of all herbicides then once a weed species becomes tolerant to it, it may be not easy to find a weed killer that will decimate the weeds but leave the food crop standing.

When farmers are finding their acreage infested with these super-weeds they are been advised to increase the amount of glyphosate they normally use on the food plants and if this does not fix the problem they are advised to add a assortment of different weed killers. So farmers end up by spraying the food crops with many diverse types of weed killers including ample amounts of glyphosate. Using more weed killers means more expenses and lower returns.

Georgia, United States.

The state of Georgia is being invaded, not by Triffids, but by pigweed (Palmer Amaranth). Over one-hundred thousand acres of arable land in Georgia is acutely 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 plants by hand. Other farmers are giving up and abandoning their land to the weeds.

Long Term Trends.

The evidence seems to suggest that growing genetically modified crops will eventually lead to lower yields and higher costs, which means eroded profits.

Hydroponics Farming - Appreciate Your Crops Throughout The Year
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.

Work From Home: Take It Or Dismiss A World Of Wealth?
There are many discussions about working at home and people who are in the discussions are confused about what a work at home business is and if a work from home business can really exist.

Make Good Money On The Internet With Your Own Website
You can easily make a fortune online with your own website. You can even have the website in a niche aligned to your interests as this would make it even more fun; earning as you do what you like best. This is exactly what this article will show you

A Famous Marketer Ought To Have Intrinsic Affiliate Marketing Qualities
To be able to succeed in the affiliate marketing industry, one must have certain affiliate marketing qualities. There is a lot of competition involved in affiliate marketing, and to be able to rise above the norm, one must be equipped with just the right stuff that is necessary to be propelled to the top.

Businessperson Tips For A Thriving Home Based Enterprise
Budding business people are always on the hunt for useful tips that they can use for their home-based business. More and more people now are interested in creating a home based business because of the endless opportunities available online, even unknowledgeable individuals.

HealthMate Infrared Saunas - Superior Saunas Built To Last
Owning a good quality sauna is essential to your well being and overall health. HealthMate infrared saunas are good for the body as well as for the soul.

Discover The Most Effectual Candida Supplements To Cure Yeast Infection
Candida supplements will work best in the early stages of Candida overgrowth. Capsules, tablets and even juices take the form of these supplements that not only help boost the immune system but aid in killing the yeast growing in the body.

Great Taste No Pain Review - I Would Not Imagine This Is Actually Such A Great Product
I was able to take Sherry's advice and apply it to my daily diet and found that all my digestive and stomach problems were quickly beginning to subside.