Apomixis: the plant breeder's dream by GRAIN | 26 Sep 2001 Seedling - September 2001 In discussions of the benefits genetic engineering can bring to small farmers, proponents love to point to apomixis - the production of cloned seed. This article examines apomixis research, and the main implications that transferring apomixis into crops may have for industry, farmers and the environment. It also looks at how the apomixis research agenda is being up led by the private sector through patent applications, licensing agreements and confidential research projects. In discussions of the benefits genetic engineering can bring to small farmers, proponents love to point to apomixis - the production of cloned seed. This article examines apomixis research, and the main implications that transferring apomixis into crops may have for industry, farmers and the environment. It also looks at how the apomixis research agenda is being up led by the private sector through patent applications, licensing agreements and confidential research projects.
FIELDS OF DREAMS: GENE TECH GOES SOUTH by GRAIN | 15 Sep 1998 Seedling - September 1998 The agrobusiness giants are dreaming of transforming huge tracts of South America into a Southern equivalent of the US Great Plains. Dreams are fast turning into reality as export revenues seduce governments into the game. The agrobusiness giants are dreaming of transforming huge tracts of South America into a Southern equivalent of the US Great Plains. Dreams are fast turning into reality as export revenues seduce governments into the game.
Biopiracy by another name? by GRAIN | 24 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Several years ago, an agreement was made between the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to protect the world's genetic resources - at least those tucked away in gene banks - from misappropriation and abuse. This important, but little talked about agreement, is up for renegotiation. What is the importance of this trusteeship agreement and where is it taking us? Several years ago, an agreement was made between the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to protect the world's genetic resources - at least those tucked away in gene banks - from misappropriation and abuse. This important, but little talked about agreement, is up for renegotiation. What is the importance of this trusteeship agreement and where is it taking us?
The past predicts the Future: GM crops and Africa's farmers by Devlin Kuyek | 18 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Africa has become the latest target for empire-building biotechnology companies. What will the introduction of GM crops mean for Africa, and its small farmers in particular? Is there any reason to believe that the new gene revolution' will be any more successful than the failed green revolution in Africa? This edited version of a new GRAIN briefing looks at the forces behind the push for Africa, asks whether GM crops are safe and questions the supposed benefits that some African farmers are anticipating. Africa has become the latest target for empire-building biotechnology companies. What will the introduction of GM crops mean for Africa, and its small farmers in particular? Is there any reason to believe that the new gene revolution' will be any more successful than the failed green revolution in Africa? This edited version of a new GRAIN briefing looks at the forces behind the push for Africa, asks whether GM crops are safe and questions the supposed benefits that some African farmers are anticipating.
India's new Seed Bill by GRAIN | 12 Jul 2005 Seedling - July 2005 A new Indian Seeds Bill in 2004 has been circulated by the government of India to overhaul the seed regulatory system. The stated objective of the proposed law is to regulate the seed market and ensure seeds of "quality". With the proposed changes the seed law would be harmonised with other seed laws around the world and ensure the Indian seed market is open to big business. This article clearly demonstrates that the losers are the millions of Indian small-scale farmers, whilst the winners are once again the transnational corporations. Whilst there is enormous pressure on the Indian government to embrace this new law, it is now time to ensure that voices in protest are heard. A new Indian Seeds Bill in 2004 has been circulated by the government of India to overhaul the seed regulatory system. The stated objective of the proposed law is to regulate the seed market and ensure seeds of "quality". With the proposed changes the seed law would be harmonised with other seed laws around the world and ensure the Indian seed market is open to big business. This article clearly demonstrates that the losers are the millions of Indian small-scale farmers, whilst the winners are once again the transnational corporations. Whilst there is enormous pressure on the Indian government to embrace this new law, it is now time to ensure that voices in protest are heard.
Sorghum: a crop to feed the world or to profit the industry? by GRAIN | 20 Apr 2007 Seedling - April 2007 When maize withers and rice shrivels, people in many parts of the world depend on sorghum. Apart from eating the grain, farmers can make beer and use the stalks to build houses and fences, as well as produce animal feed and medicine.They have nurtured and adapted sorghum for 5,000 years, and it has spread along trade routes from its origin in Ethiopia. GRAIN reports on Ethiopian wheat and sorghum farmers who recovered from famine and on Indian farmers who came through the Green Revolution to restore their food sovereignty. Their stories contrast starkly with biotechnologists’ plans to turn yet another food crop into an export commodity. When maize withers and rice shrivels, people in many parts of the world depend on sorghum. Apart from eating the grain, farmers can make beer and use the stalks to build houses and fences, as well as produce animal feed and medicine.They have nurtured and adapted sorghum for 5,000 years, and it has spread along trade routes from its origin in Ethiopia. GRAIN reports on Ethiopian wheat and sorghum farmers who recovered from famine and on Indian farmers who came through the Green Revolution to restore their food sovereignty. Their stories contrast starkly with biotechnologists’ plans to turn yet another food crop into an export commodity.
Sprouting Up: Contamination by GM maize found in nine states in Mexico by Sylvia Ribeiro | 11 Jan 2004 Seedling - January 2004 Studies undertaken by a number of NGOs in Mexico have found widespread genetic contamination of maize fields with genetically modified (GM) material in nine states: Chihuahua, Morelos, Durango, Mexico State, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. The analysis were carried on 2,000 plants (in 411 groups of samples), from 138 farming and indigenous communities. In 33 communities (24% of total samples), the tests found some presence of transgenes in native maize. The results show percentages of contamination that run from 1.5% to 33.3%, in a second round of analysis. Studies undertaken by a number of NGOs in Mexico have found widespread genetic contamination of maize fields with genetically modified (GM) material in nine states: Chihuahua, Morelos, Durango, Mexico State, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. The analysis were carried on 2,000 plants (in 411 groups of samples), from 138 farming and indigenous communities. In 33 communities (24% of total samples), the tests found some presence of transgenes in native maize. The results show percentages of contamination that run from 1.5% to 33.3%, in a second round of analysis.
Real problems, false solutions by Grupo de Reflexión Rural, Biofuelwatch, EcoNexus, NOAH (FoE Denmark) | 22 Oct 2009 Seedling - October 2009 Three activities – no-till agriculture, biochar and more intensified livestock farming with reduced methane emissions – are likely to benefit from increased funding because of their alleged role in combating global warming. What is the evidence that these activities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What will happen to the world’s biodiversity and the global climate if these sectors are hugely expanded? And who is likely to benefit? Three activities – no-till agriculture, biochar and more intensified livestock farming with reduced methane emissions – are likely to benefit from increased funding because of their alleged role in combating global warming. What is the evidence that these activities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What will happen to the world’s biodiversity and the global climate if these sectors are hugely expanded? And who is likely to benefit?
THE POTATO BLIGHT IS BACK by RAFI | 20 Oct 1995 Seedling - October 1995 The late potato blight, P. infestans, which was responsible for the Great Irish Famine last century, is back in a deadlier form and many fear that the short-sightness of breeders and governments may jeopardise the food security of the millions of Third World families for whom potatoes are an important staple crop. The late potato blight, P. infestans, which was responsible for the Great Irish Famine last century, is back in a deadlier form and many fear that the short-sightness of breeders and governments may jeopardise the food security of the millions of Third World families for whom potatoes are an important staple crop.
EX SITU CONSERVATION: WHEN THE FRIDGE BREAKS DOWN by GRAIN | 20 Jun 1996 Seedling - June 1996 The Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources recently published by FAO confirms what NGOs have been arguing for years: the seeds are not necessarily safe in the genebanks. The Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources recently published by FAO confirms what NGOs have been arguing for years: the seeds are not necessarily safe in the genebanks.
BARGAINING OVER THE BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY by GRAIN | 28 Oct 1993 Seedling - October 1993 "Biodiversity prospecting" is being tooted as a new and viable framework to marry conservation of biological diversity with sustainable development. In the past months alone, we have seen an explosion of books, studies, reports and articles discussing the concept of "bioprospecting" and how it can be implemented. Its proponents, who are boisterously trying to secure financial and political support for this approach, claim that Third World countries will not generate or reap economic benefit from their ecological treasures unless they learn how to market the goods. The negotiators of the Biodiversity Convention seem to be talking about nothing else than that. But marketing national biological resources -- once considered a global commons, free for the taking -- also means marketing indigenous peoples ' knowledge about them. This article explores some of the fundamental problems underlying this new push to commodify and commercialise the planet 's biological and ethnobotanical treasure chest. "Biodiversity prospecting" is being tooted as a new and viable framework to marry conservation of biological diversity with sustainable development. In the past months alone, we have seen an explosion of books, studies, reports and articles discussing the concept of "bioprospecting" and how it can be implemented. Its proponents, who are boisterously trying to secure financial and political support for this approach, claim that Third World countries will not generate or reap economic benefit from their ecological treasures unless they learn how to market the goods. The negotiators of the Biodiversity Convention seem to be talking about nothing else than that. But marketing national biological resources -- once considered a global commons, free for the taking -- also means marketing indigenous peoples ' knowledge about them. This article explores some of the fundamental problems underlying this new push to commodify and commercialise the planet 's biological and ethnobotanical treasure chest.
Corporate candyland by GRAIN | 28 Apr 2009 Seedling - April 2009 One of the most destructive developments in agriculture over the past two decades has been the boom in soya production in the southern cone of Latin America. The corporations that led that boom are now moving aggressively into sugar cane, focusing on large tracts of land in southern countries where sugar can be produced cheaply. If these developments are not resisted, the impacts are likely to be severe: local food production will be overrun, workers and communities will face displacement and exposure to increased levels of pesticides, and foreign agribusiness will tighten its grip on sugar production. We look at the intersection between the development of genetically modified (GM) sugar cane and transformations in the global sugar industry. One of the most destructive developments in agriculture over the past two decades has been the boom in soya production in the southern cone of Latin America. The corporations that led that boom are now moving aggressively into sugar cane, focusing on large tracts of land in southern countries where sugar can be produced cheaply. If these developments are not resisted, the impacts are likely to be severe: local food production will be overrun, workers and communities will face displacement and exposure to increased levels of pesticides, and foreign agribusiness will tighten its grip on sugar production. We look at the intersection between the development of genetically modified (GM) sugar cane and transformations in the global sugar industry.
New mega-treaty in the pipeline: what does RCEP mean for farmers’ seeds in Asia? by GRAIN | 7 Mar 2016 Corporations | Seeds In February 2016, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a controversial new trade agreement covering 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, was signed in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The result of a US-driven process, the agreement aims to boost trade and investment among a select group of countries—excluding China. The TPP will have a major impact on farmers’ access to and control over seeds. But there is another “mega” trade deal sneaking into Asia: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In this report, GRAIN looks at what RCEP might mean for farmers’ seeds in the region, in the context of the recently signed TPP. In February 2016, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a controversial new trade agreement covering 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, was signed in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The result of a US-driven process, the agreement aims to boost trade and investment among a select group of countries—excluding China. The TPP will have a major impact on farmers’ access to and control over seeds. But there is another “mega” trade deal sneaking into Asia: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In this report, GRAIN looks at what RCEP might mean for farmers’ seeds in the region, in the context of the recently signed TPP.
SOYBEAN: THE HIDDEN COMMODITY by GRAIN | 15 Jun 1997 Seedling - June 1997 Genetically-engineered herbicide-tolerant soybean gained worldwide public attention due to consumer opposition in Europe. As with many other crops, the soybean market is characterised by increasing consolidation of corporate control over it, specially through genetechnology R&D strategies. Genetically-engineered herbicide-tolerant soybean gained worldwide public attention due to consumer opposition in Europe. As with many other crops, the soybean market is characterised by increasing consolidation of corporate control over it, specially through genetechnology R&D strategies.
UPOV ON THE WAR PATH by GRAIN | 25 Jun 1999 Seedling - June 1999 Southern governments are being led to believe that they have to join the Union for the Protection of Plant Varieties in order to meet their TRIPs obligations, when there are many other options open. Southern governments are being led to believe that they have to join the Union for the Protection of Plant Varieties in order to meet their TRIPs obligations, when there are many other options open.
GENOMICS: WHOLE GENOME, TOTAL CONTROL by GRAIN | 15 Mar 2000 Seedling - March 2000 Bold promises are being made about the contributions plant genomics research will make towards feeding the world and even increasing agrobiodiversity. This critical assessment suggests otherwise. Bold promises are being made about the contributions plant genomics research will make towards feeding the world and even increasing agrobiodiversity. This critical assessment suggests otherwise.
Hybrid rice in China - A great yield forward? by GRAIN | 22 Jan 2007 Seedling - January 2007 Well over half of China’s total rice-growing area of some 15 million hectares is planted with rice hybrids, making the country by far the world’s largest producer of the crop. But little is known about the impact of the switch to hybrids. Are yields higher? Are farmers better off? Is the country losing its traditional rice varieties? Are farmers becoming dependent on the seed companies? GRAIN talked to rice farmers in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan to find out. Well over half of China’s total rice-growing area of some 15 million hectares is planted with rice hybrids, making the country by far the world’s largest producer of the crop. But little is known about the impact of the switch to hybrids. Are yields higher? Are farmers better off? Is the country losing its traditional rice varieties? Are farmers becoming dependent on the seed companies? GRAIN talked to rice farmers in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan to find out.
Convergence by GRAIN | 25 Oct 2005 Seedling - October 2005 Seedling approached a number of people working in different sectors and from different perspectives and get their views on the possibilities for convergence. Our ten-person panel includes people working in the fields of free and open software (FOSS), access to medicines, seeds, communications and the media. (large page - on slow connections, may take a while to download) Seedling approached a number of people working in different sectors and from different perspectives and get their views on the possibilities for convergence. Our ten-person panel includes people working in the fields of free and open software (FOSS), access to medicines, seeds, communications and the media. (large page - on slow connections, may take a while to download)