The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

GMO Potential In Poorer Parts of the World

February 11, 2015

Over in the United States and parts of Europe, we tend to see anti-GMO activists complaining about safety and regulation of genetically modified foods while their bellies are full. These are the same activists that have a gluten-free breakfast every morning, chow down on their organic salads at lunch, and then indulge in a nice, filling – and humanely raised – dinner before snuggling up in their warm and comfortable beds.

But in many parts of the world, food doesn’t come so easily. Nor do people have the time or resources to necessarily worry about how that food was produced and whether it should be labeled a certain way. These are the places that could most benefit from biotechnology. Unfortunately, groups like Greenpeace have already shown up and spread their agenda of fear. (Why else would a mom allow her child to go blind when there’s a safe alternative?)

If we think science education in the United States is lacking, I imagine it isn’t much better in bitterly poor areas of Africa.

In any case, there are lots of opportunities for biotechnology to really improve the lives of lots of people in poorer parts of the world. For example, Golden Rice, which I wrote about a couple months ago. In fact, the United States House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee hosted a panel in July of 2014 to discuss the societal benefits of GMOs. The panel members identified 3 distinct examples of how biotechnology is helping people around the world. I’m sure there are lots more, but I looked a little deeper into those 3 examples and present them below.

India, Eggplant 

Eggplant, or “brinjal,” is a big deal in India. In fact, it is a staple in many traditional Indian dishes, including curry. Unfortunately, due to a changing climate, India has experienced a number of problems with growing sufficient quantities of eggplant. Pests and disease are rampant in the crop and have drastically reduced yields. At present, about 1.4 million Indian farmers cultivate brinjal, which requires 30-50 pesticide applications throughout the growing season. However, a genetically modified version of the eggplant, which uses the Bt gene, could be the solution to the problem. (I explained how the Bt trait works here.) Bt eggplant could drastically reduce the amount of pesticide applications necessary and help increase yields.

Genetically modified crops are not a new thing in India. In fact, the country has seen a lot of success with Bt cotton. After the Bt cotton was successfully introduced in the country, India benefited from higher yields and less applications of pesticides. It is now reported that 80% of the cotton in India employs the genetic modification. India is now the second largest producer of cotton in the world with 5 million Indian farmers producing Bt cotton.

But, predictably, there are lots of people spreading fear about the Bt eggplant in India. Critics have claimed that the government oversight and regulations are lacking in that country to keep the genetic traits in check (wait…don’t they say that about every country?). Of course, critics have also thrown out a lot of the other typical (and mostly unfounded) objections of corporate control and a lack of sufficient studies. In 2009, regulators in India approved the eggplant for commericial use. Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, Jairam Ramesh, the former Minister of Environment caved to the anti-GMO activists and put an indefinite moratorium on cultivation of the Bt eggplant.

(Sources: Reuters, Forbes) 

Uganda, Bananas

Since the 1960’s Uganda’s banana growers have been plagued by Xanthomonas wilt. The wilt causes the plants to ooze a thick yellow substance after being cut. Within a month of infecting the banana plants, this wilt can completely kill the plant. Unfortunately, the African climate allows the bacteria to spread easily and quickly. The worst part is that there is absolutely nothing the farmers in the area, many of which small stakeholders, can do to stop or prevent the disease from spreading.

Bananas are an important part of not only the Uganda economy, but also the diet of the people living there. Reportedly, people in Uganda generally eat three times their body weight in bananas each year. The wilt cases $500 million in annual losses. Over the last decade, the financial hit ranges between $2-8 billion.

Biotechnology to the rescue.

By transferring two genes from green peppers into the banana plant, Uganda scientists have figured out that the plant can become resistant to the disease. I absolutely love this line: “A GM banana that is resistant to a bacterial wilt disease, which causes $500 million in annual losses and cannot be treated with pesticides, is being tested behind high security fences. The fences are there not to keep out anti-GM protesters, as in the West, but to keep out local farmers keen to grow the new crop.” (Source: WSJ.) It gives me hope that farmers in Uganda can work with scientists to find a solution to this devastating problem.

(Sources: PromUSA, Meridian Institute, The Guardian)

Nigeria, Maruca Blackeyed Peas

Small-scale farmers fighting these pests generally see $300 million in annual losses. To combat the insect, farmers in Nigeria have to import $500 million worth of pesticides each year. But most farmers operate on a smaller scale and are unable to purchase any of the pesticides to protect their crops.

If you want to see what these lovely little creatures look like, check out this website.

Once again, genetic modification relied on the Bt trait to thwart the Maruca vitrata. The scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria developed a blackeyed pea variety resistant to the Maruca pod borer. The genetically modified version of the crop again contains the Bt protein which the bugs cannot consume.

Although anti-GMO activists attempted to scare the general public into not using this GE crops, President Goodluck Jonathan decided to sign legislation that would allow for their sale. Biotech crops should be sold commercially this year.

(Sources: The Guardian, WSJ, GMO Compass)
signature
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Biotechnology, Production Methods Tagged With: GMO, promoting ag, regulations, science, Uncategorized

Comments

  1. RANCE ADAMS says

    February 14, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    I realize not every situation and organism is the same; however as it relates to the GM mosquitoes being released in Florida, the USA has released GMO into the public at least 50-60 years ago. Most people don’t know about the scourge of screwworms in cattle years ago. To eradicate these pests Genetically Modified screwworm flies were released throughout most of the US. I believe these screwworms were exposed to some kind of radiation or x-rays which changed their DNA to make the males sterile. These in fact were GMO by definition. I’m all for public health yet we have technology that can help feed starving people around the world. Ignorant, belly filled, nothing else to do with their lives people want to hinder these things by saying the sky is falling with little to no proof or evidence.

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter

4 days ago
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Soy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions t.co/RnCHY7Ucwf

  • Reply
  • Retweet 0
  • Like 0
January 26, 2023
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Must. Watch. t.co/9AGqt7OsOh

  • Reply
  • Retweet 2
  • Like 9
January 23, 2023
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Chicken Little? Egg Prices Say Not-So-Fast t.co/nUlhjIDdvf

  • Reply
  • Retweet 0
  • Like 0

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

2 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Don't let anyone tell you that modern agriculture and a healthy ecosystem can't coexist. My latest for AGDAILY

... See MoreSee Less

Farm and butterflies can coexist. Research shows it's not a crazy idea | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

Finding ways for modern agriculture and monarch butterflies to coexist may keep these threatened insets off the Endangered Species List.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

4 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

As I've said before, agriculture is a leader in real sustainability. By the way, one hectare is about 2.5 acres.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter
shared a video from the playlist Science.

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

How to Feed a Nation

... See MoreSee Less


Video

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

I love agriculture + technology. ☕️

... See MoreSee Less

Can Science Finally Create a Decent Cup of Decaf?

slate.com

Coffee is a moody fellow.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

These mass tort cases--and the lawyers who bring them---are an absolute nightmare. While they once focused on pharmaceutical companies, they now have agriculture in their sights. And millions of consumers see advertisements about how dangerous crop-protection tools are, leading them to believe it's accurate.

... See MoreSee Less

Opinion: Trial lawyers target agriculture products in 'Judicial Hellholes'

www.agri-pulse.com

In this opinion piece, Tiger Joyce with the American Tort Reform Association discusses trial lawyers' focus on agriculture products.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Rent? What's a job? 🤔 #Mischa #labsofinstagram Rent? What's a job? 🤔

#Mischa #labsofinstagram #labs #dogs #dog #dogsofinstagram #puppyproblems #therentistoodamnhigh
As I've said before, agriculture is a leader in re As I've said before, agriculture is a leader in real sustainability. By the way, one hectare is about 2.5 acres. #farming #sustainableag #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #farmers #sustainableagriculturepractices #sustainable #agriculturelife #agricultureeducation #farm #farmer #soy #soyproduction #tofu #gmosoybeans #gmosoy
Look at that face! #dogs #doggielove #dogsofinst Look at that face! 

#dogs #doggielove #dogsofinstagram #Mischa #doggielove
This is the worst part about January. #holidayblue This is the worst part about January. #holidayblues
Obviously. 💅 #dogs #poutface #Mischa #blacklab Obviously. 💅

#dogs #poutface #Mischa #blacklab #dogsofinstagram #pittiemix #puppyproblems #wfh
For reference, a hectare is about 2.5 acres. #farm For reference, a hectare is about 2.5 acres. #farming #sustainableag #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #farmers #sustainableagriculturepractices #sustainable #agriculturelife #agricultureeducation #farm #farmer #soy #soybeans #soyfarmers
It's 2023. Let's start the new year making sure ev It's 2023. Let's start the new year making sure everyone knows these basic farm facts.

#agriculture #usagriculture #farmers #usfarmers #farming #farmfamilies #sustainableag #sustainableagriculture #sustainable #sustainability #farmerscare #homegrown #localagriculture #knowyourfarmer #shoplocal #madeintheusa #madeintheus #americanagriculture
Why make a resolution you'll break before Wednesda Why make a resolution you'll break before Wednesday? Instead choose a resolution you can accomplish: support farmers! The easiest way to do that is by consuming our products and reminding people to do the same.

Brag about your success: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-farmers-daughter-usa/

#NewyearGoals #NewYearNewMe #newyear2023
Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what this year Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what this year brings!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Go to mobile version