1.3 - GM crops

1.3 - GM crops

1. The Green Revolution: India

   • Resulted in record grain output of 131 million tonnes in 1978-79
     • Yield per unit of farmland improved by more than 30%
   • The Punjab
     • Grows 20% of India's wheat
     • GR = 200% increase productivity
     • '65 - feeds 12 on 2.5 acres
       • '07 - feeds 30 one same land
         • Nearly 3x increase
     • Big land owners benefit mostly
     • Intensive farming = soil degradation + water shortages
       • 1 million don't have access to safe water
       • Water shortages can cause food shortages
         • Fear of famine - leading to food insecurity
     • Countries importing food from a nation lacking water - taking virtual water - water footprint
     • Crude oil is also becoming increasingly important for food production - focus of crops is changing
       • E.g. 1 tomato uses up approx 1/3 of a litre of oil in a greenhouse

2. Advantages of GM crops

   • More food available - bigger harvests than 20 yrs ago
   • Bigger harvests = more income + occasionally cheaper food
   • Populous countries like India, Indonesia and Thailand
     • Self sufficient
     • No longer dependant on US + EU
   • Environmental impact of rural people lessened by urban migration
   • India + Thailand now export grain
     • Useful foreign export
   • Increased employment all year round

3. Disadvantages of GM crops

   • Bigger granaries storing more grain isn't enough
     • Distribution is still uneven
   • Farmers who can't afford GM - Crops lose value
     • Rich/Poor divide widened
   • Increased dependency on imported GM seeds, pesticides, machinery
   • New farming methods = increased water borne diseases, devpt of 'super-pests' and desertification
     • Eutrophication
     • Biodiversity lost
   • Imports of seeds, petrochemical fertilisers and fuel for machinery all costs foreign exchange
     • Control given to multinationals
   • Profits invested into machinery - reduced employment