... village itself. With the advent of green revolution in the late sixties, the scenario has undergone a rapid transformation with majority of the inputs like seed, fertilizer and pesticide being purchased form external sources. Due to this farming systems have become unsustainable creating pressure on the farmers, some times leading to ... on pesticides (again 30 to 40% compared to local hybrids) were found to be responsible for opting towards Bt cotton. Propaganda by the seed dealer, who is the de facto counselor for the farmer, could also influence the farmers. Practical experiences rev...

• Word Count: 2919
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... type or a higher dose of what is currently being sprayed. To work alongside pesticides modern advances in industrial agriculture have created a new seed for crops called Genetically Modified Organisms, an unnatural and controversial topic. Basically the process is rearranging the plants DNA and certain genes through molecular ... the following public statement to the EPA protesting against GMO products: "Technology and stewardship agreements required for the purchase of genetically modified seed explicitly prohibit research. These agreements inhibit public scientists from pursuing their ...

• Word Count: 3733
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... technology. Indeed, it has created seeds that produce infertile crops. The introduction of this "terminator" or "suicide" gene (a seed type which can only be used because of its self-destructive features) into the genome of the seeds has been widely criticized by many different interest ... 1999). The suicide makes gene it necessary for farmers to buy seeds annually from the biotech company. This is a step away from the traditional seed saving practices used in most African agriculture. It creates a dependency upon biotech companies which is not in line with Africa's wish to become sel...

• Word Count: 3604
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography