ECONOMY  
AlterNet / By Tara Lohan
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 166

1,500 Indian Farmers Commit Mass Suicide: Why We Are Complicit in These Deaths

Crop failure may have pushed farmers over the edge, but American companies have been leading them to the cliff for years.
April 16, 2009  |  
 
 
LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?
Join our mailing list:

Sign up to stay up to date on the latest Economy headlines via email.

 
 
Advertisement
 
The headline has been hard to ignore. Across the world press, news media have announced that over 1,500 farmers in the Indian state of Chattisgarh committed suicide. The motive has been blamed on farmers being crippled by overwhelming debt in the face of crop failure.

The UK Independent reported:

The agricultural state of Chattisgarh was hit by falling water levels.

"The water level has gone down below 250 feet here. It used to be at 40 feet a few years ago," Shatrughan Sahu, a villager in one of the districts, told Down To Earth magazine.

"Most of the farmers here are indebted and only God can save the ones who do not have a bore well."

While many may have been shocked by these deaths, farmer suicides in India, and increasingly across the world, are not new.

In the last ten years, the problem has been reaching epidemic proportions. In one region of India alone 1,300 cotton farmers took their own lives in 2006, but the culprit cannot rest solely on a falling water table.

As the Independent article continues:

Bharatendu Prakash, from the Organic Farming Association of India, told the Press Association: "Farmers' suicides are increasing due to a vicious circle created by money lenders. They lure farmers to take money but when the crops fail, they are left with no option other than death."

But there's more to the story than that. Farmer suicides can be attributed to, "something far more modern and sinister: genetically modified crops," the UK's Daily Mail reports.

Shankara, like millions of other Indian farmers, had been promised previously unheard of harvests and income if he switched from farming with traditional seeds to planting GM seeds instead.

Beguiled by the promise of future riches, he borrowed money in order to buy the GM seeds. But when the harvests failed, he was left with spiraling debts -- and no income.

So Shankara became one of an estimated 125,000 farmers to take their own life as a result of the ruthless drive to use India as a testing ground for genetically modified crops.

And no company has been as notorious in the business as the U.S. agra-giant Monsanto. As Nancy Scola explained in a piece for AlterNet:

Here's the way it works in India. In the central region of Vidarbha, for example, Monsanto salesmen travel from village to village touting the tremendous, game-changing benefits of Bt cotton, Monsanto's genetically modified seed sold in India under the Bollgard® label. The salesmen tell farmers of the amazing yields other Vidarbha growers have enjoyed while using their products, plastering villages with posters detailing "True Stories of Farmers Who Have Sown Bt Cotton." Old-fashioned cotton seeds pale in comparison to Monsanto's patented wonder seeds, say the salesmen, as much as an average old steer is humbled by a fine Jersey cow.

Part of the trick to Bt cotton's remarkable promise, say the salesmen, is that Bollgard® was genetically engineered in the lab to contain bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium that the company claims drastically reduces the need for pesticides. When pesticides are needed, Bt cotton plants are Roundup® Ready -- a Monsanto designation meaning that the plants can be drowned in the company's signature herbicide, none the worse for wear. (Roundup® mercilessly kills nonengineered plants.)

Sounds great, right? The catch is that Bollgard® and Roundup® cost real money. And so Vidarbha's farmers, somewhat desperate to grow the anemic profit margin that comes with raising cotton in that dry and dusty region, have rushed to both banks and local moneylenders to secure the cash needed to get on board with Monsanto. Of a $3,000 bank loan a Vidarbha farmer might take out, as much as half might go to purchasing a growing season's worth of Bt seeds.

And the same goes the next season, and the next season after that. In traditional agricultural, farmers can recycle seeds from one harvest to plant the next, or swap seeds with their neighbors at little or no cost. But when it comes to engineered seeds like Bt cotton, Monsanto owns the tiny speck of intellectual property inside each hull, and thus controls the patent. And a farmer wishing to reuse seeds from a Monsanto plant must pay to relicense them from the company each and every growing season.

The cycle of debt continues into a downward spiral. And to be sure, water problems are adding to the crisis. In this most recent instance dam construction nearby was a significant contributor. While changes in water availability may be the jumping point for some farmers in India, it has been the globalization model of agriculture hyped by companies like Monsanto and Cargill that have led farmers to the cliff in the first place.

As renown physicist and anti-globalization activist Vandana Shiva (who has also fought against big dam construction) said in an interview with Democracy Now! in 2006:
A few weeks ago, I was in Punjab. 2,800 widows of farmer suicides who have lost their land, are having to bring up children as landless workers on others' land. And yet, the system does not respond to it, because there's only one response: get Monsanto out of the seed sector--they are part of this genocide -- and ensure WTO rules are not bringing down the prices of agricultural produce in the United States, in Canada, in India, and allow trade to be honest. I don't think we need to talk about free trade and fair trade. We need to talk about honest trade. Today's trade system, especially in agriculture, is dishonest, and dishonesty has become a war against farmers. It's become a genocide.


The recent mass suicide in India should be a wake up call to the rest of the world. The industrial agriculture model is literally killing our farmers.

  • 1
View as a single page
 
Tara Lohan is a managing editor at AlterNet.
Email
Print
Share
Post on reddit
Post on stumbleupon
Post on facebook
Post on digg
Post on twitter
Post on delicious
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Stay up to date with the latest Economy headlines via email
See more stories tagged with: farmer suicide, monstano, big ag

comments COMMENTS ( 166 )
READ COMMENTS
LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST A COMMENT
 

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is the Devil
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hedgewytch on Apr 16, 2009 2:27 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monsanto Corp is an Evil, Evil entity. I'm almost inclined to think even more so than the industrial war companies, at least they are upfront about their mission to kill people. Monsanto sneeks in and takes everything from people and communities; their land, millienia old varieties of plants, destroy the local economy, their health, the land and water's health, and on and on, all while promising untold riches and wealth.

AND IT'S ALL LIES!

And honor and tradition say that the men must suicide-how abhorent and illogical. They take the cowardly way out and leave the women and the children behind to suffer as usual. Because the men feel powerless they leave some of the most powerless people behind to try to survive and pick up the pieces. Goddess help you Widows; you're gonna have to do it for yourselves! For the UN and the WTO won't be helping you. (You can thank NAFTA for that)

India isn't alone in suffering at the hands of Monsanto Corp. Mexico is loosing its heirloom varieties of corn, we in the US are being force fed GM sugar beets as well as canola and soy. And the list goes on and on.

If there is any company in the world that should have it's patents and charters revoked, and I can think of a few, it's this Monsanto. Monsanto's BOD and CEO's all ought be brought up before the widows of India who can determine what kind of justice they deserve. At the very least the company is guilty of huge environmental justice crimes, fraud, strong-arm intimidation tactics, patent violations, and I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Monsanto is the Devil Posted by: Aquinas

Comments are closed-

Man, I feel sorry for those farmers out there and all over the world dying like that.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Sports Warrior Casey Jones on Apr 16, 2009 2:36 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As long as we have Big Government, the UN, and other criminal government agencies subidizing such agri-business, all I can say is people, you need to be armed and prepared. The multinationals will only get worse. Get out there and be a vigilante. By the way, I hear India has very strict gun control which may explain some of this mess in addition to the terrorist attacks in that nation. Man, I love those Indian chicks in saris and those skin-tight clothings !

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» That's a real stretch Posted by: HeroesAll
» RE: That's a real stretch Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: General Strike. . . Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Very strange train of thought Posted by: Grandma Crabby

Comments are closed-

I'm not understanding
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Defenestrator on Apr 16, 2009 3:14 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's obviously a horrible thing however it happened, and Indian farmers have been committing suicide at a terrible rate for a long time, but I am not sure I am understanding what happened. All of the reports say "mass suicide" which by definition means they all did it at the exact same time, in an organized fashion, like a protest. Is that what happened? I have not seen any reports which state this explicitly, but all the headlines are using the term "mass suicide."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It means a lot of suicides. Posted by: Parcival01

Comments are closed-

Monsanto? Water problems? Make up your mind!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AJR Journal on Apr 16, 2009 3:35 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monsanto is blameless!
Given equal conditions, Monsanto seeds will out-perform traditional seeds. If they don't, no farmers will buy them. Farmers (everywhere) need increased yield or lower per-unit costs in order to justify the additional investment.
It is as simple as that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» That is because they are hybrids. Posted by: AJR Journal
» Well, the Nazis "worked" too. Posted by: Parcival01
» RE: That is because they are hybrids. Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Blameless? BULLSHIT! Posted by: Centavo
» Tell your Mom I said "Hi" Posted by: AJR Journal
» Someday, you will understand. Posted by: AJR Journal
» I have no skin in this game. Posted by: AJR Journal
» RE: Someday, you will understand. Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Monsanto is an MNC not a local company ! Posted by: JenniferBedingfield

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is such a disgrace and a total embarassment to have headquartered out here in St Louis.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Apr 16, 2009 5:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I hope to find plenty of people who will be ready to protest this company and get our local and state government to hold this company accountable, tough as it may be at first. Just like Big Auto giving Detroit a bad name, Monsanto is no doubt giving St Louis a bad name as well. This St Louis resident apologizes to all victims of Monsanto. Furthermore, I will continue to call for cutting down government subsidizations to big agri companies such as this one.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Millions against Monsanto Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Millions against Monsanto Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

chemical agribusiness unveiled
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wrinklemomma on Apr 16, 2009 7:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Everything wrong in India can be traced to the arrogant monopoly of chemical agribusiness. They have seeds only available through them, the seeds are sterile, so you can't save them, you have to buy new- from them. The seeds are for crops that shouldn't be grown in your specific region ( too little water, too hot, too cold- whatever). Then, they want you to add tons of expensive chemicals to soil that has lost its nutrients, beneficial insects, and water-holding properties due to too much chemical crap being used on it. Agribusiness is 100% to blame for ALL of this. We can't fight nature- we always lose. Oraganic, low-till/no-till, sustainable farming practices with region-adaptated crops from time-tested open-pollinated seeds stocks are the ONLY THING that will feed the world. Stop trying to grow rice in a desert, or wheat where it isn't native. It NEVER was nice to fool Mother Nature.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.
» My baseball bat can fix that. Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: My baseball bat can fix that. Posted by: wrinklemomma
» Hey, don't know the dingo! Posted by: HeroesAll

Comments are closed-

There is no news
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Apr 17, 2009 11:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All news of problems with Monsanto's product line is blacked out in the MSM. Reporters have wound up in oblivion for trying to cover not only what they're doing in India, but how they are terrorizing farmers here in the US. I noticed this morning that Monsanto has joined Homeland Security as an underwriter of NPR news. Once on PBS I saw a "panel discussion" about GMO crops, and two of the people on the panel were pro-GMO, the third on the fence, with NOBODY to talk about how peoples lives have been ruined by GMO crops, how those crops threaten the genetic diversity and thus the resilience of the world's staple crops, what Monsanto's stuff does to the environment, and how the GMO foods are, at the very least, allergenic when ingested by humans, and at worst, poisonous. It's been years since I first read an article about how the gene inserted to stop a fruit pox will just cause a different kind of pox to pop up, and so on.

Monsanto's underwriting blurb on NPR speaks of seed "designed to increase yields" when, in fact, increasing yield is still a pipe dream which has never once panned out in reality.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» And now I understand Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: And now I understand Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

And Where is Our Great Community Organizer?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DrBrian on Apr 16, 2009 9:35 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's a commentary on Obama's much touted intelligence, ethics and judgment that he's gleefully forking over trillions of dollars to the very rich, avaricious, sleazy Wall Street campaign contributors who created the worldwide economic catastrophe but unwilling to expend even a small amount to help their most tragic, vulnerable victims.

Here in Bangladesh our hospital, and my ICU, are overflowing with severely malnourished children struggling to survive. I see firsthand and daily the tragic toll the greedy elite is taking and the ethical bankruptcy of our response.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
» ds1st is a corn-fed dog breath to learn anything. LOL ! Posted by: Sports Warrior Casey Jones
» Thankyou, DrBrian, for your humaneness Posted by: paulmagillsmith
» RE: WTF You imbecile. Posted by: sasquuatch55

Comments are closed-

Perfect plan
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Schnookums on Apr 17, 2009 1:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Use banks to create unserviceable debt, you mortgage the land hoping to get ahead, you default, big agribusiness has new land attained at a very good price, and then use mechanization to exploit the land for all it is worth...concentrating profit. Very efficient, cheaper than trying to buy the land outright, and no hostile actions involved. The only blood shed is by their own hands. And everyone gets cheap T-shirts and rice...which is good because you can't afford anything else. The race to the bottom is on!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

monsanto
[Report this comment]
Posted by: heide on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
apparently doesnt get this little thing called KARMA................or put another way .. you reaps what u sow,,no pun intended
grrrrrr monsanto

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

plenty of H20 for golf course but not for farmers
[Report this comment]
Posted by: katjac2 on Apr 17, 2009 5:39 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The new Tiger Woods Gold Course in Dubai requires four million gallons of water to be pumped on to its grounds every day.
Read,"Dubai's Lesson to America: How the Middle East's Shangrai La Became a Hell on Earth" .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

"We Are Complicit in these Deaths"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN on Apr 17, 2009 5:48 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well then~~those of you at alternet ought to also committ suicide.
After all, YOU just admitted you are complicit in this.

I won't as, I wasn't there, NEVER was there and never spoke to one of those farmers.

Attempting to guilt someone into something doesn't work when they do NOT have any REAL part in something.

Hmmm, maybe EVERYONE named "lohan" ought to do it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You ARE "complicit"... Posted by: buffeliscious

Comments are closed-

Multinationals- RICO, Treason, War Crimes & Crimes against Humanity
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Purple Girl on Apr 17, 2009 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's not just Agriculture, it's all means of Production. They move from country to country scamming the citizens and using them as cheap slave labor until a they find the next Virgin to defile.
Have you seen the Devastation to The Rust Belt from 3 decades ago?
Can you figure out why the Drug Cartels in Mexico are so prolific? Why people would be willing to jeporadize their lives and their families to work for these blood thristy organizations?
As soon as these Corps were granted access to the Asia labor market- where wages were even cheaper and Worker/Human rights did not exist- they moved on. And left in their wake a desperate population, seeking any means to make a buck. Cross a desert trying to avoid robbery, hyperthermia or murder. Cross a River- hoping not to drowned or get shot. Or work near home for the Drug cartel and hope to god they didn't decide you were inept, a snitch or a liability.
and what did those 'Teabaggers' do...they protested the Gov't. Not the Corps who've shipped out their jobs & increased prices to secure their own Huge Profit margins and top Brass Comp pkgs. Why weren't these idiots on Exxons Lawn? Eli Lilly? AIG? B of A? what about those Ag Corps who've been infecting our food supply with food borne illness? Nope they made their stand at the State Capitols, Crying for more Tax cuts to assure less oversight and regulatory restraints.Ya lets get rid of the Gov't- they hinder those poor abused Corps ability to subjegate the masses.
Granted we have plenty of 'Pocket politicians' but it is useless to protest them and let the Corps who Line their Pockets get off scott free.Get rid of that Poltiician and the Corps will just bribe the next one who takes their place.We need to go after these corps not only with RICO statutes but also with Crimes against Huamnity. Their political dealing are clearly Treasonous- ways to undermine 'We the peoples' control over our Democracy and our Free market. But they have also instigated international conflicts and perpetuated human rights crimes.
Those Teabag Demonstration let the Corps off the hook by laying blame on the Gov't. it about as deceptive as Santelli laying the blame on Homebuyers for this widespread economic collapse. Housing was just the symptomatic lesion, not the insideous Disease.
So what's the Common denominator between the suicidal Famrmers in India and the numerous Murder/suicides of home owners here in the US- Underlying Business models and agendas. Suckered into Debt, then loss of income. ya think there might be a Wide Spread ideology at work which Spans international borders?How do you build a global indentured slavery class (cheap labor) keep them desperately lean & Hungry and in Debt. Best when you give them a Taste first, then take it away- keeps them motivated in the hope of recapturing it. A sadistic form of mental torture. Even better when you can pit them against each other, while you enjoy the riches and stay above the Fray.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

BA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mnstra on Apr 17, 2009 7:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hopefully we will read someday soon mass suicides on Wall street.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: BA . Thats redneck mentality Posted by: Caleb Darkstar

Comments are closed-

Thank you Alternet for bringing this issue to the forefront when even the Indian media won't do so.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Apr 17, 2009 7:39 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
While I was born here in America, my parents came from India and I have visited the country from time to time. I know a lot of folks have misunderstood a lot of the folks back in India but I understand completely. India and America actually have a lot more in common than most folks realize. What has happened to most of the farmers in this country is what is going on in India. A few years ago one of my uncles was one such victim who committed suicide as a result of the hostile takeover by the agribiz nuts and I'm still trying to overcome the trauma. His wife died one week after he committed suicide as she could not get over her emotional grief.

I am also deeply ashamed that even as farmers are pushed off their lands and forced to commit suicide in many cases, those farmers who knowingly let companies like Monsanto write them off shamelessly take the cash and with their children act like rich big shots. And they don't even care that those around them are hardly fortunate.

And just like it happened in this country, it appears that in India, more kids are getting addicted to the overprocessed junk foods and the healthcare costs are soaring. In the meantime, people who are trying to offer healthy alternatives are attacked by terrorists or unfairly arrested by the police for supposedly selling illegal stuff. The good news is that there is an uprising back home and more Indians are aware of the anti-Indian media bias in their own country and the corrupt politicians in India and America. Thank God for the Internet where I can get a variety of news both in terms of the USA and other countries around the globe.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

unfreeinus
[Report this comment]
Posted by: losingmyliberties on Apr 17, 2009 7:43 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I wonder why people,are that way on so many issues.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» BUSTED!! Posted by: leafmen
» No, I just made fun of her. Posted by: GrantBurkeVT
» oh yeah... Posted by: leafmen

Comments are closed-

Whatever happened to Who What Where & How?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: valstory on Apr 17, 2009 7:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The trouble with newspapers is much more than a problem of print, paper and salaries. they also seem to have given up the basics of journalism as the recent story of the "mass suicide" in India illustrates. I have been following this story for several days now across several different blogs and aggregators and the situation is still very unclear. Were these suicides committed the same day, over the same growing season, over several years?

I agree with the various authors that the number of deaths is awful and that the changeover to western style "green revolution" agriculture methods including massive irrigation and gm seeds seem to be implicated. Unfortunately, the articles I've seen assume far too much background knowledge on the part of the reader and do little to truly illuminate the situation. Please try to find a link that actually covers the basics. Your faithful readers would appreciate it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Would it really matter?... Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

The corporations concocting these GMO foods are putting the entire world in danger!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Apr 17, 2009 8:25 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporations concocting these GMO foods are putting the entire world in danger!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Absolutely disgusting...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Tweck9 on Apr 17, 2009 8:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Pay to use seeds shed from plants you grew??? Dispicable behavior. That's absolutely foul.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

There's more to the story ...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: stellabloo on Apr 17, 2009 10:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
UK Daily Mail article on the GM genocide

Here's some points not covered in the alternet article:

"... GM seeds contain so-called 'terminator technology', meaning that they have been genetically modified so that the resulting crops do not produce viable seeds of their own."

So there are no seeds to save for the next harvest and the use of Round-Up makes the land unsuitable for other crops anyway. The alternet article also fails to mention that GM cotton uses twice as much water as regular cotton, actively creating drought in areas where the water supply is already limited.

"Indeed, in a bid to promote the uptake of GM seeds, traditional varieties were banned from many government seed banks."

And FINALLY, Prince Charles has for once in his life done something completely praiseworthy - Di would have been proud - he has "infuriated bio-tech leaders and some politicians by condemning 'the truly appalling and tragic rate of small farmer suicides in India, stemming... from the failure of many GM crop varieties'.

"Ranged against the Prince are powerful GM lobbyists and prominent politicians.

"Prince Charles is so distressed by the plight of the suicide farmers that he is setting up a charity, the Bhumi Vardaan Foundation, to help those affected and promote organic Indian crops instead of GM."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Just so you know, Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Just so you know, Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» Prince Charles Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Prince Charles Posted by: aonghus36

Comments are closed-

BAILOUT TARGETS TO ERADICATE SMALL/MED BUSINESS & AMERICAN DREAM---PART A
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SassyFrassy on Apr 17, 2009 11:02 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This stimulus specifically targets the small/med business sectors and will eradicate and obliterate the small/med business sectors from the America landscape AND AGRICULTURE LANDSCAPE

In additon to the gravy-training of the BIG business sector which will bankrupt this Nation.

1. it has targeted to inflict Higher and more stringent taxes on already over-burdened small business sectors.

2. it targets to inflict Harsher and more stricter rules and regulations on already over-uburdened small/med business sectors to make it IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to even think about starting and making even a tiny profit in the business arena.

3. As you know this past year to present they have been wanting to make it so no BIG BUSINESS can be sued for STEALING OR INFRINGING on anyone's innovations and ideas.

4 RIGHT NOW also SMALL/MED business agri-businesses are being targeted as well because bailout out will push small/med bussiness plus small/med agri-business out of existence forever.


In additon to public (whom ususally comprises the small/med business sectors known as Mom& pop business boutiques the genral public small enterprises which are the wheels which fuel our 'healthy' economy and are the legs this Nation stands on) being FORCED to keep their own small/med business afloat in this horrible economy (which we didn't create) the PUBLIC and small med/business sectors are being FORCED to keep the BIG BUSINESS engorged deliberately to break the backs of our FREE ENTERPRISE system.

5. IN ADDITION, WASH DC SLUGS want to make it ILLEGAL for PUBLIC RESIDENCES to grow their OWN VEGGIE'S, AND PRODUCE.

6. IN ADDITION, WASH DC SLUGS want to FORCE public to eat GENETICALLY MODIFIED PRODUCE GROWN WITH PESTICIDES. IT will wipe out the SMALL/MED BUS & AGRI BUS AND ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE sectors.

WE all know that anyone especially those with allergies need organically grown foods. WELL, WASH DC SLUGS WANT to eradicate them from the economic landscape.


Everyone knows that RIGHT NOW you or i or any "regular' public joe with small/med business could never go into any bank and obtain a loan to throw away on parties or pay exec perks etc with the companies NOT even showing a profit. So, why should big business.

No wonder all those big companies cannot wait to get their hands on taxpayer funds to throw away. this stimulus creates an door for the big business getting the opportunity to MUSCLE out and eradicate the small business/med business sectors from the landscape and to keep small/med business from every getting a chance to be able to exist at all in the marketplace for all time.

it took ACORN and DEMS 9 years to bring on the meltdown now this new bailout THROWS more money at them so they will be the bottomless moneypit drain on public funds. WANNA know what happened to all those low income ACORN homes??? they are all boarded up. WHILE our economy is still reeling from the effects of DEMS CONSTANT bad fiscal policies.

It's important the PUBLIC seek LEGAL AND legislative action to OPPOSE THE BAILOUT.

We must force these business to pay every dime back IN A TIMELY FASHION and restore these businesses to the PUBLIC SECTOR without bailout access so that the SMALL bus/med business sector & anyone can participate in FREE ENTERPRISE.

Do it for your children's sake otherwise there will be no hope for any young couple in love whom wishes to think about getting married and starting a new business and make it profitably work. IT WILL NEVER BE POSSIBLE IF THE PUBLIC doesn't show their determination to protect their CONSTITUTION. IN ADDITION, the 99 PERCENT of the public 'needs" to seek LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE action to OPPOSE THE BAILOUT AND STIMULUS.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The mass suicide of farmers has been ongoing and yet not enough people are waking up.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Benn_Miller on Apr 17, 2009 11:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a matter of fact, I notice a lot of mean spirited attacks such as from ds1st and AJR Journal against Indians themselves. We may not like it that a lot of our jobs are going to India but we have no right to make fun of their suffering. Another interesting pattern that was brought up earlier in this discussion is that in every society where small farmers die en masse, junk foods become more mainstream and the obesity and healthcare costs go up. We really need to take our local farmers seriously and work towards shutting down the agri-business greed that's pervading the planet.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

DEMS TARGET TO ERADICATE SMALL/MED BUS SECTORS & AMERICAN DREAM--PART B
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SassyFrassy on Apr 17, 2009 11:09 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Then WASH DC slugs have the nerve to claim 500.00 bucks will "help"?? that won't even buy groceries for MONTH for most USA.

WASH DC SLUGS think that a couple of bucks is all it takes to DESTROY the USA freedoms and free enterprise and peoples health and DISMANTLE it's entire economic structure a sector at a time??? Do they think the USA is a bargain basement shop?!!!

To the present it's only one of the 1 % group of people attempting to destroy our Nation's economic systems.

WHY??? It was said to a WASH DC VIP---that the reason the Socialists think they will win this time and are doing this is because ACLU and their DEMS SLUGS -- they don't think American's are " smart enough" to care to let their fingers do the walking to protect their lands, their CONSTITUTION or their freedoms. The DEMS and ACLU don't think the 99% of American's will be 'smart enough" to CARE about their country, their homes, their small business enough to kick the WASH DC SLUGS out and send them packing by way of Balagovich for NOT doing what is right to protect PUBLIC freedoms and the free enterprise system (ie meaning small business/med business) and rights.

Therefore, they want to make sure they take all freedoms away from the public and they want to make it impossible for FREE ENTERPRISE to exist for the small business and mid business and sole proprietorship thru gravytraining BIG BUSINESS bankrupting our Nation and MUSCLING OUT the small/med sole proprietorships, and creating a welfare state. A move straight out of the marxist handbook. and by attempting to eradicate free speech.

Then, we will be SOCIALIST/GLOBALIST/MARX/FACIST/COMM COUNTRY and the marketplace will be MONOPOLIZED AND DOMINATED by the ENGORGED 1 or 2 or several big businesses in sector. Gone will be the hope for any American whom would wish to start a business and earn profit to live on. And.. all those unhealthy pesticides and gm produce will make PUBLIC SICK whaaat do they care---the new STIMULUS?...if you are X percent sick... they will let you DIE.

THE NEW SOC STIMULUS says that if YOUR CHILD needs antibiotics and the GOV only wants to give them aspirin or NOTHING.... GUESS WHAAAT they will get aspirin or nothing so the GOV CAN POCKET THE CASH.

Ben Franklin left some thoughts on this--

“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” -- Benjamin Franklin

however,Thomas Jefferson pretty well covered much about our situation today in two quotes made by him over 200 years ago. Our founders fathers feared what we are living today:

1. "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

2. "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."*

PUBLIC must seek legislative and legal action (don't allow yourselves to be put off) to kickout stimulus and bailout see American Center for Law and Justice and The National Center for Public POLICY Research and CIVIC COUNCIL thomas Cromwell

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Another side effect
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hilaryuk on Apr 17, 2009 12:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
GM crops encourage and accelerate the trend to monoculture and the dwindling of subsistance farming. Subsistance farming is environmentally sustainable and feeds an awful lot of people. On top of that, as corporate or large scale agriculture becomes more widespread, it diminishes the supply of food resources on unfarmed land - usually green leafy foods that have previously supplied a lot of the vitamins and trace elements necessary to a balanced diet. So globalisation and the wonders of western-type agricultural organisation lead to more hunger, more people forced off their land and into the overcrowded city slums and an unstable and unbalanced society. India was never Shangri La and certainly needed to change, but why does the chimira of modernisation always make the poor poorer in real terms? So far the most popular solution concocted by their politicians is to get the Hindus to blame the Muslims and vice versa - hate is always a useful tool, isn't it?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Another side effect Posted by: Bliss Doubt

Comments are closed-

Mike
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tolo87 on Apr 17, 2009 1:31 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
OMG they did commit suicide? Gross

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Mass economic suicide is terrible.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: abusedbypenguins on Apr 17, 2009 6:11 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If each of the farmers had taken a monsanto salesman with them then the problem would be solved.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Amen! Posted by: NYmediator

Comments are closed-

India was an economic/political mess 500 years ago
[Report this comment]
Posted by: billwald on Apr 17, 2009 6:46 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What have they learned since the East India Company was organized and the Brits were allowed to take over 300 years ago?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

IF CORPROATIONS LIKE MONSANTO AND NESTLE ARE LEFT UNCHECKED THEY WILL DESTROY THE EARTH AND US
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Apr 17, 2009 10:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporations are run by immoral, greedy psychopaths who have no regard for human life. Left unchecked and above the law they will destroy us and the Earth, There is now 6 times more plastic in our oceans then Plankton, vast parts of our oceans are dying. Wildlife and fish are eating plastic and dying and we are consuming chemicals and pesticides while Europe is dumping radioactive waste off the waters in Somalia. There is a lot more to this story then pirates. Fish are dying and people are being posioned, and dying in India and so are we. just like us. Nestle is buying up land rich with water all over the US and selling millions of gallons as water tables fall. Watch the documentary on movies on demand on Comcast Flow: For The Love Of Water and see what these horrible busineses are doing. We are all in peril because of mindless corproations, whether it be oil, water or plastic, our Earth and our future is in crisis. It will be Easter Island all over again, except this time the Island is Earth. Send out the call, scream out to those who supposedly represent us. They stood by while Standard & Poors knowingly sold worthless paper, making billions and AIG was willing to bring down nations knowing we would be blackmailed and have to bail them out - these are entities that are mindless destroyers and they must be stopped by us. So call and get rid of those Democrats and Re[ublicans who we vote for but work for the corporations. Its a big Ponzi scheme. Take from us and give nothing but destruction back.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Vandava Shiva
[Report this comment]
Posted by: aonghus36 on Apr 17, 2009 11:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is at least one glimmer of hope in India by the name of Vandava Shiva. She has an organization called Navdanya. Here is what this organization is about,"Introduction to Navdanya
Navdanya started as a program of the Research Foundation for science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), a participatory research initiative founded by world-renowned scientist and environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva, to provide direction and support to environmental activism.

1984 was the year of the Punjab Violence and the Bhopal tragedy. This violence demanded a paradigm shift in the practice of agriculture. Navdanya was born of this search for nonviolent farming, which protects biodiversity, the Earth and our small farmers.

Navdanya means nine crops that represent India's collective source of food security. The main aim of the Navdanya biodiversity conservation programme is to support local farmers, rescue and conserve crops and plants that are being pushed to extinction and make them available through direct marketing.

Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic negineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation.

It has its own seed bank and organic farm spread over an ares of 20 acres in Uttranchal, north India." Their web site is at http://www.navdanya.org/index.htm

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fox News, Take 1
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dkm on Apr 18, 2009 11:59 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The logic behind this attempt to blame GM seeds for the suicides in India bears a strong resemblance to the logic that pours forth from the likes of Beck, Hannity and O'Reilly. Think a moment. Suppose the seeds that the money changers were pushing had been developed by standard methods. Does anyone in their right mind think the results would be any different? The crops would still have failed (due to lack of rain and lack of water for irrigation) and the farmers would still owe the moneylenders and they would still be in the same position they are now. That some of the seeds they bought were GM is totally and completely irrelevant to the present situation.

At one time I thought that only the right wingnutters were incapable of rational thought and that the progressives charted their course by the light of the evidence and logic. I have since seen what happens when the subject of magical thinking as related to food production comes up. There is absolutely no difference between wingnutters on the right and wingnutters on the left. It's sort of like the Islamic and Christian Talibans, no essential difference in the attitudes, only in the names they give to their guiding star. Different names, same star.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Fox News take, indeed. Posted by: Bliss Doubt

Comments are closed-

Has this reporter ever BEEN to a farm.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Caleb Darkstar on Apr 21, 2009 10:19 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What tripe! I grew up on a farm, There have been genetically engineered seeds since I was a child, I'm nearly 50 years old. They call them hybrids.

Most of the food you and I eat every day has been developed through hybrid seed technology that allows for larger yields. THATS HOW WE FEED THE WORLD.

There is no genetic key that must be unlocked (pure rubbish), 2nd generation hybrids usually do not grow. And if they do they have become incestuous and reverted back to one of the originating strains. Its not brain science.

When my father would purchase hybrid corn seed he would get a sample and try a test run the year prior to changing over. Again, simple stuff.

Later in life, a friend and I flew to Amsterdam and purchased some hybrid seed of another type "oh yea". The first thing the guy told us. "Only good for one year, Two tops". He was right.

This is not so much a case of dihonesty as it is a case of ignorance on the part of the farmers. And suicide is an extreme reaction to a bad yield. There was about 6 words that caught my attention (A dam being built causing drought). Hey that may be your problem.

Besides, why would Monsanto be interested in seeing dead farmers? They hurt your repeat business stats.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is not Obama
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeaderofMen on Apr 23, 2009 4:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here is a real article for a change. Instead of focusing attention on how 'inept' Obama is, let's go after a real culprit on the world scene, that is as bad as the proven malicious Bush administration.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Not a Monsanto Problem
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RuthDBWalker on Apr 23, 2009 5:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Something doesn't add up here. The original article in The Independent World at the link said, "'The crop is so bad this year that we will not even be able to save any seeds,' said Lakhnu's friend Santosh. 'There were no rains at all.'"

Little as I like Monsanto, since they had planned to save seeds, the problem was not Monsanto! They would not have been planning to save Monsanto seeds.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Extra Yields?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Sebastian2005 on May 15, 2009 3:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It might sound naive....but when these Monsanto seed are high yielding, there is also an extra benefit for the farmer right? So apart from the investment into new seeds he will have extra revenues which he can buy seeds from for the next season. Or am I missing something out?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is the Devil
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hedgewytch on Apr 16, 2009 2:27 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monsanto Corp is an Evil, Evil entity. I'm almost inclined to think even more so than the industrial war companies, at least they are upfront about their mission to kill people. Monsanto sneeks in and takes everything from people and communities; their land, millienia old varieties of plants, destroy the local economy, their health, the land and water's health, and on and on, all while promising untold riches and wealth.

AND IT'S ALL LIES!

And honor and tradition say that the men must suicide-how abhorent and illogical. They take the cowardly way out and leave the women and the children behind to suffer as usual. Because the men feel powerless they leave some of the most powerless people behind to try to survive and pick up the pieces. Goddess help you Widows; you're gonna have to do it for yourselves! For the UN and the WTO won't be helping you. (You can thank NAFTA for that)

India isn't alone in suffering at the hands of Monsanto Corp. Mexico is loosing its heirloom varieties of corn, we in the US are being force fed GM sugar beets as well as canola and soy. And the list goes on and on.

If there is any company in the world that should have it's patents and charters revoked, and I can think of a few, it's this Monsanto. Monsanto's BOD and CEO's all ought be brought up before the widows of India who can determine what kind of justice they deserve. At the very least the company is guilty of huge environmental justice crimes, fraud, strong-arm intimidation tactics, patent violations, and I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Monsanto is the Devil Posted by: Aquinas

Comments are closed-

Man, I feel sorry for those farmers out there and all over the world dying like that.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Sports Warrior Casey Jones on Apr 16, 2009 2:36 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As long as we have Big Government, the UN, and other criminal government agencies subidizing such agri-business, all I can say is people, you need to be armed and prepared. The multinationals will only get worse. Get out there and be a vigilante. By the way, I hear India has very strict gun control which may explain some of this mess in addition to the terrorist attacks in that nation. Man, I love those Indian chicks in saris and those skin-tight clothings !

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» That's a real stretch Posted by: HeroesAll
» RE: That's a real stretch Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: General Strike. . . Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Very strange train of thought Posted by: Grandma Crabby

Comments are closed-

I'm not understanding
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Defenestrator on Apr 16, 2009 3:14 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's obviously a horrible thing however it happened, and Indian farmers have been committing suicide at a terrible rate for a long time, but I am not sure I am understanding what happened. All of the reports say "mass suicide" which by definition means they all did it at the exact same time, in an organized fashion, like a protest. Is that what happened? I have not seen any reports which state this explicitly, but all the headlines are using the term "mass suicide."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It means a lot of suicides. Posted by: Parcival01

Comments are closed-

Monsanto? Water problems? Make up your mind!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AJR Journal on Apr 16, 2009 3:35 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monsanto is blameless!
Given equal conditions, Monsanto seeds will out-perform traditional seeds. If they don't, no farmers will buy them. Farmers (everywhere) need increased yield or lower per-unit costs in order to justify the additional investment.
It is as simple as that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» That is because they are hybrids. Posted by: AJR Journal
» Well, the Nazis "worked" too. Posted by: Parcival01
» RE: That is because they are hybrids. Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Blameless? BULLSHIT! Posted by: Centavo
» Tell your Mom I said "Hi" Posted by: AJR Journal
» Someday, you will understand. Posted by: AJR Journal
» I have no skin in this game. Posted by: AJR Journal
» RE: Someday, you will understand. Posted by: peacefullaim1
» Monsanto is an MNC not a local company ! Posted by: JenniferBedingfield

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is such a disgrace and a total embarassment to have headquartered out here in St Louis.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Apr 16, 2009 5:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I hope to find plenty of people who will be ready to protest this company and get our local and state government to hold this company accountable, tough as it may be at first. Just like Big Auto giving Detroit a bad name, Monsanto is no doubt giving St Louis a bad name as well. This St Louis resident apologizes to all victims of Monsanto. Furthermore, I will continue to call for cutting down government subsidizations to big agri companies such as this one.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Millions against Monsanto Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Millions against Monsanto Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

chemical agribusiness unveiled
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wrinklemomma on Apr 16, 2009 7:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Everything wrong in India can be traced to the arrogant monopoly of chemical agribusiness. They have seeds only available through them, the seeds are sterile, so you can't save them, you have to buy new- from them. The seeds are for crops that shouldn't be grown in your specific region ( too little water, too hot, too cold- whatever). Then, they want you to add tons of expensive chemicals to soil that has lost its nutrients, beneficial insects, and water-holding properties due to too much chemical crap being used on it. Agribusiness is 100% to blame for ALL of this. We can't fight nature- we always lose. Oraganic, low-till/no-till, sustainable farming practices with region-adaptated crops from time-tested open-pollinated seeds stocks are the ONLY THING that will feed the world. Stop trying to grow rice in a desert, or wheat where it isn't native. It NEVER was nice to fool Mother Nature.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.
» My baseball bat can fix that. Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: My baseball bat can fix that. Posted by: wrinklemomma
» Hey, don't know the dingo! Posted by: HeroesAll

Comments are closed-

There is no news
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Apr 17, 2009 11:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All news of problems with Monsanto's product line is blacked out in the MSM. Reporters have wound up in oblivion for trying to cover not only what they're doing in India, but how they are terrorizing farmers here in the US. I noticed this morning that Monsanto has joined Homeland Security as an underwriter of NPR news. Once on PBS I saw a "panel discussion" about GMO crops, and two of the people on the panel were pro-GMO, the third on the fence, with NOBODY to talk about how peoples lives have been ruined by GMO crops, how those crops threaten the genetic diversity and thus the resilience of the world's staple crops, what Monsanto's stuff does to the environment, and how the GMO foods are, at the very least, allergenic when ingested by humans, and at worst, poisonous. It's been years since I first read an article about how the gene inserted to stop a fruit pox will just cause a different kind of pox to pop up, and so on.

Monsanto's underwriting blurb on NPR speaks of seed "designed to increase yields" when, in fact, increasing yield is still a pipe dream which has never once panned out in reality.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» And now I understand Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: And now I understand Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

And Where is Our Great Community Organizer?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DrBrian on Apr 16, 2009 9:35 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's a commentary on Obama's much touted intelligence, ethics and judgment that he's gleefully forking over trillions of dollars to the very rich, avaricious, sleazy Wall Street campaign contributors who created the worldwide economic catastrophe but unwilling to expend even a small amount to help their most tragic, vulnerable victims.

Here in Bangladesh our hospital, and my ICU, are overflowing with severely malnourished children struggling to survive. I see firsthand and daily the tragic toll the greedy elite is taking and the ethical bankruptcy of our response.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
» ds1st is a corn-fed dog breath to learn anything. LOL ! Posted by: Sports Warrior Casey Jones
» Thankyou, DrBrian, for your humaneness Posted by: paulmagillsmith
» RE: WTF You imbecile. Posted by: sasquuatch55

Comments are closed-

Perfect plan
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Schnookums on Apr 17, 2009 1:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Use banks to create unserviceable debt, you mortgage the land hoping to get ahead, you default, big agribusiness has new land attained at a very good price, and then use mechanization to exploit the land for all it is worth...concentrating profit. Very efficient, cheaper than trying to buy the land outright, and no hostile actions involved. The only blood shed is by their own hands. And everyone gets cheap T-shirts and rice...which is good because you can't afford anything else. The race to the bottom is on!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

monsanto
[Report this comment]
Posted by: heide on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
apparently doesnt get this little thing called KARMA................or put another way .. you reaps what u sow,,no pun intended
grrrrrr monsanto

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

plenty of H20 for golf course but not for farmers
[Report this comment]
Posted by: katjac2 on Apr 17, 2009 5:39 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The new Tiger Woods Gold Course in Dubai requires four million gallons of water to be pumped on to its grounds every day.
Read,"Dubai's Lesson to America: How the Middle East's Shangrai La Became a Hell on Earth" .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

"We Are Complicit in these Deaths"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN on Apr 17, 2009 5:48 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well then~~those of you at alternet ought to also committ suicide.
After all, YOU just admitted you are complicit in this.

I won't as, I wasn't there, NEVER was there and never spoke to one of those farmers.

Attempting to guilt someone into something doesn't work when they do NOT have any REAL part in something.

Hmmm, maybe EVERYONE named "lohan" ought to do it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You ARE "complicit"... Posted by: buffeliscious

Comments are closed-

Multinationals- RICO, Treason, War Crimes & Crimes against Humanity
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Purple Girl on Apr 17, 2009 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's not just Agriculture, it's all means of Production. They move from country to country scamming the citizens and using them as cheap slave labor until a they find the next Virgin to defile.
Have you seen the Devastation to The Rust Belt from 3 decades ago?
Can you figure out why the Drug Cartels in Mexico are so prolific? Why people would be willing to jeporadize their lives and their families to work for these blood thristy organizations?
As soon as these Corps were granted access to the Asia labor market- where wages were even cheaper and Worker/Human rights did not exist- they moved on. And left in their wake a desperate population, seeking any means to make a buck. Cross a desert trying to avoid robbery, hyperthermia or murder. Cross a River- hoping not to drowned or get shot. Or work near home for the Drug cartel and hope to god they didn't decide you were inept, a snitch or a liability.
and what did those 'Teabaggers' do...they protested the Gov't. Not the Corps who've shipped out their jobs & increased prices to secure their own Huge Profit margins and top Brass Comp pkgs. Why weren't these idiots on Exxons Lawn? Eli Lilly? AIG? B of A? what about those Ag Corps who've been infecting our food supply with food borne illness? Nope they made their stand at the State Capitols, Crying for more Tax cuts to assure less oversight and regulatory restraints.Ya lets get rid of the Gov't- they hinder those poor abused Corps ability to subjegate the masses.
Granted we have plenty of 'Pocket politicians' but it is useless to protest them and let the Corps who Line their Pockets get off scott free.Get rid of that Poltiician and the Corps will just bribe the next one who takes their place.We need to go after these corps not only with RICO statutes but also with Crimes against Huamnity. Their political dealing are clearly Treasonous- ways to undermine 'We the peoples' control over our Democracy and our Free market. But they have also instigated international conflicts and perpetuated human rights crimes.
Those Teabag Demonstration let the Corps off the hook by laying blame on the Gov't. it about as deceptive as Santelli laying the blame on Homebuyers for this widespread economic collapse. Housing was just the symptomatic lesion, not the insideous Disease.
So what's the Common denominator between the suicidal Famrmers in India and the numerous Murder/suicides of home owners here in the US- Underlying Business models and agendas. Suckered into Debt, then loss of income. ya think there might be a Wide Spread ideology at work which Spans international borders?How do you build a global indentured slavery class (cheap labor) keep them desperately lean & Hungry and in Debt. Best when you give them a Taste first, then take it away- keeps them motivated in the hope of recapturing it. A sadistic form of mental torture. Even better when you can pit them against each other, while you enjoy the riches and stay above the Fray.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

BA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mnstra on Apr 17, 2009 7:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hopefully we will read someday soon mass suicides on Wall street.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: BA . Thats redneck mentality Posted by: Caleb Darkstar

Comments are closed-

Thank you Alternet for bringing this issue to the forefront when even the Indian media won't do so.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Apr 17, 2009 7:39 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
While I was born here in America, my parents came from India and I have visited the country from time to time. I know a lot of folks have misunderstood a lot of the folks back in India but I understand completely. India and America actually have a lot more in common than most folks realize. What has happened to most of the farmers in this country is what is going on in India. A few years ago one of my uncles was one such victim who committed suicide as a result of the hostile takeover by the agribiz nuts and I'm still trying to overcome the trauma. His wife died one week after he committed suicide as she could not get over her emotional grief.

I am also deeply ashamed that even as farmers are pushed off their lands and forced to commit suicide in many cases, those farmers who knowingly let companies like Monsanto write them off shamelessly take the cash and with their children act like rich big shots. And they don't even care that those around them are hardly fortunate.

And just like it happened in this country, it appears that in India, more kids are getting addicted to the overprocessed junk foods and the healthcare costs are soaring. In the meantime, people who are trying to offer healthy alternatives are attacked by terrorists or unfairly arrested by the police for supposedly selling illegal stuff. The good news is that there is an uprising back home and more Indians are aware of the anti-Indian media bias in their own country and the corrupt politicians in India and America. Thank God for the Internet where I can get a variety of news both in terms of the USA and other countries around the globe.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

unfreeinus
[Report this comment]
Posted by: losingmyliberties on Apr 17, 2009 7:43 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I wonder why people,are that way on so many issues.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» BUSTED!! Posted by: leafmen
» No, I just made fun of her. Posted by: GrantBurkeVT
» oh yeah... Posted by: leafmen

Comments are closed-

Whatever happened to Who What Where & How?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: valstory on Apr 17, 2009 7:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The trouble with newspapers is much more than a problem of print, paper and salaries. they also seem to have given up the basics of journalism as the recent story of the "mass suicide" in India illustrates. I have been following this story for several days now across several different blogs and aggregators and the situation is still very unclear. Were these suicides committed the same day, over the same growing season, over several years?

I agree with the various authors that the number of deaths is awful and that the changeover to western style "green revolution" agriculture methods including massive irrigation and gm seeds seem to be implicated. Unfortunately, the articles I've seen assume far too much background knowledge on the part of the reader and do little to truly illuminate the situation. Please try to find a link that actually covers the basics. Your faithful readers would appreciate it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Would it really matter?... Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

The corporations concocting these GMO foods are putting the entire world in danger!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Apr 17, 2009 8:25 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporations concocting these GMO foods are putting the entire world in danger!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Absolutely disgusting...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Tweck9 on Apr 17, 2009 8:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Pay to use seeds shed from plants you grew??? Dispicable behavior. That's absolutely foul.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

There's more to the story ...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: stellabloo on Apr 17, 2009 10:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
UK Daily Mail article on the GM genocide

Here's some points not covered in the alternet article:

"... GM seeds contain so-called 'terminator technology', meaning that they have been genetically modified so that the resulting crops do not produce viable seeds of their own."

So there are no seeds to save for the next harvest and the use of Round-Up makes the land unsuitable for other crops anyway. The alternet article also fails to mention that GM cotton uses twice as much water as regular cotton, actively creating drought in areas where the water supply is already limited.

"Indeed, in a bid to promote the uptake of GM seeds, traditional varieties were banned from many government seed banks."

And FINALLY, Prince Charles has for once in his life done something completely praiseworthy - Di would have been proud - he has "infuriated bio-tech leaders and some politicians by condemning 'the truly appalling and tragic rate of small farmer suicides in India, stemming... from the failure of many GM crop varieties'.

"Ranged against the Prince are powerful GM lobbyists and prominent politicians.

"Prince Charles is so distressed by the plight of the suicide farmers that he is setting up a charity, the Bhumi Vardaan Foundation, to help those affected and promote organic Indian crops instead of GM."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Just so you know, Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Just so you know, Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» Prince Charles Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Prince Charles Posted by: aonghus36

Comments are closed-

BAILOUT TARGETS TO ERADICATE SMALL/MED BUSINESS & AMERICAN DREAM---PART A
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SassyFrassy on Apr 17, 2009 11:02 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This stimulus specifically targets the small/med business sectors and will eradicate and obliterate the small/med business sectors from the America landscape AND AGRICULTURE LANDSCAPE

In additon to the gravy-training of the BIG business sector which will bankrupt this Nation.

1. it has targeted to inflict Higher and more stringent taxes on already over-burdened small business sectors.

2. it targets to inflict Harsher and more stricter rules and regulations on already over-uburdened small/med business sectors to make it IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to even think about starting and making even a tiny profit in the business arena.

3. As you know this past year to present they have been wanting to make it so no BIG BUSINESS can be sued for STEALING OR INFRINGING on anyone's innovations and ideas.

4 RIGHT NOW also SMALL/MED business agri-businesses are being targeted as well because bailout out will push small/med bussiness plus small/med agri-business out of existence forever.


In additon to public (whom ususally comprises the small/med business sectors known as Mom& pop business boutiques the genral public small enterprises which are the wheels which fuel our 'healthy' economy and are the legs this Nation stands on) being FORCED to keep their own small/med business afloat in this horrible economy (which we didn't create) the PUBLIC and small med/business sectors are being FORCED to keep the BIG BUSINESS engorged deliberately to break the backs of our FREE ENTERPRISE system.

5. IN ADDITION, WASH DC SLUGS want to make it ILLEGAL for PUBLIC RESIDENCES to grow their OWN VEGGIE'S, AND PRODUCE.

6. IN ADDITION, WASH DC SLUGS want to FORCE public to eat GENETICALLY MODIFIED PRODUCE GROWN WITH PESTICIDES. IT will wipe out the SMALL/MED BUS & AGRI BUS AND ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE sectors.

WE all know that anyone especially those with allergies need organically grown foods. WELL, WASH DC SLUGS WANT to eradicate them from the economic landscape.


Everyone knows that RIGHT NOW you or i or any "regular' public joe with small/med business could never go into any bank and obtain a loan to throw away on parties or pay exec perks etc with the companies NOT even showing a profit. So, why should big business.

No wonder all those big companies cannot wait to get their hands on taxpayer funds to throw away. this stimulus creates an door for the big business getting the opportunity to MUSCLE out and eradicate the small business/med business sectors from the landscape and to keep small/med business from every getting a chance to be able to exist at all in the marketplace for all time.

it took ACORN and DEMS 9 years to bring on the meltdown now this new bailout THROWS more money at them so they will be the bottomless moneypit drain on public funds. WANNA know what happened to all those low income ACORN homes??? they are all boarded up. WHILE our economy is still reeling from the effects of DEMS CONSTANT bad fiscal policies.

It's important the PUBLIC seek LEGAL AND legislative action to OPPOSE THE BAILOUT.

We must force these business to pay every dime back IN A TIMELY FASHION and restore these businesses to the PUBLIC SECTOR without bailout access so that the SMALL bus/med business sector & anyone can participate in FREE ENTERPRISE.

Do it for your children's sake otherwise there will be no hope for any young couple in love whom wishes to think about getting married and starting a new business and make it profitably work. IT WILL NEVER BE POSSIBLE IF THE PUBLIC doesn't show their determination to protect their CONSTITUTION. IN ADDITION, the 99 PERCENT of the public 'needs" to seek LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE action to OPPOSE THE BAILOUT AND STIMULUS.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The mass suicide of farmers has been ongoing and yet not enough people are waking up.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Benn_Miller on Apr 17, 2009 11:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a matter of fact, I notice a lot of mean spirited attacks such as from ds1st and AJR Journal against Indians themselves. We may not like it that a lot of our jobs are going to India but we have no right to make fun of their suffering. Another interesting pattern that was brought up earlier in this discussion is that in every society where small farmers die en masse, junk foods become more mainstream and the obesity and healthcare costs go up. We really need to take our local farmers seriously and work towards shutting down the agri-business greed that's pervading the planet.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

DEMS TARGET TO ERADICATE SMALL/MED BUS SECTORS & AMERICAN DREAM--PART B
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SassyFrassy on Apr 17, 2009 11:09 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Then WASH DC slugs have the nerve to claim 500.00 bucks will "help"?? that won't even buy groceries for MONTH for most USA.

WASH DC SLUGS think that a couple of bucks is all it takes to DESTROY the USA freedoms and free enterprise and peoples health and DISMANTLE it's entire economic structure a sector at a time??? Do they think the USA is a bargain basement shop?!!!

To the present it's only one of the 1 % group of people attempting to destroy our Nation's economic systems.

WHY??? It was said to a WASH DC VIP---that the reason the Socialists think they will win this time and are doing this is because ACLU and their DEMS SLUGS -- they don't think American's are " smart enough" to care to let their fingers do the walking to protect their lands, their CONSTITUTION or their freedoms. The DEMS and ACLU don't think the 99% of American's will be 'smart enough" to CARE about their country, their homes, their small business enough to kick the WASH DC SLUGS out and send them packing by way of Balagovich for NOT doing what is right to protect PUBLIC freedoms and the free enterprise system (ie meaning small business/med business) and rights.

Therefore, they want to make sure they take all freedoms away from the public and they want to make it impossible for FREE ENTERPRISE to exist for the small business and mid business and sole proprietorship thru gravytraining BIG BUSINESS bankrupting our Nation and MUSCLING OUT the small/med sole proprietorships, and creating a welfare state. A move straight out of the marxist handbook. and by attempting to eradicate free speech.

Then, we will be SOCIALIST/GLOBALIST/MARX/FACIST/COMM COUNTRY and the marketplace will be MONOPOLIZED AND DOMINATED by the ENGORGED 1 or 2 or several big businesses in sector. Gone will be the hope for any American whom would wish to start a business and earn profit to live on. And.. all those unhealthy pesticides and gm produce will make PUBLIC SICK whaaat do they care---the new STIMULUS?...if you are X percent sick... they will let you DIE.

THE NEW SOC STIMULUS says that if YOUR CHILD needs antibiotics and the GOV only wants to give them aspirin or NOTHING.... GUESS WHAAAT they will get aspirin or nothing so the GOV CAN POCKET THE CASH.

Ben Franklin left some thoughts on this--

“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” -- Benjamin Franklin

however,Thomas Jefferson pretty well covered much about our situation today in two quotes made by him over 200 years ago. Our founders fathers feared what we are living today:

1. "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

2. "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."*

PUBLIC must seek legislative and legal action (don't allow yourselves to be put off) to kickout stimulus and bailout see American Center for Law and Justice and The National Center for Public POLICY Research and CIVIC COUNCIL thomas Cromwell

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Another side effect
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hilaryuk on Apr 17, 2009 12:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
GM crops encourage and accelerate the trend to monoculture and the dwindling of subsistance farming. Subsistance farming is environmentally sustainable and feeds an awful lot of people. On top of that, as corporate or large scale agriculture becomes more widespread, it diminishes the supply of food resources on unfarmed land - usually green leafy foods that have previously supplied a lot of the vitamins and trace elements necessary to a balanced diet. So globalisation and the wonders of western-type agricultural organisation lead to more hunger, more people forced off their land and into the overcrowded city slums and an unstable and unbalanced society. India was never Shangri La and certainly needed to change, but why does the chimira of modernisation always make the poor poorer in real terms? So far the most popular solution concocted by their politicians is to get the Hindus to blame the Muslims and vice versa - hate is always a useful tool, isn't it?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Another side effect Posted by: Bliss Doubt

Comments are closed-

Mike
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tolo87 on Apr 17, 2009 1:31 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
OMG they did commit suicide? Gross

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Mass economic suicide is terrible.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: abusedbypenguins on Apr 17, 2009 6:11 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If each of the farmers had taken a monsanto salesman with them then the problem would be solved.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Amen! Posted by: NYmediator

Comments are closed-

India was an economic/political mess 500 years ago
[Report this comment]
Posted by: billwald on Apr 17, 2009 6:46 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What have they learned since the East India Company was organized and the Brits were allowed to take over 300 years ago?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

IF CORPROATIONS LIKE MONSANTO AND NESTLE ARE LEFT UNCHECKED THEY WILL DESTROY THE EARTH AND US
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Apr 17, 2009 10:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporations are run by immoral, greedy psychopaths who have no regard for human life. Left unchecked and above the law they will destroy us and the Earth, There is now 6 times more plastic in our oceans then Plankton, vast parts of our oceans are dying. Wildlife and fish are eating plastic and dying and we are consuming chemicals and pesticides while Europe is dumping radioactive waste off the waters in Somalia. There is a lot more to this story then pirates. Fish are dying and people are being posioned, and dying in India and so are we. just like us. Nestle is buying up land rich with water all over the US and selling millions of gallons as water tables fall. Watch the documentary on movies on demand on Comcast Flow: For The Love Of Water and see what these horrible busineses are doing. We are all in peril because of mindless corproations, whether it be oil, water or plastic, our Earth and our future is in crisis. It will be Easter Island all over again, except this time the Island is Earth. Send out the call, scream out to those who supposedly represent us. They stood by while Standard & Poors knowingly sold worthless paper, making billions and AIG was willing to bring down nations knowing we would be blackmailed and have to bail them out - these are entities that are mindless destroyers and they must be stopped by us. So call and get rid of those Democrats and Re[ublicans who we vote for but work for the corporations. Its a big Ponzi scheme. Take from us and give nothing but destruction back.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Vandava Shiva
[Report this comment]
Posted by: aonghus36 on Apr 17, 2009 11:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is at least one glimmer of hope in India by the name of Vandava Shiva. She has an organization called Navdanya. Here is what this organization is about,"Introduction to Navdanya
Navdanya started as a program of the Research Foundation for science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), a participatory research initiative founded by world-renowned scientist and environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva, to provide direction and support to environmental activism.

1984 was the year of the Punjab Violence and the Bhopal tragedy. This violence demanded a paradigm shift in the practice of agriculture. Navdanya was born of this search for nonviolent farming, which protects biodiversity, the Earth and our small farmers.

Navdanya means nine crops that represent India's collective source of food security. The main aim of the Navdanya biodiversity conservation programme is to support local farmers, rescue and conserve crops and plants that are being pushed to extinction and make them available through direct marketing.

Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic negineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation.

It has its own seed bank and organic farm spread over an ares of 20 acres in Uttranchal, north India." Their web site is at http://www.navdanya.org/index.htm

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fox News, Take 1
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dkm on Apr 18, 2009 11:59 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The logic behind this attempt to blame GM seeds for the suicides in India bears a strong resemblance to the logic that pours forth from the likes of Beck, Hannity and O'Reilly. Think a moment. Suppose the seeds that the money changers were pushing had been developed by standard methods. Does anyone in their right mind think the results would be any different? The crops would still have failed (due to lack of rain and lack of water for irrigation) and the farmers would still owe the moneylenders and they would still be in the same position they are now. That some of the seeds they bought were GM is totally and completely irrelevant to the present situation.

At one time I thought that only the right wingnutters were incapable of rational thought and that the progressives charted their course by the light of the evidence and logic. I have since seen what happens when the subject of magical thinking as related to food production comes up. There is absolutely no difference between wingnutters on the right and wingnutters on the left. It's sort of like the Islamic and Christian Talibans, no essential difference in the attitudes, only in the names they give to their guiding star. Different names, same star.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Fox News take, indeed. Posted by: Bliss Doubt

Comments are closed-

Has this reporter ever BEEN to a farm.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Caleb Darkstar on Apr 21, 2009 10:19 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What tripe! I grew up on a farm, There have been genetically engineered seeds since I was a child, I'm nearly 50 years old. They call them hybrids.

Most of the food you and I eat every day has been developed through hybrid seed technology that allows for larger yields. THATS HOW WE FEED THE WORLD.

There is no genetic key that must be unlocked (pure rubbish), 2nd generation hybrids usually do not grow. And if they do they have become incestuous and reverted back to one of the originating strains. Its not brain science.

When my father would purchase hybrid corn seed he would get a sample and try a test run the year prior to changing over. Again, simple stuff.

Later in life, a friend and I flew to Amsterdam and purchased some hybrid seed of another type "oh yea". The first thing the guy told us. "Only good for one year, Two tops". He was right.

This is not so much a case of dihonesty as it is a case of ignorance on the part of the farmers. And suicide is an extreme reaction to a bad yield. There was about 6 words that caught my attention (A dam being built causing drought). Hey that may be your problem.

Besides, why would Monsanto be interested in seeing dead farmers? They hurt your repeat business stats.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Monsanto is not Obama
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeaderofMen on Apr 23, 2009 4:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here is a real article for a change. Instead of focusing attention on how 'inept' Obama is, let's go after a real culprit on the world scene, that is as bad as the proven malicious Bush administration.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Not a Monsanto Problem
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RuthDBWalker on Apr 23, 2009 5:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Something doesn't add up here. The original article in The Independent World at the link said, "'The crop is so bad this year that we will not even be able to save any seeds,' said Lakhnu's friend Santosh. 'There were no rains at all.'"

Little as I like Monsanto, since they had planned to save seeds, the problem was not Monsanto! They would not have been planning to save Monsanto seeds.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Extra Yields?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Sebastian2005 on May 15, 2009 3:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It might sound naive....but when these Monsanto seed are high yielding, there is also an extra benefit for the farmer right? So apart from the investment into new seeds he will have extra revenues which he can buy seeds from for the next season. Or am I missing something out?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

 
Advertisement
From The Blog
 
How Fair Are the Criticisms of Rahm Emanuel?
 
The Hollywood Double Standard: Tiger gets cooked, Charlie Sheen gets another free pass
 
Is Greece the New AIG?
 
Confused About Nutrition? Eat Food!
 
Insurer Denies Life-Prolonging Treatment To Five-Year-Old Boy With Cancer
 
Budget Paranoia
 
Why Does the U.S. Assassinate Americans?
 
Jon Stewart: Why Does Sarah Palin Need a Cheat Sheet?
 
We Must Lift the Veil on US Troops in Pakistan
 
Pushing for “Zero Tolerance” on Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
 
MORE 
ALL BLOGS 
 
 
Most Read
Most Emailed
Most Discussed
On REDDIT
On DIGG
 
  1. Shadow Elite: How the World's New Power Brokers Are Upending Our Democracy
  2. New Poll Results Are Proof That Republicans Don't Think
  3. White "Savior-Afflicted" Christians, Black Haitian Babies: This Won't End Well
  4. Why I Had to Stop Making Hardcore Porn
  5. Sarah Palin Aims to Bust Up the Republican Party -- And the Tea Party Movement
  6. One Company Thinks They've Created Fast Food With a Conscience -- Are They Right?
  7. The Newest Diet Trend: What Would Jesus Eat?
  8. Could Your Cell Phone End Up Killing You?
  9. Half-Naked Hot Chicks and Beer: The Sexist Guyland of the Super Bowl Beer Commercial
  10. Top 10 Problems with America Killing Its Own Citizens
loading ...
POWERED BY DIGG'S USERS
ABOUT DIGG