Agriculture - GM Crops & Fertilizers
In this chapter we elaborate the GM-Crop value constellation and the Fertilizer value constellation in an effort to clarify the "socio-technical" mechanisms that are at play in the areas of GM Crops and Fertilizers and answer the question:
Can one shield sustainable farming and its development from (narrow) commercial agendas of corporate giants?
Background
- The answers that a question on Biochar Pros and Cons has received at: http://www.linkedin.com/answers/Sustainability/energy-development/SUS_ENE/642882-2998640
- The report on the conference "Agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries: Options and opportunities in crops, forestry, livestock, fisheries and agro-industry to face the challenges of food insecurity and climate change (ABDC-10) Guadalajara, Mexico, 1 – 4 March 2010" that is available at: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/abdc/documents/report.pdf ; and related posts and reports at the IP Watch weblog: http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/03/09/fao-conference-draws-ire-from-civil-society-industry-satisfied-by-event/
- A report from the US National Academy of Sciences on Genetically Engineered Crops: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12804
- The recent initiative by the European Commission to overhaul the GM crop approval system, as described at http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/eu-overhaul-gm-crop-approval-system-news-494896 with viewpoint of Avaaz.org at https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_health_and_biodiversity/?fp
I need to state that I haven’t read something so interesting in a while. There are a lot of motivating views and opinions. I think that you certainly discovered an significant fact.
curt
Nike Dunk Mid Realtree
I learn something new on different blogs everyday. It is always refreshing to read blogs of other bloggers and learn something from them. Thanks for sharing!!
curt
The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCARD2010
Jan Goossenaerts
@collaboratewiki
For the viewpoint of UNAC (http://www.actor-atlas.info/national-actor:mz-unac )on these protests, see: http://www.scribd.com/doc/38304154/UNAC-Mozambique-food-protest-document…
The document calls for improved attention to peasant farming as a more sustainable and equitable alternative that makes (the poor in) developing countries less vulnerable to global (prize) shocks and speculation.
Jan Goossenaerts
@collaboratewiki
GM Crops are being designed to be mainly used with Roundup so as to eradicate weeds but what is happening is that the weeds are adapting. So now what?
Fertilizers are unsustainable and deteriorate soil structure.
Let's compare GM Crops & Fertilizers and the use of EM•1® and EM Technology® (which is showing it's worth in agriculture and many other fields) with Bio-char.
By using EM•1® prior to planting crops really helps sprout most of the weed seeds which are then removed or turned back into the soil. impregnating Bio-char with EM•1® has been studied and is proving to be very sustainable.
Jan Goossenaerts
@collaboratewiki
Hi Arturo, this is just to signify that you have support from those of us involved in Geomite biomineral agriculture. There is no doubt here that your project presents best approach and both Mario and I offer wholehearted support.
Jan Goossenaerts
@collaboratewiki
Please, read this PDF "WATER FOOTPRINT OF BIOFUELS", published by Rice University: http://cohesion.rice.edu/centersandinst/shellcenter/emplibrary/Water%20F…
They state that in the USA, taking into consideration evapotranspiration, to produce one litre of ethano with corn, 1,262 litres of water are needed; to produce one litre of ethanol with sugarcane, 1,266 litres of water are needed; with sorghum, 2,018 litres and with soybean, to produce the biodiesel equivalent to one litre of ethanol, 4,185 litres of water are needed!!!!
We cannot use that much water to produce ethanol!!!
That excesive amount of water is needed to disolve the chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides (agrochemicals) so the plants can absorb them.
I am developing a project to produce biofuels from agave, which thrives with as little as 190mm of rain per year, and yields 3X more sugars than sugarcane, 4X more cellulose than fast-growing eucalyptus and 5X more dry biomass than GMO poplar tree or the most productive ecosystem.
Agave thrives on marginal land in arid/semiarid climate (41% of the Earth's surface) and also in temperate climate. Is very prolific (one individual can produce one million new pups) and can be produced massively at the lowest cost of production, without disturbing wildlife or affecting food.
Best,
Arturo
agaveproject2(at)gmail.com
Jan Goossenaerts
@collaboratewiki