--------- Forwarded message ---------- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 12:30:15 -0600 Subject: [biotech_activists] Fictional Agriculture of Environmentalists
Biotech Activists ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Posted: 11/29/2001 By [EMAIL PROTECTED] ============================================================ This farmer will give organic activists "100 acres in every district. Let them show us practically how organic cultivation increases farm yields and our income levels." Any takers? Alice ########## Fictional Agriculture of Environmentalists The Hindu By Chengal Reddy (A farmer leader) Letter to the Editor THE ARTICLE by Vandana Shiva "Biotech as bio-terror" (, November 11) was appallingly biased. The visual in the article showed "anti-globalisation activists" (a glorified term for environmental activists) gleefully vandalising a farmer's field in France. Alas, the environmental activists appear to be doing the same thing throughout the world. They pick up and attack hapless subjects under the glare of media, of course. Agriculture is their first choice and the victims? Poor farmers! I am pained at the growing number of environmental NGOs in India which preach through private publications and popular media what Indian farmers should do or should not do. I am using the term "pained" because almost all these NGOs are non-agriculturists. What do they know about Indian agriculture? Most of them do not understand the difference between agriculture and farmer. They say in some forums that certain chemical pesticides should not be used in India. Ask them why, they say "because they are banned in western countries." Well, going by this logic, GM crops should be immediately allowed for use in India because many western countries permit their cultivation. It is my opinion the environmental activists in India (aided considerably by foreign funds) rarely relate to Indian realities. Take, for example, the article by Vandana Shiva. It is about cultivation of Bt cotton in Gujarat. But the accompanying visual is from France! Thanks to her international contacts. She speaks about the plight of monarch butterflies and ladybirds in distant countries. But, what's notably missing in her article is a simple interview with Bt cotton growers in Gujarat. Had she cared to meet the Bt cotton growers of Gujarat, she would have known the home truth. The (November 12, 2001) quotes farmers (in Gujarat) who have used Bt cotton saying that they swear by its virtues. The environmental NGOs in India, especially those who seek to be heard in the field of agriculture, are known for not having adequate grassroots level contacts in India. A Delhi-based NGO published a book on pesticides in India. Its cover page shows a farmer in rice fields of South East Asia! Well, that speaks volumes about their contacts! Here some of the suggestions of Vandana Shiva sound comical. She says "in the absence of bio-safety capacity building, commercial introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) amount to bio-terrorism". She also lists the departments/institutions that must be involved in the so-called "bio-safety capacity building" (a skilful choice of phrase to frighten the common man). They are: gram sabhas, panchayats, district administration, State Government and Union Ministries. Look at the length of the list! It appears that the environmental activists want to promote red-tapism to protect their interests and, in the process, block agricultural progress in our country. People want more and more de-controls, but environmentalists propose more and more controls on agriculture. "We do not want to see our biodiversity destroyed and farmers ruined," says Vandana Shiva. She does not seem to know that biodiversity and food production need not -- in fact do not -- go together. * Chicken production phenomenally increased in our country after the introduction of broiler breeds. * Egg production increased after the introduction of prolific layers from abroad. * Milk production increased after large-scale artificial insemination of local breeds with HF breeds (from Europe). * Indian grain production (paddy, wheat, etc) productivity shot up since the 70s after the introduction of many exotic lines not native to India. Had our farmers continued with "desi breeds" in the name of preserving "biodiversity", India would still be importing milk and milk products from other countries and foodgrains, eggs and chicken would continue to remain beyond the reach of many in lower income groups. The job of the farming community is to produce more foodgrains and allied items to meet the requirements of rapidly growing population. Farmers cannot be burdened with the task of preserving the biodiversity. This will ruin our farmers. Perhaps environmentalists can do some productive work in this regard by establishing "biodiversity parks" in every district using millions of dollars they receive by way of donations. Vandana Shiva states "organic cultivation produces more cotton... organic cultivation brings a double benefit to farmers" lowering costs on expensive seeds and chemicals and increasing income by producing a quality product." We welcome Vandana Shiva and other environmentalists to come to our villages to demonstrate what they claim in our local conditions. We will give them 100 acres in every district. Let them show us practically how organic cultivation increases farm yields and our income levels. Till then, please do not tell us what we, the farmers, must do/use. ============================================================ How to Use this Mailing List ============================================================ You received this e-mail as a result of your registration on the biotech_activists mailing list. To unsubscribe, please send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the body of the message type: unsubscribe biotech_activists For a list of other commands and list options, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the body of the message type: help
