Whether you agree or disagree with genetically modified organisms, it is hard to deny Monsanto’s role as the world’s biggest supplier of seeds – most of which, under the waving banner of biotechnology, is genetically modified. They promise better yield, more efficient farming and play the markets and the farmers just right so that most of the world’s most necessary crops, like maize, soya, cotton and canola – all come from seeds modified by them.

Recently, three varieties of Monsanto’s genetically modified maize failed to produce crops here in South Africa during the 2008/9 growing season. This left nearly 200 000 hectares of fields barren of cobs and crop. This loss essentially spreads across several provinces in South Africa and affects roughly 400 farmers. Also these varieties were provided to resource the poorer farmers in South Africa.

So, we now have to wonder; we are not quite sure what impact genetically modified crops might have on us. Also, it might come to pass that almost all crops in the world will one day be descendants of those modified ones (some might argue that that is the next evolutionary step). So why then did the crops fail? Did they not study too hard? Did they not practice enough after school?

Well, no one really knows. The farmers’ losses were paid off, and in return they were barred from speaking to the media or public about it. The official statement from Monsanto was that there was a mistake in the breeding process. In essence, the cause is still very much uncertain – but I’m sure we mostly share that nagging suspicion that those crops weren’t exactly kosher. Or possibly, Nature just found a way to simply protect itself (and us?) in the process.

These three maize varieties were approved by the South African biosafety regulatory authority, yet they have not released any statement regarding this failure to the consuming public. But, still, the story from Monsanto is that there was a cross pollination breeding mistake. Which so happens to occur in three separate varieties of maize… with several farmers… across several provinces?

If this concerns you, and it should, you can sign a petition demanding that information on the failures be made public and that an independent panel should investigate the matter at http://www.activist.co.za/campaigns/2009/investigategm.php

pic: Greenpeace