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Monsanto, a U.S. based, multinational, agribusiness company, first came to my attention a few months ago when I watched the documentary Food, Inc. If you haven’t watched this documentary, I strongly recommend that you make some time to do that. You can watch the full movie in 11 parts on YouTube; you will never look at your food the same way again.
While Monsanto touts itself as an agricultural company whose aim to help farmers produce more while conserving more through their Genetically Modified (GM) seeds, the reality is that it’s all about the bottom line for Monsanto. The company simply wants to monopolize the seed market in the world and make the highest profits it can, with no concern for the adverse effects their actions have on the livelihood of farmers. In other words, it’s all about greed.
In the documentary, Food, Inc., I saw an American farmer who was driven out of business because he refused to buy Monsanto’s non-reproducing seeds. Since his neighbors all planted Monsanto seeds, this farmer was advised he would be in trouble if any of his reproducing seeds somehow got carried by wind and other pollinating agents into his neighbors’ farms. Monsanto harassed the farmer regularly and made it impossible for him to grow his reproducing seeds, that he eventually went out of business.
Now this same company is out to dominate the agricultural sector in Africa by partnering with governments to introduce Monsanto’s products to African farmers under the guise of development. In South Africa, where Monsanto has essentially been running the Massive Food Production Program (MFFP) on behalf of the government, 80% of Monsanto’s Genetically Modified maize failed to produce a crop in 2008/09. The farmers also expressed concerns about the GM crops which were inferior in quality to traditional maize, made people and animals who consumed it sick and which made the soil useless after a few years due to the chemicals farmers were instructed to use on their crops.
Africa, wake up and smell the coffee! Monsanto is not interested in developing your countries agriculturally. Rather, it’s prime interest is to establish a monopoly in African markets in order to fatten its coffers. Monsanto already has a monopoly in the American market with drastic consequences for American farmers and consumers. In scouring the web, news about Monsanto is generally negative. It makes me wonder whether African governments or organizations do any research before agreeing to these aid projects.
Despite Monsanto’s attempt to portray itself in a positive light on its website, reports lead to the conclusion that the company has violated its pledges for integrity, dialogue, transparency, sharing, benefits and respect again and again, leading some farmers to commit suicide. Let’s have more people stand up in Africa and say no to Monsanto. We should not allow GM crops to destroy farmers’ livelihoods, their health and the environment; nor should we let Monsanto monopolize agribusiness in Africa.
Thanks for bringing attention to this issue. Here are a number of links to articles with lots of information on Monsanto and its activities in Uganda. According to these articles, Monsanto was planning or already carrying out Maize seed tests in some parts of Uganda. My sincere hope is that it didnt take off. In any case as many people as possible should read these articles and sign the petition against GMOs in Africa.
Mr President, stop Monsanto maize trials
Tuesday, 19th October, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/735574
Protect local crops from Monsanto
Tuesday, 26th October, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/736168
Naturally organic agriculture harvests belong to Africa by right
Tuesday, 2nd November, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/736858
Ugandans are only being told about the bright side of biotechnology
Tuesday, 9th November, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/737637
Sign up and protect Uganda’s organic agriculture harvests
Tuesday, 16th November, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/738333
Uganda must not surrender her food security to Monsanto
Tuesday, 30th November, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/739747
GM Bill may not protect farmers
Tuesday, 7th December, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/740427
Brace for fight against Monsanto
Tuesday, 14th December, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/741117
My three Christmas wishes
Tuesday, 21st December, 2010
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/741790
Uganda doesn’t need GMOs at all
Tuesday, 11th January, 2011
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/743444
How much has Monsanto paid Uganda scientists for the GMO experiments?
Tuesday, 1st February, 2011
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/745462
There is hunger for knowledge on GMOs
Tuesday, 15th March, 2011
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/749207
Why focus on indigenous seeds?
Tuesday, 12th April, 2011
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/751853
Interestingly, there was a single article that was published supporting Monsanto and GMOs. The arguments were not at all convincing but they did mention that there is already GMO testing going on for Bananas in Uganda.
Genetically modified crops good for the future
Wednesday, 3rd November, 2010
Arthur Makara
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/736982
Matooke is a staple food in Uganda. If GMO has infiltrated into that area, then be sure that whenever the long term effects start to show, then Ugandans shall be very much affected.
Twitter: mmagero
says:
Thanks for the links, muloem.
Twitter: tosinbird
says:
And Notore
Twitter: mmagero
says:
Tosin, thanks for mentioning Notore. I was not aware of them, but their intentions are just as unsavory as Monsanto’s: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_50/b4062046700574_page_4.htm
Three cheers for this article! I’m glad someone else is talking about this, I’ve been trying to get everyone I know to watch food Inc, it makes frightening watching, but its important for us to be informed so we can protect those who do not have access to such information. Thanks for bringing this up.
Thnx Minda ! for sharing this and empowering others to the perils of letting Monsanto monopolise our seeds and eventually agricultural markets.
Unfortunately our leaders dont research their decisions. Money speaks louder than words on papper for them. They see only dollar signs in their eyes everytime they hear GMO. No to GMO products in Kenya !
I was watching this documentary months back about High Fructose Corn Syrup (killer)here in the US and a Food Inc ad came on,after watching that i told a buddy “thank God we don’t have those back Home”. I never looked into it but i was talking to someone in Kampala and he mentioned Monsanto and Kawanda Research, and how people who used to grow their own food and had surplus now have to buy expensive Kawunga( Corn/Maize) ,its disturbing,in the US no one can touch it, its in the pockets of politicians and judges at all levels, multi billion dollar company, runs the food industry.
People have diseases and complications we’ve never heard of in ug because of the food they eat,which in turn supports insurance and pharmaceutical companies who are in bed with banks……
So the poor african once we start getting sick there is no system to support/milk people like they got here, companies like this will make Aids and malaria seem like minor fevers compared to the damages they are going to do to our food.
Twitter: mmagero
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Ali, thanks for stopping by. Let’s hope that any damage already done can be reversed.