Edited versions must receive permission before re-publication. Both point to components of a sweeping revolution that is dramatically changing the way the human race is wittingly or unwittingly positioning itself to feed its current six billion souls, a number projected to explode to nine billion in a mere 30 years. I will cover issues from both of these reports in Parts I and II of this Food Supply Update. First, the RAFI report. These were the seeds that humans have grown, improved, multiplied and saved from one year to the next to feed themselves and their communities since the dawn of human agriculture.
Hybrids are revenue insurance.
If seed cannot be saved by individuals and farmers for next year's crops, growers would have to return to the company for new seed each and every year. No matter if you cannot afford the seed because of weather related crop failures the year before. Over the years, mergers and acquisitions of seed companies led to the current, relative handful of transnational corporate seed giants, many of whom also just happen to be in the pesticide and herbicide business. Food is good business. Agricultural chemicals to grow food are good business.