"...farmers are likely to be weaned from pesticides to be force fed biotech seeds, in other words, taken off one treadmill and set on a new one! ..It is only too obvious to concerned scientists, farmers and citizens alike that we are about to repeat, step by step, the mistakes of the insecticide era, even before it is behind us." Hans R.Herren, Director General, The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi, Kenya, and winner of the 1995 World Food Prize
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Great how the supporters of intensive ag love to have it both ways. as with the suddenly discovered concern of vast corporations and their supporters with feeding the world, here's the president of the All India Biotech Association warning about  'powerful multinationals' and the dangers of pesticides
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Insecticides banned abroad dumped in India
http://www.timesofindia.com/210201/21hlth9.htm

lUCKNOW: About 30 pesticides which have been banned in the western market because of their toxicity, have been dumped by 'powerful multinationals' in the Indian market," Vivek Singhal, president of All India Biotech Association (AIBA) said at a seminar on 'Integrated Pest Management' here on Tuesday.

He said DDT which is permitted for use, is extremely hazardous because of its carcinogenicity.

"Nearly 25 per cent of Indian food products contain pesticide residues above tolerance level compared to 1.2 per cent globally and it is due to a high percentage of residual content that Indian agricultural exports worth Rs 4000 crores per annum are rejected," Singhal later told reporters.

Highlighting the importance of bio-pesticides, Singhal said several countries have started focusing their research on these because of eco-safety, target specificity, yield and quality improvement.

Research has proved that the use of biopesticides in the field resulted in a gain of Rs 12,000/- per hectare to a farmer compared to the routine practice of chemical pesticides.

He appreciated government's efforts on integrated pest management and said several states have already formed biotechnology councils. (PTI)
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"...farmers are likely to be weaned from pesticides to be force fed biotech seeds, in other words, taken off one treadmill and set on a new one!

The trend towards a quasi-monopolization of funding in agricultural development into a narrow set of technologies is dangerous and irresponsible. Also, too many hopes and expectations are being entrusted in these technologies, to the detriment of more conventional and proven technologies and approaches that have been very successful and which potential lies mostly unused in the developing countries.

It is only too obvious to concerned scientists, farmers and citizens alike that we are about to repeat, step by step, the mistakes of the insecticide era, even before it is behind us. I would even argue that these new miracle technologies are mostly not necessary, let alone desirable, to solve the world's food security problem."

Hans R.Herren, Director General, The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi, Kenya, and winner of the 1995 World Food Prize