What's Really the Motivation Behind Monsanto's Donation of 475 Tons of Seeds to Haiti?

By Jerry Greenfield

Following the devastating earthquakes Haiti suffered in early January of this year, Monsanto seemingly stepped-up to bat with the announcement that they would donate 475 tons of corn and vegetable seeds to Haitian farmers.

To anyone who doesn't know a lot about the politics and practices surrounding Monsanto, this gesture would seem to be an altruistic act of great proportions. But for anyone who knows even a tenth of what Monsanto is really about ... well, you probably don't even need to read this article!

The truth is, although Monsanto has made it very clear that the seeds they are donating are not genetically modified seeds, they are still hybrid seeds. In addition, these seeds are coated with chemical pesticides and herbicides, which can be harmful to the people handling the seeds and harmful to the environment because of agricultural leaching. And the even more disturbing truth is, if Haitian farmers chose to accept and plant these seeds (without knowing the facts behind hybrid seeds), they will be unknowingly trapping themselves in an endless downward spiral of debt.

Here's Why:

Hybrid seeds cannot grow successfully for more than one season. Yes, the seeds can be saved, and yes, they can be planted the next season, but there is no way of knowing what will grow! For example, if you save the seeds of corn at the end of your first season, and plant those seeds for the next season, you could end up with some very messed-up corn, if any at all. Because there is no guarantee of what will grow, or if anything will grow at all, hybrid seeds are simply not saved.

Now, for thousands of years, ever since people starting growing their own foods, humans have saved seeds from their harvest to plant the next season. In the last 20 years, since the rise of hybrid seeds (pioneered and monopolized by Monsanto), farmers who began growing using hybrid seeds became trapped in an endless cycle of having to buy new seeds every year from Monsanto.

Obviously, this brings the farmer's profit down. When once upon a time, all they needed to do was buy their original supply of seeds, now they must buy new seed every single year. Because of this, farmers find themselves in deeper and deeper debt every year. The farmers realized too late what they had gotten themselves into, and now they have no choice but to either lose their farms, or continue purchasing their seeds from Monsanto just to stay afloat.

The Haitian farmers are now faced with a similar situation. Unbeknown to them, by accepting and planting Monsanto's poisonous seeds, they will be forced to basically tread water for the rest of their lives. Haiti is a poor country. Most of its farmers are uneducated and lead simple lives. There is no way for them to know the evils that Monsanto is introducing them to.

Fortunately, there are certain individuals and organizations trying desperately to fight for the Haitian people. Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, the Executive Director of the Peasant Movement of Papay and the spokesperson for the National Peasant Movement of the Congress of Papay, was quoted as saying that the entry of Monsanto seeds into Haiti is "...a very strong attack on small agriculture, on farmers, on biodiversity, on Creole seeds..., and on what is left of our environment in Haiti."[1] Many Haitian farmers have vowed not to accept the hybrid seeds. In fact, they have vowed to burn the seeds.

I believe that it is our duty, as part of the human race, to look out for each other. Regardless of country, race, sex or age, we are all human! It is sad that big money has somehow become its own race, enslaving the humans to do its bidding. I urge you, educate yourself and your fellow human beings. Don't let Monsanto and other monopolies run the show. See the truth behind the lies!

[1] Group email from Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, May 14, 2010.

http://www.growlikecrazy.com/

My number one focus is growing my own food. I don't think that really counts as a hobby. For some people it is, but for me, growing my own fruits and vegetables and saving my own seed is the key to survival. The only person you can count on is yourself, if you ask me. The government is trying to "help" us all with GMOs and welfare, but it's all a crock. We need to know how to survive on our own.

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