When it comes to plastic alternatives, there are two materials that consumers are likely to encounter; bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. These are separate products that are often confused. People think that bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are one and the same, but in reality, they are not. Both of these materials are fairly new developments that are growing in … [Read more...]
SA targeted for testing of risky new gene silencing technology
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has lodged an objection against Pioneer Hi-Bred’s application for field trials of RNAi /gene silencing (DP-566113-9) GM maize, since the risks to the health of the environment and humans is, as yet, unknown. Just as most people were going on holiday, on 21 December 2018, Pioneer Hi-Bred advertised in the Citizen newspaper its … [Read more...]
A friend in need: learning about companion planting
If you imagine "companion planting" to be a pleasant potter around the garden with a friend, you may be on to something. But it is also a system of buddying up the various plants in your garden to help control pests, maximise planting space, assist with pollination, encourage growth and improve yield. It can even enhance the flavour of your produce. I went along to a … [Read more...]
How hard is climate change affecting the world’s poorest nations?
When Nicholas Herold was hunting for data on how much climate change was affecting the world's poorest nations, he was surprised when he couldn't find answers in the published research. "Everyone's spoken for years about how poor countries are going to suffer more – or are suffering more – and I couldn't find one figure actually showing this," the research fellow at the … [Read more...]
South Africa maize prices scale new peaks as drought bites
South African maize prices maintained their record run into 2016, scaling historic highs on Monday amid growing drought concerns and rand weakness. The March contract for white maize added almost 2.6 percent to a new record of 4,781 rand ($307) a tonne while the same contract for the yellow variety climbed 1.8 percent to 3,677 rand a tonne. Prices for white maize, the … [Read more...]
Bats save corn farmers $1 billion per year
Bats deserve a better reputation. They may be creepy or troublesome when they occupy our attics, but overall they're more pesticide than pest. Not only do they suppress disease-carrying flies and mosquitoes, but they also devour insects that plague our food supply — and without the side effects of synthetic pesticides. The flying mammals thus carry a lot of economic clout … [Read more...]
African civil society slams junk GM maize deal
Non-governmental and farmer organisations from South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda strongly condemn the go-ahead given by the South African GMO authorities for Monsanto to commercially sell its genetically modified (GM) "drought tolerant" maize seed for cultivation in South Africa. According to the groups, there is no evidence showing that the drought tolerant … [Read more...]
Half of all children autistic by 2050 from Roundup?
Senior researcher, Dr. Stephanie Seneff, from MIT suspects that glyphosate toxicity from the overuse of Monsanto's pesticide Roundup on our food supply will result in half of the children population having autism by the year 2050. If you’re not aware of Monsanto and their dirty dealings by now, it’s time to catch up. Not only is the big-agricultural company responsible for … [Read more...]
Doc sheds light on Filipino farmers’ GM corn struggles
“We loan the seeds, and pay upon harvest. We are usually left with empty sacks. So we loan for food and family expenses, and inputs to be able to plant for the next season. Upon harvest, we have leftover debt.” This is but one of the numerous testaments of farmers that farmer-scientist group MASIPAG has documented on film about the impact of GM corn in the lives and … [Read more...]
