What's good about GM produce?

Hi and welcome all, my name is Alesha and I am going to present to you the good aspects of Genetically Modified Produce (GM produce).

                                                                             Developing GMO seeds
                                             https://monsanto.com/app/uploads/2017/03/papaya_cutout_shadow.png

GM crops allow farmers to produce affordable food by using less land, water and pesticides(CASA, 2016), which make it economically excellent for the Caribbean because of its terrain. It is readily accessible and cuts down the cost of food hence making it  cheaper. Since GMOs also have its own mechanism of resisting pests, local farmers in Trinidad and Tobago can use it and not worry about crop destruction. 

 The Caribbean is an increasing population and with more people to feed, there is a demand on crops such as peas, corn, tomatoes, sweet peppers, yams, dasheen bush, ochroes , rice, sugar cane and eggplant just to name a few .
What are GMOs?- No Gluten
                                            https://cdn.nogluten.io/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gmo-tomatoes.jpg

 Here are some good uses of GM produce:

  • Pest resistant crops; by doing so farmers cut down loss of crops due to pests, hence a better outcome of crops. Also the crops would not grow with any deformity so farmers would not have the cause to eliminate the "bad" ones.
  • "Bigger yields to create more efficient use of land, less use of herbicides and other pesticides." (Genetically Modified Foods,2005).
  •  Crops would obtain the required amount of nutrients hence a positive growth and growth rate.
  • Better quality grain size, mass production in short time span.
  • It is sustainable, that is, it can be grown for generations and generations. 

Now that you're aware of the positive aspects of GM produce, farmers in Trinidad and Tobago and the greater Caribbean can now practice this and earn a salary. This also open doors for job opportunities.

 References 

 Sources:

 CASA. (2016). Thank genetic modification for low American food prices: Retrieved from https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/thank-genetic-modification-for-low-american-food-prices/

Genetically Modified Foods. Monday, 6th June, ©2005. Benefits of GM food: Retrieved from https://classes.soe.ucsc.edu/cmpe080e/Spring05/projects/gmo/benefits.htm

Gundersen, C. (2015). Cheap food? Thank GMOs: Retrieved from https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/01/26/cheap-food-thank-gmos/

 Monsanto. May 6th 2017, ©2002-2017. Do GMO crops increase yields? Retrieved from https://monsanto.com/innovations/biotech-gmos/articles/gmo-crop-yields/
Images:

 Developing GMO seeds. Retrieved from                                   https://monsanto.com/app/uploads/2017/03/papaya_cutout_shadow.png

 What are GMOs?- No gluten. Retrieved from https://cdn.nogluten.io/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gmo-tomatoes.jpg

Comments

  1. Unknown7 October 2017 at 20:21

    With all these advantages, why not take the risk? One day we might, the agriculture section will hopefully lose its stigma as being a "horrible and totally uncool" job, hopefully the Government and other agencies can provide incentives for many to dive into this profession, to help feed the country of course. Many may not be ready to claim the torch on leading the way to promoting GMOs to a country so new to it, maybe they might see it as a disadvantage in the marketplace.

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  2. Alesha Cayenne8 October 2017 at 11:43

    Hi Aaronsteel Persade thank you for viewing our blog and thank you for your comment.

    First to begin, heading in the direction of using GMOs is a great start for the Caribbean to obtain Sustainable Agriculture. For example, Guyana is on the verge of obtaining Sustainable Agriculture through their sugarcane production. For instance, if Trinidad and Tobago were to follow in the same steps, they too will obtain Sustainable Agriculture plus open doors for job opportunities hence decreasing unemployment and there would be a circulation of revenue in the country. However, the Government pays little attention to the Agriculture sector, but when there is no more oil and gas, the Government would push more towards Agriculture as a source of revenue.

    What you were saying is true with who would take the lead but.....with natural disasters taking place currently and destroying our crops and live stocks (Tropical Storm Bret), it would be difficult for the country of Trinidad and Tobago to import goods because the country is under a recession and there is a deficit in the economy.

    When practicing Sustainable Agriculture with the use of GMOs, the Government would be better able to feed its country for generations and still export goods hence a "boom" in the economy. This would then alleviate importation and generate income.

    I do not see it as a disadvantage in the marketplace because if they are using the GMOs, food prices would be cheaper, there would not be any shortage and also the Government are "supporting local businesses wishing to venture into high-end export markets"(A quote from Colm Imbert, 2018 budget). In general people would have a better standard of living and there will be an in-flock of foreign revenue.

    This is my perspective and please look out for future posts.

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