Seeds of Profit

Seeds of Profit

2019, Health  -   1 Comment
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The modern food system, characterized by industrial agriculture and the globalization of seed production, has had profound implications for the nutritional content of our fruits and vegetables. Over the past century, decades of breeding for traits like size, appearance, and shelf life have inadvertently led to a decline in essential nutrients.

A prime example is the tomato. While modern tomatoes are often larger, redder, and firmer, they have lost significant amounts of nutrients. Studies have shown that compared to heirloom varieties, commercially available tomatoes have lost up to a quarter of their calcium and more than half of their vitamins. This decline in nutritional value is a direct result of breeding for aesthetic and commercial appeal rather than nutritional content.

The seeds that produce the fruits and vegetables we consume are now predominantly owned by a handful of multinational corporations. These companies have established a global seed monopoly, controlling the genetic resources that underpin our food supply. This concentration of power allows these corporations to dictate the types of crops grown, the seeds used, and ultimately, the nutritional quality of our food.

The global seed trade often involves exploitation and inequality. Many of these multinational companies source their seeds from developing countries, where workers are paid meager wages and labor conditions are often substandard. For example, in India, workers involved in seed production are paid a mere fraction of what the companies earn in revenue. This stark contrast highlights the unequal distribution of wealth and benefits within the global food system.

The loss of nutritional value in modern fruits and vegetables is just one consequence of the industrialization and globalization of agriculture. Another significant impact is the erosion of biodiversity. Over the past 100 years, 75% of cultivated varieties have disappeared worldwide. This loss of genetic diversity puts our food supply at risk from pests, diseases, and climate change.

Directed by: Linda Bendali

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Tom McMillan
Tom McMillan
21 days ago

We have produced very little the last few years due to some unknown reason. With good seeds and soil the production of produce to be proud of just hasn't manifested for us.