Monsanto Nepal Essay

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INTRODUCTION In Nepal maize is a very important crop, as a staple food as well as a cash crop. The feed industry in Nepal currently requires an estimated 270,000 tons of maize, yet is only able to purchase half of that amount—135,000 tons—in Nepal. The remaining 135,000 metric tons of maize is imported for the feed industry every year, with a value of approximately 200 million NPR. This is a lost opportunity for farmers in Nepal. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Agriculture, USAID, and Monsanto have partnered to promote the use of hybrid maize seeds and provide training to farmers in Nepal. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announce the official launch of their co-funded, four-year effort to improve food security and increase income of at least 35,000 rural families, particularly poor and disadvantaged farmers, in 20 remote hill districts of Nepal. With the support of the Government of Nepal, this $5.63 million effort implemented by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) is designed to meet at least 30 % of the national maize seed requirement in the hills, support implementation of national seed act and policies, and develop new maize varieties and technologies. Though Monsanto announces more nutritious food, increased yield and food security and the requirement of less chemicals, it is one of the most controversial corporations in the world, with a past full of unethical acts such as the production of Agent Orange. LITERATURE REVIEW According to a analysis done by P. Paudel and A. Matsuoka in association with The United Graduate School Of Agriculture Science, Ehime University, Ehime, Japan and Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime, Japan, presents that the chief use of maize is as food, i.e. 70% while the proportion for feed

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