Encroached Commons: Politics of Seeds

Abstract

"Seeds of all traditional varieties are owned and maintained by farming households. These are part of the common heritage of farming households. Techniques of seed preservation are developed by these households and they had full control over the seeds. Traditional varieties were low yielding and failed to meet the growing food demand of farming households. Gradually traditional seeds are captured by Multinational Companies (MNCs) and used for producing hybrid and GM seeds having higher yield potentiality. Farmers were attracted by these and they were given governmental support to grow these seeds. As a result, farmers stopped growing traditional varieties and lose their seeds. The basic seed right of a farmer has been victim of politics of Government and MNC nexus to the loss of farmer. Those who still grow traditional varieties, GM seeds pollute them and seriously damage their fertility. Today in India, wheat, cotton, maize are the major victim of MNCs seed politics. Rice is probably next target. Nearly 1500 rice varieties are facing extinction due to the hybrid rice. Rice is the staple food of nearly 60% Indian. The higher input and cultivation cost have pushed the farmers into debt traps. Without subsidy, growing of hybrid varieties is proving to be suicidal for farmers. As per the report, in India one farmer has committed suicide per every eight hours particularly after the harvest of cotton. This paper will deliver into the different issues which related seed politics and seed rights, farmers initiated seed bank based on cases from India. The paper would also discuss the protest movement against GM seeds and growing practices of organic farming with indigenous varieties. The paper will also analyze the interaction among seed, soil, fertilizer and pesticides."