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Douglas J. Dorsey -
Monsanto Company - USA |
August 2002 |
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When it comes to
attitudes toward GM seed, is there a marked difference between
the western world and the developing countries? How does this
impact the strategy of your company? |
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Throughout the
world, biotechnology is changing the face of agriculture and
contributing significantly to a future of more sustainable
agriculture and
food security for the world's growing population.
Growers who have adopted biotech crops are benefiting from
increased yields and reduced inputs, allowing all farmers to
produce food more efficiently while reducing the use of
environmentally harmful chemicals.
In fact, biotech crops have been so widely adopted that they
are a growing
factor in the competitiveness of agricultural producers -
those who lack the
technology are at a distinct disadvantage.
In the developing world, where typically more than half of the
inhabitants
are involved in farming, farmers are often unable to produce
enough to meet
even the minimum food needs of their own countries. Where
developing
countries have gone forward and approved biotech crops,
farmers have
benefited dramatically.
The reason for successful adoption in these developing areas
can be
contributed to the scale-neutrality of biotechnology. Biotech
crops are more productive, providing protection from insect
and weed pests and enabling farmers to grow more food on less
land whether they farm 1 acre or 100,000 acres.
Our strategy is predicated on understanding the needs, wants
and desires of
our customers and potential customers and developing
integrated solutions
tailored to meet them. We have found that because of specific
cultural
issues, the optimal approach may be different from country to
country, even
within the categories of developed/developing countries. |
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