Bell Ringer #12 - Agribusiness, GMOs & their Role in Development

How many people participated in the largest civil protest in history, which occurred in India on November 26, 2020?

• Over 25 million

• Over 50 million

• Over 100 million

• Over 250 million

What was the primary cause of the large wave of farmer suicides in India between 1995 and 2010?

• Lack of government support for agricultural exports

• Insurmountable debt faced by farmers

• Natural disasters and crop failures

• Insufficient access to modern farming technology

What significant change occurred in Indian agriculture following the economic restructuring in the 1990s?

• A shift from cash crops to food crops for domestic consumption

• Increased government subsidies and tariffs to protect local farmers

• A shift from growing food crops for personal use to cash crops for export

• Decreased foreign investment in the agricultural sector

What does the term 'agribusiness' refer to?

• Only large corporations that store crops.

• A process of selling crops only.

• A system of economic and political relationships that organizes food production.

• A type of crop that is genetically modified.

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO) like BT Cotton?

• An organism naturally adapted to harsh environmental conditions

• An organism whose DNA has been modified in a laboratory

• A traditional crop variety developed through selective breeding over centuries

• A plant grown without the use of any pesticides or herbicides

What was a significant negative consequence for small-time farmers in India who adopted genetically modified cotton seeds?

• They experienced consistently higher yields and greater financial security.

• They were able to reduce their reliance on irrigation due to the new seeds.

• They incurred high-interest loans for expensive seeds, and crop failures due to lack of monsoon rains led to overwhelming debt.

• The genetically modified cotton seeds were banned by the government, making their investment worthless.

Which of the following is an argument made by GMO supporters regarding their benefits?

• They decrease global agricultural productivity.

• They increase the risk of forests being turned into farmland.

• They reduce environmental destruction from chemical fertilizers and soil depletion.

• They are less sustainable than traditional agriculture.

What is a key difference between the history of the potato and Bt cotton?

• Bt cotton was domesticated much earlier than the potato.

• The potato has fewer varieties compared to Bt cotton.

• No one owned the potato plant, unlike Bt cotton.

• The potato is a genetically modified organism.

How has the introduction of genetically modified seeds changed the ownership and distribution of seeds?

• It has allowed small businesses and government research stations to gain more control over seed varieties.

• It has led to multinational seed companies monopolizing the ownership and sale of new plant varieties.

• It has made it illegal to patent any new plant varieties.

• It has ensured that farmers are always free to save and exchange native seeds without restrictions.

What is a key argument made by opponents of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

• All existing crops are solely the result of modern scientific advancements.

• International seed laws protect farmers' rights to access and exchange seeds freely.

• Corporations patent new plant varieties by modifying native seeds, restricting farmers' traditional practices.

• GMOs always lead to increased biodiversity in agricultural systems.