The Big Seed and Cultivar Hybridization Industry
The global seed and hybrid crossbreeding industry. It is not enough to look at the question for a long time to cry foul.
In the light of these two related reports below, we learn that not to mention the loss of genetic diversity that results from this seed monopoly, there are unfortunately child workers behind the production of seeds offered by large industries. The latter give back so little to the farmers that they are not able to pay the minimum wage to their employees (which is $6.25 Canadian per day).
The companies buy them back a kilo of tomato seeds for $148 and if they only received $37 more per kilo they would be able to pay the minimum wage to their employees (and certainly not hire children).
$148 per KILO. When I think of the area, the work and the number of fruits grown (a mountain!), pollinated and harvested to make 1 kilo of seeds! This same kilo which is bought for $148 from the producer and which is resold for between 90,000 and 400,000 euros. It is certain that even with salaries at $6.25 the producer probably earns less than his employees! And what about the company that won $399,852. It must happen in my opinion.
In addition to the human factor, in the end, it is also the privatization of the living that results from this, because the hybrid varieties developed by the seed companies are for single use: the farmers must buy back the seeds of hybrids each year, while when it is pure and simple nature that provides them, it does so each year and free of charge and farmers can then self-sufficient in seeds, by their own means, and this, free of charge.
Here is another very good reason to encourage small artisanal seed companies in Quebec and to ask the right questions.
What types of vegetables does your family gardener grow? Hybrid cultivars or open-pollinated heirloom cultivars? What kind of plants does your garden center offer? Ask them the question, ask for the name of the variety of tomato, cabbage, pepper and google it. Does its name end with ''F1, F2, Hybrides''? It's a hybrid.
Tell them it's important to you as a consumer, to the future of all of us. It is OUR responsibility. Ask them for unhybridized vegetables.
Do you plant your own tomatoes and your own garden? This is the perfect opportunity to choose non-hybrid seeds and heirloom cultivars!
Happy listening, happy reading! And do not hesitate to circulate and share this important information around you, in your groups of gardeners and people aware of the condition of all humans and that of our planet!
For those who haven't yet listened to this excellent report on the global seed and hybrid crossbreeding industry, here it is:
Other interesting links and references if you are interested in the origin and nature of your seeds:
How Bayer-Monsanto Became One of the Worst Corporate Deals—in 12 Charts
McKenzie Seed Company acquired by Jiffy Canada Inc.
Roundup: Monsanto conviction upheld on appeal in California
List of varieties produced by Bayers and Seminis sold in Canada current year
“Cash Investigation”: the bitter taste of tomato seeds