Monsanto Monopoly on Seeds Threatens Global Food Security

Monsanto's dominance in the seed market is a major concern for global food security.

The company has acquired over 20 seed companies since 1990, including Seminis and DeKalb, giving it control of nearly 30% of the global seed market.

This consolidation of power allows Monsanto to dictate the terms of the seed trade, limiting choices for farmers and consumers.

Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) seeds are designed to be resistant to its own proprietary herbicides, such as Roundup.

Farmers who use these seeds are often forced to purchase additional herbicides from Monsanto, creating a cycle of dependency.

Monsanto has acquired numerous seed companies over the years, including Seminis, a leading developer of vegetable and fruit seeds.

This consolidation of the seed industry has led to a significant reduction in the number of seed companies, making it difficult for small farmers to access a diverse range of seeds.

Monsanto now owns over 40% of the global commercial seed market.

The company's dominance in the seed industry allows it to dictate the terms of trade, making it difficult for farmers to choose alternative seeds.

Monsanto's control over the seed market has also led to a decrease in the diversity of seeds available, making farmers more reliant on the company's patented seeds.

Rural areas like Iowa are suffering from the lack of competition in the seed industry.

Monsanto's control over the corn seed industry is getting stronger with the merger, which will leave farmers with no other option but to buy their bundled products.

Farmers will be forced to pay overpriced and shoddy services because they won't have a choice.

The mega-merger is moving forward with little concern from elected officials, not even a single senator raising the issue during confirmation hearings for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

This lack of oversight is partly due to the $120 million Monsanto and Bayer spent on lobbying elected officials at the federal level in the last decade.

We need to break up Monsanto and other Big Ag corporations to restore competition and bring vitality back to Iowa's rural communities.

Monopolies like Monsanto's have been shown to result in less innovation, fewer choices, and higher prices for farmers and consumers.

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Monsanto's control over the seed industry has led to a significant increase in seed prices, making it difficult for farmers to access the seeds they need.

The company's acquisition of key seed companies has allowed it to dominate the market, giving it the power to dictate prices and terms.

Farmers are often forced to pay high prices for seeds, which can be up to 10 times more expensive than they were in the 1990s.

This has led to a decline in the number of small-scale farmers, as they are unable to afford the high prices.

The high cost of seeds has also led to a decrease in crop diversity, as farmers are limited to growing the few high-priced varieties that are available.

Monsanto's control over the seed market has also made it difficult for farmers to save and replant their own seeds, which is a traditional practice in many farming communities.

This has led to a loss of genetic diversity and a reliance on a small number of high-priced seeds.