The Gates Foundation funded project ‘Golden Rice’(link is external) is an unnecessary and unwanted GMO technology driven by big agriculture corporations purely for profit. It endangers agrobiodiversity, self-determination and community health in the global south. Agroecologists & small-medium/peasant farmer networks have been campaigning against the propagation and commercialisation of Golden Rice since the mid-2000s(link is external) via protest and direct action resistance.
But in the looming COVID-19 recession—as the UN predicts the worst global food crisis in more than 50 years—corporate agri-imperialists are shamelessly taking advantage by amping up Golden Rice hype as a “solution” to the worsening hunger and malnutrition associated with the pandemic.
This is Episode 1 of a three part series featuring concerned activists from the Stop Golden Rice Network(link is external) speaking at an urgent online forum to commemorate the International Day of Action Against Golden Rice(link is external).
Speakers:
Kartini Samon GRAIN(link is external) (Indonesia) provides overview & background info on the corporate agenda behind the "philanthropic" facade that is the primarily Gates Foundation funded Golden Rice project.
Cris Panerio MASIPAG(link is external) (Philippines) intros the nitty gritty on the issues with the Golden Rice GMO.
Earth Matters #1257 was produced by Nicky Stott
Bec Horridge, Claudia Craig & Mia Audrey.