Tag: agriculture

  • Tamil Adhiyaman Ikshvahu Introduced Sugarcane To World

    It is said that sugarcane was introduced to the world by New Guinea.

    Sugcarcane introduced by amilKing,and Ikshvahu.jpg
    Sugcarcane introduced by amilKing,and Ikshvahu.

    ‘Sugarcane is indigenous to tropical South and Southeast Asia.Different species likely originated in different locations, with Saccharum barberi originating in India and S. edule and S. officinarum in New Guinea. Approximately 70% of the sugar produced globally comes from S. officinarum and hybrids using this species. It is theorized that sugarcane was first domesticated as a crop in New Guinea around 6000 BC. New Guinean farmers and other early cultivators of sugarcane chewed the plant for its sweet juice. Early farmers in Southeast Asia, and elsewhere, may have also boiled the cane juice down to a viscous mass to facilitate transportation, but the earliest known production of crystalline sugar began in northern India. The exact date of the first cane sugar production is unclear. The earliest evidence of sugar production comes from ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts.’

    Fact do no not support this.

    Hindu Puranas state that  the Earth consisted of Seven Islands.

    For details please read my post.

    The Seven Islands and Seas.

    Continent/ Island Ocean
    Jambūdvīpa Lavanoda (Salt – ocean)
    Ghatki Khand Kaloda (Black sea)
    Puskarvardvīpa Puskaroda (Lotus Ocean)
    Varunvardvīpa Varunoda (Varun Ocean)
    Kshirvardvīpa Kshiroda (Ocean of milk)
    Ghrutvardvīpa Ghrutoda (Ghee ocean)
    Ikshuvardvīpa Iksuvaroda (Ocean of Sugarcane Juice)
    Nandishwardvīpa Nandishwaroda

    Goddess Lalithambika and God of Love,Manmatha hold Sugarcane in their hands.

    Sugarcane abhisheka is performed for the Deities.

    The ancestor and the founder of Lord Rama’s Dynasty,Ikshvahu name means ‘Sugarcane’

    As I have posted earlier Ikshvahu’s ancestor, Satyavrata Manu,also called Vaivasvatha Manu,migrated from the South,Tamil Nadu with his sons to the North.

    The Dravidas , people of the South,knew the cultivation of Sugarcane.

    There is a mention of this in Tamil Poet,Avvayar’s poem on King Adhiyaman .

     

    ‘அரும்பெறல் மரபின் கரும்பு இவண் தந்தும்,
    நீர்அக இருக்கை ஆழி சூட்டிய
    தொன்னிலை மரபின் நின் முன்னோர் போல,
    ஈகைஅம் கழற்கால் இரும்பனம் புடையல்,
    பூவார் காவின், புனிற்றுப் புலால் நெடுவேல்,
    எழுபொறி நாட்டத்து எழாஅத் தாயம்
    வழுவின்று எய்தியும் அமையாய், செருவேட்டு,
    இமிழ்குரல் முரசின் எழுவரொடு முரணிச்
    சென்று, அமர் கடந்து, நின் ஆற்றல் தோற்றிய
    அன்றும், பாடுநர்க்கு அரியை; இன்றும்
    பரணன் பாடினன் மற்கொல், மற்று நீ
    முரண் மிகு கோவலூர் நூறி, நின்
    அரண் அடு திகிரி ஏந்திய தோளே!
    வட்கர் போகிய வளரிளம் போந்தை
    உச்சிக் கொண்ட ஊசி வெண்தோட்டு,

    The Italicised portion means,’ you (Adhiyaman) has given the wolrd Sugarcane(Karumbu)

    Tamils,Kannadgas and Telugus celebrate New year with Sugarcane, though the the first day of the New Year varies from the tamils for the Kannadigas and Telugus.

    It may be noted that the Sanskrit word Sharkara is the root for the word Sugarcane.

     

    Their first Thirthankara Rishabadeva (Adi Nath) was the one who taught the people of extraction of sugarcane juice. So he was known as Ikshvaku. Another version is that he took sugarcane juice after a year of fasting.( Jain Puranas)

  • For Agriculture Field Kshetrapati Suktham

    Hinduism accords priority to Nature.

     

    There are Sukthas on the Earth, on Water,Fire,Cow and there are Mantras for the welfare of the animals too.

     

     

    Here is the one on Agriculture.

     

    क्षेत्रस्य पतिना वयं हितेनेव जयामसि
    गामश्वं पोषयित्न्वा नो मृळातीदृशे ॥१॥
    Kssetrasya Patinaa Vayam Hitene[a-I]va Jayaamasi |
    Gaam-Ashvam Possayitnvaa Sa No Mrllaatii-Drshe ||1||

    Meaning:
    1.1: We invoke the Lord of the Kshetra (i.e. Kshetrapati or Lord of the Field) by whose Grace indeed we Prosper,
    1.2: May He through His Gracious Look increase our Cattle and Horses.

     

    क्षेत्रस्य पते मधुमन्तमूर्मिं धेनुरिव पयो अस्मासु धुक्ष्व
    मधुश्चुतं घृतमिव सुपूतमृतस्य नः पतयो मृळयन्तु ॥२॥
    Kssetrasya Pate Madhumantam-Uurmim Dhenur-Iva Payo Asmaasu Dhukssva |
    Madhush-Cutam Ghrtam-Iva Supuutam-Rtasya Nah Patayo Mrllayantu ||2||

    Meaning:
    2.1: O Lord of the Kshetra (Field), with the Sweet Waves of Mother Nature’s blessings, may you milk our Fields like the Milk of a Cow (i.e. yield abundant Harvest),
    2.2: With the Sweetness of Rita (Mother Nature’s Divine Law confering bounty), which falls like Clarified Butter, may You shed your Grace on us.

     

    मधुमतीरोषधीर्द्याव आपो मधुमन्नो भवत्वन्तरिक्षम्
    क्षेत्रस्य पतिर्मधुमान्नो अस्त्वरिष्यन्तो अन्वेनं चरेम ॥३॥
    Madhumatiir-Ossadhiir-Dyaava Aapo Madhuman-No Bhavatv[u]-Antarikssam |
    Kssetrasya Patir-Madhumaan-No Astv[u]-Arissyanto Anvenam Carema ||3||

    Meaning:
    3.1: May the Plants be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), may the Sky be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), may the Waters be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), and may the Space be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity) to us.
    3.2: May the Lord of the Kshetra (Field) be Sweet to us, and may we be devoted Followers of Him (i.e. take recourse to Nature’s Bounty and Prosper).

     

    शुनं वाहाः शुनं नरः शुनं कृषतु लाङ्गलम्
    शुनं वरत्रा बध्यन्तां शुनमष्ट्रामुदिङ्गय ॥४॥
    Shunam Vaahaah Shunam Narah Shunam Krssatu Laanggalam |
    Shunam Varatraa Badhyantaam Shunam-Assttraam-Udinggaya ||4||

    Meaning:
    4.1: May the Oxen drawing the Plough bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Farmer driving the Oxen bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Plough making Furrows bring Welfare and Prosperity to all,
    4.2: May the Strap binding the Plough bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, and May the Goad swinging towards the Oxen bring Welfare and Prosperity to all.

     

    शुनासीराविमां वाचं जुषेथां यद्दिवि चक्रथुः पयः
    तेनेमामुप सिञ्चतम् ॥५॥
    Shunaa-Siira-Avi-Maam Vaacam Jussethaam Yad-Divi Cakrathuh Payah |
    Tena-Imaam-Upa Sin.catam ||5||

    Meaning:
    5.1: May Shuna and Shira (deities of the Farmers) Who created Waters (i.e. Clouds) in the Sky be Pleased with our Prayers,
    5.2: And by It (i.e. by the Clouds), (may they) sprinkle Waters (in our Fields as Rains).

     

     

    अर्वाची सुभगे भव सीते वन्दामहे त्वा
    यथा नः सुभगाससि यथा नः सुफलाससि ॥६॥
    Arvaacii Subhage Bhava Siite Vandaamahe Tvaa |
    Yathaa Nah Subhagaas-Asi Yathaa Nah Suphalaas-Asi ||6||

    Meaning:
    6.1: O Devi Sita, turn towards us and be Gracious, we Extol and Worship You, …
    (This is Sita of Rig Veda which is much earlier than Ramayana)
    6.2:so that You become Favourable to us (by showering Your blessings), so that You become the source of abundant Harvest.

     

     

    इन्द्रः सीतां नि गृह्णातु तां पूषानु यच्छतु
    सा नः पयस्वती दुहामुत्तरामुत्तरां समाम् ॥७॥
    Indrah Siitaam Ni Grhnnaatu Taam Puussaanu Yacchatu |
    Saa Nah Payasvatii Duhaam-Uttaraam-Uttaraam Samaam ||7||

    Meaning:
    7.1: May Indra take hold of the Furrows (while we plough), and may Pushan sustain Her (i.e sustain the Furrows),
    7.2: May She (i.e. Mother Earth) Who is full of Milk, yield us abundant Crops Year after Year.

     

    शुनं नः फाला वि कृषन्तु भूमिं शुनं कीनाशा अभि यन्तु वाहैः
    शुनं पर्जन्यो मधुना पयोभीः शुनासीरा शुनमस्मासु धत्तम् ॥८॥
    Shunam Nah Phaalaa Vi Krssantu Bhuumim Shunam Kiinaashaa Abhi Yantu Vaahaih |
    Shunam Parjanyo Madhunaa Payobhiih Shunaa-Siiraa Shunam-Asmaasu Dhattam ||8||

    Meaning:
    8.1: May the Ploughshare making Furrows on the Earth bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Farmer driving the Oxen bring Welfare and Prosperity to all,
    8.2: May Parjanya (the Rain God) by giving Sweet Rains (i.e. Pure Rain Waters) bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, and May Shuna and Shira bestow Welfare and Prosperity to all of us.

     

     

  • Unit Of Rain Agriculture Veda Suktha

    Hindus have not left Agriculture unattended in the Vedic Texts.

     

    The Vedic Society was rural.

     

    Hinduism is a Religion which has sacred Boo Suktham to praise Mother Earth.

     

    The Cow and the Bull were venerated and worshiped.

     

    The Plough and the Agricultural implements were worshiped during Ayudha Pooja.

     

    The feed that has to be given to the Cows and Bull are prescribed.

     

    Earth, being one of the Five Elements of Nature was venerated.

     

    Earth  was is called Priithvi after the King Prithvi who was the first man to plough it.

     

    Mother Earth is the consort of Lord Vishnu, Boo Devi.

     

    Indra, the Chief of Devatas ids the controller of Rains.

    Vrukshayur Veda Text.jpg
    Vrukshayur Veda Text. Image Credit.http://www.mvoai.org/

     

    He was offered special Pooja, failure to offer this resulted in Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhanagiri.

     

    Sage Parasara wrote the first treatise on Agriculture, Krishi Parasara’.

     

    He also wrote Vrukshayurved, on Trees and Ayur Veda.

     

    In the former he discusses Rain, Rain forecasting, Unit of Rain,Rain measurement in detail, and Field crops.

     

    He discusses seed preparation. nursery preparation, transplanting of seedlings,thrashing and harvesting.

     

    Auspicious day and time were provided.

     

    The Unit of Rain is called ‘Adhaka’

     

    Rishi Garga also wrote on Agriculture.

     

    Kashyapa wrote ‘Kasyapa Krishi Suktha’

     

    Varahamihira discusses Rain in Bruhat Samhita.

     

    He explains another measurement of Rain, Drona.

     

    Kautilya Artha Shastra fame also discusses Rain and Agriculture.

     

    Paddy(Oryza Saitva) originated from India.

     

    Indian Texts on Agriculture.

     

    1.Krishi Parasara

    2.Krishi Kasyapa.

    3.Bruhat Samhita.

    4.Vrushayur Veda(By Charaka,Susruta and Vagbhata)

    5.Tarkasangraha.

    6.Kadambini.

    7.Upvanvinod.

    8.Vrukshavallabha. and

     

    The Rig Veda.

     

    The Ksheerapati Suktha,The Rig Veda.

     

    क्षेत्रस्य पतिना वयं हितेनेव जयामसि
    गामश्वं पोषयित्न्वा नो मृळातीदृशे ॥१॥
    Kssetrasya Patinaa Vayam Hitene[a-I]va Jayaamasi |
    Gaam-Ashvam Possayitnvaa Sa No Mrllaatii-Drshe ||1||

    Meaning:
    1.1: We invoke the Lord of the Kshetra (i.e. Kshetrapati or Lord of the Field) by whose Grace indeed we Prosper,
    1.2: May He through His Gracious Look increase our Cattle and Horses.

     

    क्षेत्रस्य पते मधुमन्तमूर्मिं धेनुरिव पयो अस्मासु धुक्ष्व
    मधुश्चुतं घृतमिव सुपूतमृतस्य नः पतयो मृळयन्तु ॥२॥
    Kssetrasya Pate Madhumantam-Uurmim Dhenur-Iva Payo Asmaasu Dhukssva |
    Madhush-Cutam Ghrtam-Iva Supuutam-Rtasya Nah Patayo Mrllayantu ||2||

    Meaning:
    2.1: O Lord of the Kshetra (Field), with the Sweet Waves of Mother Nature‘s blessings, may you milk our Fields like the Milkof a Cow (i.e. yield abundant Harvest),
    2.2: With the Sweetness of Rita (Mother Nature’s Divine Law confering bounty), which falls like Clarified Butter, may Youshed your Grace on us.

    मधुमतीरोषधीर्द्याव आपो मधुमन्नो भवत्वन्तरिक्षम्
    क्षेत्रस्य पतिर्मधुमान्नो अस्त्वरिष्यन्तो अन्वेनं चरेम ॥३॥
    Madhumatiir-Ossadhiir-Dyaava Aapo Madhuman-No Bhavatv[u]-Antarikssam |
    Kssetrasya Patir-Madhumaan-No Astv[u]-Arissyanto Anvenam Carema ||3||

    Meaning:
    3.1: May the Plants be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), may the Sky be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), may the Waters be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity), and may the Space be Sweet (i.e. filled with Nature’s Purity) to us.
    3.2: May the Lord of the Kshetra (Field) be Sweet to us, and may we be devoted Followers of Him (i.e. take recourse to Nature’s Bounty and Prosper).

    शुनं वाहाः शुनं नरः शुनं कृषतु लाङ्गलम्
    शुनं वरत्रा बध्यन्तां शुनमष्ट्रामुदिङ्गय ॥४॥
    Shunam Vaahaah Shunam Narah Shunam Krssatu Laanggalam |
    Shunam Varatraa Badhyantaam Shunam-Assttraam-Udinggaya ||4||

    Meaning:
    4.1: May the Oxen drawing the Plough bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Farmer driving the Oxen bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Plough making Furrows bring Welfare and Prosperity to all,
    4.2: May the Strap binding the Plough bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, and May the Goad swinging towards the Oxen bring Welfare and Prosperity to all.

    शुनासीराविमां वाचं जुषेथां यद्दिवि चक्रथुः पयः
    तेनेमामुप सिञ्चतम् ॥५॥
    Shunaa-Siira-Avi-Maam Vaacam Jussethaam Yad-Divi Cakrathuh Payah |
    Tena-Imaam-Upa Sin.catam ||5||

    Meaning:
    5.1: May Shuna and Shira (deities of the Farmers) Who created Waters (i.e. Clouds) in the Sky be Pleased with our Prayers,
    5.2: And by It (i.e. by the Clouds), (may they) sprinkle Waters (in our Fields as Rains).

    अर्वाची सुभगे भव सीते वन्दामहे त्वा
    यथा नः सुभगाससि यथा नः सुफलाससि ॥६॥
    Arvaacii Subhage Bhava Siite Vandaamahe Tvaa |
    Yathaa Nah Subhagaas-Asi Yathaa Nah Suphalaas-Asi ||6||

    Meaning:
    6.1: O Devi Sita, turn towards us and be Gracious, we Extol and Worship You, …
    (This is Sita of Rig Veda which is much earlier than Ramayana)
    6.2:so that You become Favourable to us (by showering Your blessings), so that You become the source of abundant Harvest.

    इन्द्रः सीतां नि गृह्णातु तां पूषानु यच्छतु
    सा नः पयस्वती दुहामुत्तरामुत्तरां समाम् ॥७॥
    Indrah Siitaam Ni Grhnnaatu Taam Puussaanu Yacchatu |
    Saa Nah Payasvatii Duhaam-Uttaraam-Uttaraam Samaam ||7||

    Meaning:
    7.1: May Indra take hold of the Furrows (while we plough), and may Pushan sustain Her (i.e sustain the Furrows),
    7.2: May She (i.e. Mother Earth) Who is full of Milk, yield us abundant Crops Year after Year.

    शुनं नः फाला वि कृषन्तु भूमिं शुनं कीनाशा अभि यन्तु वाहैः
    शुनं पर्जन्यो मधुना पयोभीः शुनासीरा शुनमस्मासु धत्तम् ॥८॥
    Shunam Nah Phaalaa Vi Krssantu Bhuumim Shunam Kiinaashaa Abhi Yantu Vaahaih |
    Shunam Parjanyo Madhunaa Payobhiih Shunaa-Siiraa Shunam-Asmaasu Dhattam ||8||

    Meaning:
    8.1: May the Ploughshare making Furrows on the Earth bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, May the Farmer driving the Oxenbring Welfare and Prosperity to all,
    8.2: May Parjanya (the Rain God) by giving Sweet Rains (i.e. Pure Rain Waters) bring Welfare and Prosperity to all, and MayShuna and Shira bestow Welfare and Prosperity to all of us.

     

     

    Citation, For Suktha.

    www.greenmesg.org

     

     

  • Monsanto Seeds Can Not be Reused

    img[Attributes Style] { width: 439px; height: 439px;
    Monsanto Protest Sign. Global Liberation Network.
    I have written a couple of posts on Organically Modified Food,Monsanto Company and how the Corporate company’s product and its Policies are destroying the livelihood of the Farmers and Farmers in India to such an extent that over 2000 farmers committed suicide.

    The Supreme Court of The United States had upheld the submission of Monsanto that the use of seeds of the produce from Monsanto seeds is illegal and violates Monsanto Patent .

    This means that once the farmer buys and used the Monsanto seeds he is stuck with them for seeds forever for the seeds and it is also a fact that the land, where these seeds are used, will not yield for any other seeds, natural or otherwise.

    Well, Law, being an Ass and one that swings to those who control Money always sees the correct implication of The  Law, a in ‘Patent’ here,, conveniently overlooks, intentionally or otherwise, that i is he livelihood of the Farmers and the land which supports the World!

    Story:

    The Supreme Court is on a summer break, after a session that was controversial and history making. However, behind the high-profile cases making headlines were more than 70 other important cases decided without much fanfare.

     

    The Judgement:

    Our holding today is limited—addressing the situa-
    tion before us, rather than every one involving a selfreplicating product. We recognize that such inventions
    are becoming ever more prevalent, complex, and diverse.
    In another case, the article’s self-replication might occur
    outside the purchaser’s control. Or it might be a necessary
    but incidental step in using the item for another purpose.
    Cf. 17 U. S. C. §117(a)(1) (“[I]t is not [a copyright] infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program
    to make . . . another copy or adaptation of that computer
    program provide[d] that such a new copy or adaptation is
    created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program”). We need not address here whether or
    how the doctrine of patent exhaustion would apply in such
    circumstances. In the case at hand, Bowman planted
    Monsanto’s patented soybeans solely to make and market
    replicas of them, thus depriving the company of the reward patent law provides for the sale of each article.
    Patent exhaustion provides no haven for that conduct. We
    accordingly affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals
    for the Federal Circuit.

    http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/11-796_c07d.pdf

    The case development and Link:

    http://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docketfiles/11-796.htm

    There seems to be undue haste in promoting BT Brinjals in India,when Monsanto has already ruined our Agriculturists.
    The side effects of BT on soil and the health of humans are yet to be fully studied.
    Why hurry?
    Karnataka is Right.
    Story:
    Karnataka Horticulture Minister Umesh Katti on Monday (February 8) said that the state government would enforce ban on the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal in the state. “We will ban commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal. We have already written to the Centre seeking its deferment,” Horticulture Minister Umesh Katti said. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has already said that the Centre would announce its decision on commercial production of the genetically modified crop on February 10″..

    “Do we want to add small retailers to this list by inviting Wal-Mart and others though by FDI in India?

    “Indigenous cotton varieties can be intercropped with food crops. Bt-cotton can only be grown as a monoculture. Indigenous cotton is rain fed. Bt-cotton needs irrigation. Indigenous varieties are pest resistant. Bt-cotton, even though promoted as resistant to the bollworm, has created new pests, and to control these new pests, farmers are using 13 times more pesticides then they were using prior to introduction of Bt-cotton. And finally, Monsanto sells its GMO seeds on fraudulent claims of yields of 1500/kg/year when farmers harvest 300-400 kg/year on an average.”

    Sources:

    http://ramanisblog.in/2010/02/08/bt-brinjal-scientific-study/

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/12/10/monsanto-causes-three-lakh-farmers-suicide-in-india-movie/

    Monsanto Legal Actions around the World:

    Monsanto has had a controversial history in India, starting with the accusation that Monsanto used terminator genes in its seeds, causing demonstrations against the company. Later, its GM cotton seed was the subject of NGO agitation because of its higher cost. Indian farmers cross GM varieties with local varieties using plant breeding to yield better strains, an illegal practice termed “seed piracy”.[228][229] In 2009, high prices of Bt Cotton were blamed for forcing farmers of the district Jhabua into severe debts when the crops died due to lack of rain.[230]

    Bt resistance[edit]

    In 2009, Monsanto scientists initially discovered that insects had developed resistance to the Bt Cotton planted in Gujarat and when studies were completed, Monsanto communicated this to the Indian government and its customers, stating that “Resistance is natural and expected, so measures to delay resistance are important. Among the factors that may have contributed to pink bollworm resistance to the Cry1Ac protein in Bollgard I in Gujarat are limited refuge planting and early use of unapproved Bt cotton seed, planted prior to GEAC approval of Bollgard I cotton, which may have had lower protein expression levels.”[231] The company advised farmers to switch to its second generation of Bt cotton – Bolguard II – which had two resistance genes instead of one.[232] However, this advice was criticized; an article in The Hindu reported that “an internal analysis of the statement of the Ministry of Environment and Forests says it ‘appears that this could be a business strategy to phase out single gene events [that is, the first generation Bollgard I product] and promote double genes [the second generation Bollgard II] which would fetch higher price.’”[233]

    Andhra Pradesh state government[edit]

    In the early 2000s, farmers in the state of Andhra Pradesh, were in economic crisis due to high interest rates and crop failures, leading to widespread social unrest and suicides.[234] Monsanto was one focus of protests with respect to the price of Bt seed and yields of Bt seed. In 2005, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, the Indian regulatory authority, released a study on field tests of certain Bt cotton strains in Andhra Pradesh and ruled that Monsanto could not market those strains in Andhra Pradesh because the yields were poor, and extended the ban on one of them, Mech-12 Bt, to all of south India.[235] At about the same time, the state agriculture minister barred the company from selling any Bt cotton seeds in the state, because Monsanto refused a request by the state government to provide a compensation package of about Rs 4.5 crore (about 1 Million US$) to indebted farmers in some districts, and because the government blamed Monsanto’s Bt seeds for crop failures.[236] The order was later lifted. In 2006, the Andhra Pradesh state government tried to convince Monsanto to reduce the price at which it sold Bt seeds. When Monsanto did not reduce the price enough to satisfy the government, the state filed several cases against Monsanto and its Mumbai based licensee Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds.[237]

    Child labor[edit]

    As in much of the developing world and especially in agricultural areas, child labor is widespread in India’s agricultural sector, which employs ~60% of India’s child labor. Child labor is especially used in seed production.[238] The seed production is done mostly through child labor—it is carried out on plots owned by small farmers, who sell the seed to “seed organizers”, who in turn sell the seed to public and private seed agencies and companies.[238] The public and private agencies and companies include Indian state corporations, Mahyco-Monsanto, Syngenta, and others.[239]Monsanto’s website states that the company complies with all child labor laws and that they are working towards minimizing its occurrence.[240]

    Farmer suicides[edit]

    In the late 1990s and early 2000s, public attention was drawn to suicides by indebted farmers in India following crop failures.[241]

    Critics, including Vandana Shiva, said that the crop failures could “often be traced to” Monsanto’s Bt cotton, and that the seeds increased farmers’ indebtedness, and argued that Monsanto misrepresented the profitability of their genetically modified cotton, Bt Cotton, causing farmers to suffer losses leading to debt.[241][242][243][244][245] In 2009, Ms. Shiva wrote that Indian farmers who had previously spent as little as 7 rupees per kilogram were now paying up to Rs. 17,000 per kilo per year after switching to BT cotton.[246] More recently, in 2012 the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) stated that for the first time farmer suicides could be linked to a decline in the performance of Bt cotton, and they issued an advisory stating that “cotton farmers are in a deep crisis since shifting to Bt cotton. The spate of farmer suicides in 2011-12 has been particularly severe among Bt cotton farmers.” [247]

    In 2004, in response to a request from the All India Biodynamic and Organic Farming Association, the Mumbai High Court required the Tata Institute to produce a report on farmer suicides inMaharashtra, and the institute submitted its report in March 2005.[248][249] The survey cited “government apathy, the absence of a safety net for farmers, and lack of access to information related to agriculture as the chief causes for the desperate condition of farmers in the state.”[248]

    (wiki)

    Judgement Text in pdf.

     

    No. 11-796
    Title:
    Vernon Hugh Bowman, Petitioner
    v.
    Monsanto Company, et al.
    Docketed: December 22, 2011
    Lower Ct: United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
      Case Nos.: (2010-1068)
      Decision Date: September 21, 2011
    Questions Presented

     

    ~~~Date~~~ ~~~~~~~Proceedings  and  Orders~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Dec 20 2011 Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 23, 2012)
    Jan 19 2012 Waiver of right of respondent Monsanto Company to respond filed.
    Jan 25 2012 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 17, 2012.
    Jan 26 2012 Response Requested . (Due February 27, 2012)
    Feb 27 2012 Brief of respondents Monsanto Company, et al. in opposition filed.
    Mar 14 2012 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 30, 2012.
    Apr 2 2012 The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
    Aug 24 2012 Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
    Sep 4 2012 Supplemental brief of petitioner Vernon Hugh Bowman filed.
    Sep 5 2012 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.
    Oct 1 2012 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 5, 2012.
    Oct 5 2012 Petition GRANTED.
    Nov 8 2012 The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner’s brief on the merits is extended to and including December 3, 2012.
    Nov 9 2012 The time to file respondents’ brief on the merits is extended to and including January 16, 2013.
    Dec 3 2012 Joint appendix filed (2 volumes). (Statement of costs filed.)
    Dec 3 2012 Brief of petitioner Vernon Hugh Bowman filed.
    Dec 10 2012 Brief amicus curiae of Knowledge Ecology International filed.
    Dec 10 2012 Brief amici curiae of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, et al. filed.
    Dec 10 2012 Brief amici curiae of American Antitrust Institute, et al. filed.
    Dec 10 2012 Brief amicus curiae of Public Patent Foundation filed.
    Dec 10 2012 Brief amici curiae of Center for Food Safety and Save Our Seeds filed.
    Dec 18 2012 SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, February 19, 2013.
    Jan 4 2013 CIRCULATED.
    Jan 4 2013 Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either partry or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents.
    Jan 8 2013 Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 9 2013 Record received form the U.S.C.A. for the Federal Circuit. (1 Box)
    Jan 11 2013 Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
    Jan 16 2013 Brief of respondents Monsanto Company, et al. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 17 2013 Brief amicus curiae of BayhDole25, Inc. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 18 2013 Brief amicus curiae of Intellectual Property Owners Association filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 22 2013 Brief amicus curiae of The New York Intellectual Property Law Association filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of CropLife America filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of BSA – The Software Alliance filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of American Seed Trade Association filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of Washington Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of Biotechnology Industry Organization filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of CropLife International filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of American Intellectual Property Law Association filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amici curiae of Ecomonists filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of law professor Christopher M. Holman filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of CHS Inc. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amici curiae of Agilent Technologies, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amici curiae of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, et al. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amici curiae of American Soybean Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
    Jan 23 2013 Brief amicus curiae of Pioneeer Hi-Bred International, Inc. filed. (Distributed)

     

     

  • China making Plastic Rice?

    “Various reports in Singapore media have said that Chinese companies are mass producing fake rice made, in part, out of plastic, according to one online publication Very Vietnam.

    The “rice” is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic. The potatoes are first formed into the shape of rice grains. Industrial synthetic resins are then added to the mix. The rice reportedly stays hard even after being cooked.

    The Korean-language Weekly Hong Kong reported that the fake rice is being sold in the Chinese town of Taiyuan, in Shaanxi province.

    “A Chinese Restaurant Association official said that eating three bowls of this fake rice would be like eating one plastic bag. Due to the seriousness of the matter, he added that there would be an investigation of factories alleged to be producing the rice,” Very Vietnam noted.

    Unfortunately, it’s not the first time fake rice has been sold in China, according to China’s Global Times.

    Previously, a company in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province had added flavoring to ordinary rice to synthesize “Wuchang rice,” which is regarded to be the best rice in the country.

    About 300,000 people were injured and at least six infants died in 2008 when Chinese milk and infant formula was found to be adulterated with melamine, which was thought to help the milk pass nutrition tests.

    Later that year, melamine was also discovered in Chinese eggs.

    http://current.com/news/92987451_is-china-making-plastic-rice.htm?xid=320