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Navdanya logo represents unity of seed saving and plant breeding Sustaining agrobiodiversity CONSERVATION WORKS BEST AS LIVED EXPERIENCE Devon G. Peña | Seattle, WA |March 31, 2014 The struggle over the control of seed stocks did not start with the advent of modern agriculture at mid-20 th C. The Romans built granaries from rough-hewn granite and guarded their wheat, rye, barley, and seed stores for a reason ( Rickman 1971 ). The Colhua Mexica raided the seed dispensaries of Azcapotzalco after burning the codices in the libraries of the tyrant Maxtla when they first achieved independence from their Tecpanec oppressors in a revolt led by Tlacaélel ( León-Portillo 1963 [1990] ). Today, a handful of global biotechnology corporations and their philantrocapitalist allies are seeking an oligopolistic level of global control over seed stocks. This is once again pushing the frontiers of the struggle over seed into an extraordinary period of conflict that will redefine the nature of our collec...

Navdanya , the “nine seeds” Moderator’s Note: We just received this from Vandana Shiva through the GMO Activist listserv where an intense scientific discussion is under way regarding transgenic Golden Rice, a genetically-engineered crop that proponents swear will help avert the millions of cases of childhood blindness and other maladies associated with a Vitamin A deficiency that is currently widespread in Southeast Asia – for reasons that the proponents are unwilling to acknowledge or address, not the least of which is the destruction of more diverse native diets in the countries now facing this health problem. According to Shiva, Golden Rice is part of the monoculture production systems that have displaced indigenous crops and undermined the diversity of native diets, resulting in widespread nutrient deficiencies and therefore malnutrition. As she concludes: The real solution to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies is the growing and eating of biodiversity.   Biodiversity inte...