>As specific, value-added traits, especially quality traits are incorporated
>in grain varieties (transgenically or by traditional breeding), a major
>concern in the seed industry is how to capture some of that value. Grain as
>a standard commodity does not make it very easy for the seed industry to
>capture value from many kinds of improvements.
>
>I believe that public fear of genetic engineering and the desire of the
>milling and seed industries for identity-preserved grain, will work together
>to gradually decommodify grain crops. I think this may improve the lot of
>the small farmer, by distinguishing products in the marketplace, and by
>creating opportunities to manage crops to specifically enhance an end-use
>property.
>
>Dale
This is an insightful comment, Dale. (I would only add that an imporant
"quality trait" is not being transgenic). I think this is part of w
broader process in the food industry, and not restrictied to grains. This
is really what organic foods are all about. It is still too early to bea
able to say that this decommidification trend will dominate, yet it does
offer a very different possible future. In a decommodified food industry,
the small farmer could be at a real advantage over the large food
corporation. My own view is, that for this reason, smallholders are the
future of food production in most sectors.
>
Ronald Nigh
Dana, A.C.
Mexico, D.F. & San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Tel. y FAX 525-666-73-66 (DF)
529-678-72-15 (Chiapas)
danamex@mail.internet.com.mx
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