O que pensam os pequenos agricultores da Argentina sobre os cultivos geneticamente modificados?

Abstract

Ao longo dos últimos quinze anos, a Argentina tornou-se um dos maiores produtores e exportadores mundiais de cultivos geneticamente modificados (GM). Neste processo, questões como riscos ambientais, vantagens e desvantagens econômicas, a intensificação das desigualdades entre grandes e pequenos agricultores, entre outras, têm sido debatidas por diversos atores sociais. No entanto, os pequenos agricultores permanecem, em grande parte, ausentes da discussão. Neste artigo, são apresentados os resultados de um estudo utilizando grupos focais, sobre a percepção e as atitudes dos pequenos agricultores argentinos em relação aos cultivos GM. Os resultados sugerem satisfação dos agricultores locais com a nova tecnologia, mas também receios quanto aos impactos ambientais e sociais do cultivo de organismos geneticamente modificados.

Perceptions of Brazilian small-scale farmers about genetically modified crops

“…All farmers unanimously agreed that a reduction in the cost of herbicides was the main advantage of using GM soy, which corroborated data from Darr and Chern (2002), Van der Sluis and Van Scharrel (2002), Vara (2005), Chimmiri et al (2006), Hall (2008), and Massarani et al (2013). Previous studies carried out in Brazil also show that this is perceived to be the main advantage of GM over conventional crops (LIMA, 2005;FURLANETO et al, 2008;CÉLERES, 2010).…”

“…Some farmers declared that their yields increased when they adopted this new technology, which confirms data by Céleres (2010) and Massarani et al (2013). Others state that GM soy productivity was higher in the beginning but then began to fall, which supports the findings of research that show a worse performance for GM soy in relation to conventional crops (VAN DER SLUIS and VAN SCHARREL, 2002;FURLANETO et al, 2008).…”

“…Focus groups involving Argentine smallholders, conducted by Massarani et al (2013) 11 years after legal authorization of GM soy in the country, show that, despite a general perception of economic benefits, there was concern about the social changes ensuing from significant expansion of this crop. Most of the profits made from GM soy by these farmers came from renting out their land for commercial production and not from the crop itself.…”

“…For them, this led farmers to be more dependent on other agents and to an increase in the rural exodus and the loss of their skills and identity as farmers. Concerns about the environmental impact of GM crops were also found among Argentine farmers, especially with the appearance of herbicide-resistant weeds (MASSARANI et al, 2013).…”

“…In Brazil, contrary to neighboring Argentina, where GM crops were adopted in 1996 without opposition (MASSARANI et al, 2013); GM crops have been a controversial issue. Attempts were made in 1998 to produce this type of crop on a commercial scale, but legal battles led by the Consumer Defense Institute (IDEC) and Greenpeace managed to block the sale and delay official approval for cultivation of GM crops for nearly seven years.…”