The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), aided by a giant U.S. seed company, “are testing a new approach to improve the production of corn among the millions of poor, small-scale farmers who dominate African agriculture,” says the Des Moines (Iowa) Register. The demonstration project in Ethiopia gives farmers bags of DuPont Pioneer hybrid seed – a nonbiotech variety – and trains them in how to plant the seeds and apply chemcial fertilizers. Most Ethiopian farmers till their land by hand or harness oxen for plowing. They broadcast seed by hand.
“Under the program, farmers are given seeds the first year. After that, they have to buy them,” says the Register. Initial results showed promise – yields quadrupled for some farmers. The project began with 320 farmers in 2013, grew to 3,000 this year and is to expand to 30,000 in 2015. Critics say the United States should not rely on assistance from profit-seeking corporations in its foreign aid work. In Ethiopia, the government controls the price of public-sector seed so it is hard for companies like Pioneer to compete. As a result, Pioneer seed can cost three times as much as local varieties. One government official says farmers buy it anyway because of superior yields.
While USAID sponsors the demonstration project, it is up to the host nation to see that successful ideas are adopted.