Entomological Society of America. “Insect-resistant maize could increase yields and decrease pesticide use in Mexico.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141117084715.htm>.
Mexican farmers use around 3,000 tons of active ingredient each year just to manage the fall armyworm and even more chemicals are used to control other pests. Mexican farmers don’t use methods used by large farms because many of them have way smaller farms than would be efficient and the farming conditions vary greatly. The use of bt corn could be a very good way of controlling the pest but cannot be implemented instantly. Bt corn is a genetically modified organism that is modified to protect against pest.
This is important because it shows that many of the pest management strategies are not always created with small farms in mind. It also shows that one way of controlling a pest does not work in all conditions. It shows that pest themselves have a great environmental impact because we kill of pest with large quantities of chemicals disregarding anything but our survival.
I think its really important to acknowledge that not all farms should be using the same pesticides and farms in different parts of the world face difference challenges regarding pests. Why are Mexican farmers not using Bt corn?
This is an interesting topic because the Mexican position on Bt Corn seems to be warranted. So far the corn that has spread wild from america has begun to breed with the native varieties and because this is the birthplace of all the corn species the genetic heritage of all corn is now at risk.
i think they should switch to bt corn so they don’t use so many pesticides and fertilizers to grow inferior corn. the bt corn is stronger and will hold up better in the sub tropical region in Mexico than regular corn because theres less risk of it rotting or being eaten by pests.
I agree with Alberto it seems that it may be the way to go, but do you think its the right thing to use BT corn