The title is hyperbole; the data collection and analysis are, - TopicsExpress



          

The title is hyperbole; the data collection and analysis are, nevertheless, aimed at selling more Monsanto seed and increasing their control on the food supply (and hence their profits). In other words, free data services provided in Africa could eventually feed back information about growing practices, disease and insect problems, and climate conditions. That information could be converted into seeds developed specifically for African fields and sold to African farmers. The ball is already rolling: In May the company announced the results of the first harvest in Kenya of a new variety of drought-resistant corn that had been in the works since 2008. Yields from the new seeds were twice the national average, the company reported. The real test for Monsantos data push will be closer to home. For farmers who have already signed on to the companys services, the next few years worth of harvests will show whether a smartphone app really can pull extra corn from their ground—and put extra cash in their pockets. Friedberg is confident that it will.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:22:30 +0000

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