Question

Due to the rapid increase in the world population one of the main issues that faces developing countries is that of food production.

As a starting point you need to assess the effectiveness of some Canadian technologies (ie Genetically modified Canola) and projects (Canadian International Development Agency, the Canada-based Micronutrient Initiative, Flour Fortification Initiative) intended to nourish expanding populations.

a) Provide a brief summary of the four initiatives mentioned above (include references)

b) In your opinion are they working?

c) What are the pros and cons of each?

so my project is about eco footprint and my teacher asked me to do more background research and then she mentioned these questions. now these technologies mentioned above. will they help our ecological footprint?

Answer 1

Yes, they will help is our ecologiacl footprint. As polpulation is increasing,human demand on natural capital (ecological foootprint), i.e. the quantity of nature it takes to support people or an economy is increasing. Our demand for food is increasing, because of which large area should cover only for farming. For farming we use no. of fertilizers, lots of water, which leads to bad impact on environment.

So, in todays time we need farming on large scale and  to develop such crops which is highly nutritious as well as have less impact on environment. For doing so Genetcally modified crops can help, e.g Genetically modified Canola.

How do GMOs affect the environment? If you’re interested in conservation and sustainable farming methods, then you should find out just how the environment benefits from GMOs. People sometimes assume that GMOs are bad for the environment. But, did you know that GMOs are one of the best tools farmers can use to protect our natural resources, like water, land and air? During the last 20 years, GMO technology has helped reduce pesticide application by 8% and improve crop yields by 22%. Genetically modified organisms are a type of plant breeding technology which is designed to help farmers preserve resources and use less chemicals, like pesticides, in their farming methods. GMO seeds that are pest-resistant allow farmers to use less pesticide applications.

The adoption genetically modified (GM) canola varietiesled to a lowering of the environmental foot print from growing canola (using the Environmental Impact Quotient1 (EIQ/ha). This was achieved through a reduction in the use of both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, primarily Group C herbicides (i.e. atrazine and simazine). These Group C herbicides are soil-active, residual herbicides with a higher risk of soil and groundwater contamination. Data showed that when GM growers replaced the application of Group C herbicides they reduced the active ingredients applied (-54%). Specifically, the data showed that the GM canola weed management systems, in comparison to TT:

> reduced the pre-emergent herbicide environmental foot print by 56%;

> reduced the post-emergent herbicide environmental foot print by 49%; and

> reduced the cumulative weed control program environmental foot print by 60%.

The GM canola weed management systems also allowed growers to achieve enhanced adoption of conservation tillage practices including:

> reduction (-29%) in the use of cultivation for weed control;

> increase (+39%) in the use of low soil impact cultivation equipment for weed control;

> increased (+5%) use of direct drilling equipment for crop establishment; and

> reduction in the consumption of diesel fuel (-16%) and emissions of compounds such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen).

The Micronutrient Initiative (MI) is the leading organization working exclusively to eliminate vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the world’s most vulnerable populations. Their mission is to  develop, implement and monitor innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions for hidden hunger, in partnership with others.thus reducing ecological footprint.in micronutrient interventions is convincing. Impressive results have been produced in a range of countries and settings, each with unique needs and challenges. Micronutrient interventions save and transform individual lives. As such, they produce national economic gains due to savings in health-care costs, maximization of investments in education, and increased economic activity. Added to these are the resulting intergenerational benefits of improved health, intellect and productivity. in micronutrient interventions is convincing. Impressive results have been produced in a range of countries and settings, each with unique needs and challenges. Micronutrient interventions save and transform individual lives. As such, they produce national economic gains due to savings in health-care costs, maximization of investments in education, and increased economic activity. Added to these are the resulting intergenerational benefits of improved health, intellect and productivity.