Biotechnology on the ground: what kind of future can farmers expect and what kind should they create?

Abstract

Farmers will face many challenges if they want to work in a small scale, organically based agricultural system. Little research and technology development has been done to support this alternative direction. Market infrastructures have not been developed, and public policies, for the most part, favor the trend towards consolidation. Public policies that put that alternative on a level playing field would help farmers gain a foothold in this “new economy,” “new paradigm” future.