Genetically Modified Maize in Mexico: Varied Responses to Technology

Mexico is known as the place of origin of maize in the world. Around 50 races and more than 400 varieties have been identified. For centuries, it has been one of the main sources of nutrients for the population. As genetically modified organisms (GMO's) have begun to gain salience as an economical alternative to grain shortage, social issues emerge that create increasing tensions with groups and non-governmental organizations (NGO's) that work for the protection of biodiversity, and for the preservation of traditions and culture. These tensions manifest themselves as opposition to the use of GMO's, and as the challenging of the role that multinational corporations play in the national economy. Among the general population, however, there is little knowledge about the possibilities, the risks and the economic impact of using GM seeds. The purpose of this research is to assess the outlook that corn producers have about the eventual use of GM seed in their farms, on the basis of a project that aims to characterize agricultural production units in different regions of the country, and to identify those variables that determine productivity, profitability and purchase decisions in maize-producing farms. Fieldwork was done in states that are considered to be representative of different patterns of technical and economic behavior in corn production through semi structured interviews with farmers and with representatives of producers' associations. The interviews assessed knowledge and attitudes towards technology and GMO's production patterns, and technical decision making in the farms. Secondary data analysis and time- series data were used to assess tendencies in economic variables and to monitor public opinion on issues related to GM corn production. Results point towards sharply stratified patterns of knowledge and opinion about GMO's that follow social and economic differences that are also deepening. Lower-level farmers tend to have no knowledge about hybrids and GMO's, and tend also to follow unprofitable practices in their production units. At the other end we find high-level large-scale farms, with intensive patterns of production and use of technologically sophisticated inputs and machinery.