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The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply: The Culture of the Land

W.H. Auden

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Published in Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking Of The Global Food Supply (Culture Of The Land)

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The global food supply is under threat from a number of factors, including climate change, population growth, and the increasing demand for food from a growing middle class. But one of the most serious threats is the hijacking of the global food supply by a small number of powerful corporations.

Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply (Culture of the Land)

by Vandana Shiva

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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These corporations are using their control over the food supply to drive up prices, reduce competition, and push farmers out of business. This is having a devastating impact on food security around the world, and it is also contributing to the destruction of the environment.

The Concentration of Power in the Food Industry

The concentration of power in the food industry has been growing for decades. In the United States, for example, the four largest meatpacking companies now control more than 80% of the market. The four largest seed companies control more than 60% of the global seed market. And the four largest grain traders control more than 70% of the global grain trade.

This concentration of power gives these corporations an enormous amount of control over the food supply. They can use this control to set prices, limit competition, and influence government policies.

The Impact of Corporate Control on Food Prices

One of the most damaging impacts of corporate control of the food supply is the rise in food prices. Over the past decade, food prices have risen at a rate that is outpacing inflation. This is due in part to the increasing demand for food from a growing middle class, but it is also due to the consolidation of the food industry.

When a small number of corporations control the food supply, they can raise prices without fear of competition. This is because farmers have no other choice but to sell their products to these corporations. And consumers have no other choice but to buy food from these corporations.

The rise in food prices is having a devastating impact on families around the world. In developing countries, food prices are often the single largest expense for families. When food prices rise, families have less money to spend on other necessities, such as healthcare and education.

The Impact of Corporate Control on Competition

Another damaging impact of corporate control of the food supply is the reduction in competition. When a small number of corporations control the food supply, there is less competition for farmers and consumers.

For farmers, this means that they have less bargaining power when it comes to selling their products. Corporations can offer farmers low prices for their products, knowing that farmers have no other choice but to sell to them.

For consumers, this means that they have less choice when it comes to buying food. Corporations can raise prices without fear of competition, and they can also reduce the quality of their products.

The Impact of Corporate Control on Farmers

The concentration of power in the food industry is also having a devastating impact on farmers. Over the past few decades, the number of farmers in the United States has declined by more than half. This is due in part to the rise in food prices, which has made it difficult for farmers to compete with large corporations.

But it is also due to the fact that corporations are increasingly pushing farmers out of business. Corporations are ng this by buying up land, consolidating farms, and using their power to influence government policies.

The loss of farmers is having a devastating impact on rural communities. Farmers are often the backbone of rural communities, and when they are forced out of business, these communities often decline.

The Impact of Corporate Control on the Environment

The concentration of power in the food industry is also having a negative impact on the environment. Corporations are often driven by the profit motive, and they are not always concerned about the environmental impact of their practices.

For example, corporations often use unsustainable farming practices that damage the soil and water. They also often use pesticides and herbicides that can harm wildlife and human health.

The Culture of the Land

The hijacking of the global food supply by a small number of corporations is a serious threat to food security, the environment, and rural communities. It is also a threat to the culture of the land.

The culture of the land is the way that we relate to the land and the food that it provides. It is a set of values and practices that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The culture of the land is based on the idea that the land is a gift from God, and that we have a responsibility to care for it. It is also based on the idea that food is a sacred gift, and that we should be grateful for the food that we have.

The hijacking of the global food supply is a threat to the culture of the land because it undermines these values and practices. It promotes the idea that the land is a commodity that can be bought and sold, and that food is a product that can be produced for profit. This is a dangerous idea, and it is one that is leading to the destruction of our planet.

What Can We Do?

There are a number of things that we can do to fight back against the hijacking of the global food supply.

We can support farmers by buying local food and organic food.
We can support organizations that are working to promote sustainable agriculture.
We can advocate for policies that support farmers and protect the environment.

We can also work to change the way that we think about food. We can start by thinking of food as a gift, and by being grateful for the food that we have. We can also start by cooking more meals at home, and by growing our own food. These are small steps, but they can make a big difference.

The hijacking of the global food supply is a serious threat, but it is not insurmountable. By working together, we can fight back against the corporations and create a more just and sustainable food system.

Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply (Culture of the Land)

by Vandana Shiva

4.2 out of 5