Corn Overproduction
Introduction
Corn is a plant that can thrive in numerous climatic zones making it a crop that is grown in many countries globally. Scientifically it is called Zea Mays and is commonly called Maize in non-English countries. Because of its energy giving capacity and quick maturity, the crop is a staple food in many countries. In addition of corn being a food crop, it has many useful functions such as a source of: income, food for animals, and of fuel. This makes corn production a demanding venture in many countries. Over the last years, many countries have invested heavily in latest agricultural practices and technology all with the aim of increasing corn production. The results are that corn is currently overproduced, which brings other problems. The United States has been a leader in this field growing 41% of corn in the world (Paarlberg, 2010). However, corn overproduction in USA has resulted in health, environmental, and economic detriments, which calls for a revision on global policies on corn production.
Therefore, this research paper will analyze the factors leading to overproduction, the negative impacts of corn overproduction, and recommendations to curtail situation. The research would be based on USA which is a leading corn producer.
Factors Leading to Corn Overproduction
In USA, there have been critical factors that have resulted in corn being overproduced. They are: need for fuel, governmental subsidies and policies, need for food, under-consumption of corn, and Genetically Modified foods (Crowther, 2003). Governments in developed nations have for a long time motivated farmers to grow corn in large scale because of economic reasons. Motivation of farmers is through subsidies, educational programs, and offering grants and loans. An example is in the seventies where USA government offered subsidies to corn farmers when they sold their produce (Crowther, 2003). The government bought farmers corn at a competitive price even if the global price went down, a situation that led to increased corn produce over time.
The need for fuel also has led to increased corn production. Through research, vehicles can run on biodiesel which is produced from starch; hence the need for corn. Brazil is a leader in biodiesel production and so they require large amounts of corn. Furthermore, the need for food has also led to corn overproduction. Food is also required to feed farm livestock hence the best food that can be eaten by both humans and animals is corn.
The biotechnological advancement of GMO has also helped in corn overproduction. Corn is genetically produced in many developed countries, which has added to the amount that is already grown globally. In addition, the fear of GMO’s by consumers has led to many people not consuming them hence resulting to a continued surplus in corn amounts (Cummings, 2009). Consumers are also selective in their feeding styles where they prefer unhealthy foods to healthy ones. The junk that is preferred causes much of corn not to be consumed resulting into a surplus.
Impacts of Corn Overproduction
According to Pollan (2007) the two major categories of negative impacts of corn overproduction are in the environment, and in the health. Corn overproduction impacts the environment through usage of agrochemicals, unsuitable levels of irrigation, and usage of GMO’s. In USA corn production, there is a heavy reliance on pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. The chemicals have rapidly improved yields but are associated with disturbance of the ecosystem, and pollution of water through run-off. Specifically, Nitrogenous and Phosphate fertilizers are proven to pollute ground and surface water resulting in speedy algae growth (Pollan, 2007). Algae growth is associated with reduced dissolved oxygen in water bodies, hence absence of aqua life. In USA, the vast nitrogen amounts in Mississippi River have caused a ‘dead-zone’ at the Mexican gulf where there is no aquatic life (Rosenthal, 2007). Therefore, Corn production as Pollan (2007) puts it is a sponsor of the effect through run-off in fertilizer application and feeding animals with corn whose manure is a pollutant.
Irrigation in dry areas has also negatively impacted the environment. Irrigation has been known to result to unrestrained withdrawals from the High Plains Aquifer and clashes over the seasonal and overused rivers in the West of USA (Rosenthal, 2007). This is a problem as 75% of corn in USA is produced in Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and Kansas, which are dry regions and so rely on Irrigation.
Furthermore, the introduction of Genetically Modified corn has resulted in more yields. The more yields are as a result of the possibility of growing many corn seeds closer together, which was not possible before. However, the GM corn variety has Bt (Bacillus Thuringienis) genes that are beneficial in pest and weed control, but negatively affect other non-target organisms (Cummings, 2009). The gene is thought to reduce biodiversity through adversely affecting organisms like butterflies or other insect populations in soil; hence reduction of pesticide resistance.
Paarlberg (2010) went into great depth in his criticism of health impacts of corn overproduction in USA. The major impact was in arguing that there was a direct relation between obesity and corn overproduction. Overproduction of corn has resulted in many food industries utilizing every part of the corn plant to make processed foods that are associated with obesity and other diseases such as cancer. Processed foods are cheaper and so many people prefer to take them as opposed to insisting on healthier foods. Furthermore, because of processed foods, obesity has become a problem in the world compared to starvation (Paarlberg, 2010).
Another possible health impact is in Genetically Modified breeds of corn. Even though, studies are not conclusive of direct negative health impact of GMO’s, there is a high possibility that it affects the health of people indirectly. The indirect causes according to Cummings (2007) are allergic reactions and toxicity of crop because of reactions between the genetic strain in the crop and bacteria in the soil. In addition, health impact caused by run-off is also a possibility where pesticides and fertilizers used may contain heavy metal toxins that may end up in the human body through a cycle.
Even though corn overproduction has been beneficial in terms of food and fuel provision, it has caused farmers from developing countries to be impoverished and lacking food (Paarlberg, 2010). The reason for the status is that a surplus of corn reduces global prices, which makes developing prices not able to compete in selling the crop. Therefore, they may opt not to plant it, which might lead to starvation. A classic example is between USA and Mexico, where as USA is overproducing corn its neighbor Mexico is starving because it cannot competitively grow corn and sell in the market.
Recommendations
Corn overproduction resulted majorly because of policies in the 20th century that encouraged production of corn. Even though it is not a bad strategy, lack of regulation has led to corn overproduction. Therefore, to combat the negative impacts that corn overproduction has brought about, it is recommended that:
Food industries should clearly specify the contents of their food so that consumers could make proper judgments on healthier eating.
Awareness campaigns and promotions in local communities on the need to eat healthy. This would help in choices on proper and healthier feeding.
Regulations should be set on the production quota of corn in certain periods, preferably on a yearly basis. This would enable the surplus corn in the market be consumed before new ones are introduced.
Proper irrigation methods be implemented, which reduce run-offs that introduce nitrogen and phosphates in water bodies. An example of a safe method is drip irrigation.
Genetic Modification should be monitored to ensure that no negative ill effects come about. Furthermore, the public should be educated on the safety of genetically modified foods.
Conclusion
Corn overproduction has resulted in important benefits like food and fuel availability; however, the situation has negative impacts on the environment, health, and economy of societies. The negative impacts result in a need for revision of policies and legislations that cause corn overproduction. Environmental and health impacts are caused by irrigation, agrochemicals in corn growing, and GMO’s. Economic impacts are felt in developing nations where they are impoverished and starved because of their developed counterparts overproducing corn. An example is USA causing Mexico to starve.
References
Crowther, S. A. (2003). Basis for Stability. Washington: Kessinger Publishing.
Cummings, C. H. (2009). Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds.
London: Beacon Press.
Paarlberg, R. L. (2010). Food politics: what everyone needs to know. Washington: Oxford
University Press
Rosenthal, J. (2007). Integrative Nutrition: Feed Your Hunger for Health and Happiness.
London: Greenleaf Book Group
Pollan, M. (2007). Omnivore's Dilemma: Part I: Industrial/Corn. Penguin Press
