> Globally, four giant companies sell more than half the world’s seed supply, according to Rossi, and are generally focused on commodity crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that across U.S. markets, the top four seed corporations own 97% of canola, 95% of corn, 84% of soybean, 51% of wheat, and 74% of cotton intellectual property rights. The companies control major seed-breeding programs, which then patent and restrict other breeders from access to the crops’ genetics — resulting in fewer and more expensive options for row crop farmers.
> Globally, four giant companies sell more than half the world’s seed supply, according to Rossi, and are generally focused on commodity crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that across U.S. markets, the top four seed corporations own 97% of canola, 95% of corn, 84% of soybean, 51% of wheat, and 74% of cotton intellectual property rights. The companies control major seed-breeding programs, which then patent and restrict other breeders from access to the crops’ genetics — resulting in fewer and more expensive options for row crop farmers.