The Indian physicist and veteran food sovereignty activist speaks to Amy Hall about a lifetime of keeping smiling while fighting the lies of the ‘poison cartel’.
You’re a long-standing opponent of GMO crops. Given the current food crises around the world, particularly with the war on Ukraine, are you concerned that there will be a renewed support for them?
I call the group of companies that continue to make chemicals – and make GMOs for selling more chemicals – ‘the poison cartel’. They are Bayer, which bought Monsanto, Syngenta which is owned by ChemChina, and Dow and DuPont which merged then split into three companies, including Corteva.
The New Internationalist is an independent bi-monthly not-for-profit magazine that reports on action for global justice. We believe in putting people before profit, in climate justice, tax justice, equality, social responsibility and human rights for all.
New Internationalist acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We acknowledge that these lands were stolen and sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
© Copyright New Internationalist 1973-2026. Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under Creative Commons.
Except where otherwise noted, images on this site are © the attributed photographer/illustrator or representative agency.