GMOs have had profound impacts on farmers, even those who chose to grow non-GMO seeds.
The cost of GMO seed has dramatically outpaced non-GMO seed prices, and GMOs are frequently sold with accompanying herbicides and fertilizers, which further drive up costs.
Farmers cannot save GMO seeds and must purchase new seeds from the distributor each year.108,109,110
The adoption of hybrid and GMO seed has largely displaced seed saving in North America.111 However, it is an essential practice in other parts of the world where seed saving helps sustain food sovereignty and social networks.112 The agrochemical industry considers these "emerging markets" potential profit centers — provided the farmers there become reliant on foreign hybrid and GMO seeds. The erosion of farmers' rights is a powerful tool for corporate domination. Farmers who refuse to grow GMOs or other patented seeds in some emerging markets face legal action and jail.113,114
Farmers are also financially impacted by GMO contamination, which is well-documented in GMO canola, corn and alfalfa.115,116,117,118 Non-GMO growers may be unable to sell contaminated crops in non-GMO supply chains or international markets, which reduces their income.
Chemical drift is another form of contamination that can devastate rural communities, causing financial hardship and even violence.119 In 2016, the chemical herbicide dicamba drifted from GMO crops that were immune to the herbicide, destroying millions of acres of farmland and natural areas.120 The threat of chemical drift is ongoing, and some farmers who prefer to grow non-GMO crops have been forced to adopt GMOs because the herbicide drifting from neighboring farms will kill other crops.121 The agrochemical companies behind dicamba-tolerant GMOs knew about the risk of chemical drift before product launch, infamously promoting GMO soy as "protection from your neighbor."122