Two large studies on sustainable agriculture across the world that covered more than 450 projects across more than 50 countries, covering more than 12 million farms, had similar conclusions. Practices that are cheap and could be locally managed such as locally available technologies, less tilling to conserve soil, integrated pest management and improvement management of soil nutrients resulted in the increase of yield by more than 70%. It is only natural for agricultural companies to oppose decentralised practices that result in high-yield. It is their profits at stake.

‘Agricultural biotechnology innovations (i.e. Bt crops and herbicide resistant crops) are profit-driven, rather than need-driven. The real thrust of the genetic industry is not to make agriculture more productive but to generate profits. In the case of herbicide tolerance, the goal is to win greater herbicide market-share for a proprietary product...'
Miguel A Altieri