March 12, 2015
Face aux Cotons
"Face aux Cotons", a report about Burkina Faso. A meeting with farmers after four years of growing Bt cotton.
Successful
69
Contributions
03/12/2014
End date
€3,176
Out of €3,000
106 %
Face aux Cotons
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<img alt="Anglais" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/62843/ANGLAIS.jpg"></p>
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<strong>Technology is necessary for the development of a country. Nevertheless, without accurate information, every innovation can turn into something dangerous.</strong></p>
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In France, arguments about the risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms divide the confused consumers. Seen as a health, economic and environmental threat, genetically modified plants divide farmers, frighten consumers and lead Europeans governments to adopt precautionary measures. Then, it is hard to have an objective view of this issue. Nevertheless, this new technology concerns each one of us, because GMOs are gaining grounds (and fill our plates!) every year.</p>
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Through my engineering studies, I had the opportunity to tackle the GMOs question from a scientific angle. Nevertheless, I am still not sure about the ethical, ecological and economic implications of genetically modified crops. Moreover, I wonder what are the practical consequences on the everyday-life of farmers growing GMOs.</p>
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<em><strong>“Insight without action is useless.” –</strong>Unknown author</em></p>
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Thus, it is obvious for me that I have to research this topic, gather numerical data (yields, money saved, amount of insecticides sprayed, etc.), directly from a country that grows genetically modified crops and hear directly from the farmers.</p>
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Burkina Faso's economy is based mainly on cotton production. As many pests can easily compromise cotton crops, the country chose in 2008 to grow mainly genetically modified cotton, “<em>Bt</em> cotton”. <em>Bt</em> cotton is supposed to be more profitable, less harmful for the environment, and without any negative consequence for human and animal health (Vitale Jeffrey <em>et al</em>., 2008).</p>
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Catherine, who is a journalist, offered to help me with this project. Together we will be able to take up this challenge and work on a report about Bt cotton in Burkina Faso. Through a blog, we will communicate the progress of our project and keep in touch with our supporters by regularly sending numerical data, graphs and pictures illustrating the growth of Bt cotton in this country. We will also interview farmers and create a report, which will be available on our blog. Better yet, we will broadcast it in different schools in Picardie hoping to engage the young students in a debate about this controversial subject. We are confident that this will raise the student’s awareness about this subject, help them understand the importance of searching for objective data and open their mind to other cultures.</p>
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"Face aux Cotons" needs your help! We need your financial support in order to buy the plane tickets, to rent a car to reach each farm, and to pay accommodation.</p>
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<em><strong>“The only source of knowledge is experience”, - Albert Einstein.</strong></em></p>
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<img alt="Hessnatur-burkina-faso-01" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/62905/hessnatur-Burkina-Faso-01.jpg"></p>
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© FirstGrade Studios</p>
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<img alt="The_team" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/62911/the_team.jpg"></p>
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<img alt="Catherine" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/62916/Catherine.jpg"></p>
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<strong> Catherine</strong></p>
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After a double diploma in journalism and international relations, Catherine did several trips to London and Berlin, and finally worked in communication services. Today, she is a self-employed journalist with twenty years of experience. She works on topics such as health and youht, Internet and social networks, companies and communication... Now, she aims to concern herself with new topics and detailed field studies. As the <em>Bt</em> cotton is a topical subject with many stakes, she decided to work with Chloé.</p>
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<img alt="Chloe_" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/62917/Chloe_.jpg"></p>
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<strong>Chloé</strong></p>
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After passing the scientific Baccalauréat (French high school diploma), Chloé decided to study biological engineering at the University of Technology of Compiègne (France). Her studies led her to tackle the GMO’s question from a scientific angle, and this subject immediately fascinated her. Besides, she also worked on GMOs when she was in Mexico for an exchange semester, and gave lectures to children from 7 to 14 years old.</p>
Allocation of funds
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- Flight Paris-Ouagadougou for two people: 1054 €</p>
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- Rent of a vehicle (type 4x4) for 21 days: 2401 €</p>
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- Gas: 390€</p>
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- Vaccination against yellow fever and treatment against malaria for two people: 211€</p>
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- Accommodation: 609 €</p>
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- Purchase of a microphone: 77 €</p>
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- Purchase of the webdocumentary rights: 200 €</p>
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- Compensation KissKissBankBank: 150 €</p>
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<strong> Total: 5092 €</strong></p>
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Some public organizations supporting project from young people are probably going to help us financially, and we will pay for the accommodation ourselves. Nevertheless we cannot finance the totality of the project, and that is why we are asking for your help so that we can realize this project.</p>
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Rewards
€5
- 11 contributions
Grasshopper Level: you will receive our full gratitude + a personnalized postcard!
Estimated delivery: December 2014
€20
- 29 contributions
Antelope Level: You will receive our gratitude + a personnalized postcard + the autographed DVD of the documentary!
Estimated delivery: December 2014
€50
- 11 contributions
Giraffe Level: You will receive our gratitude + a personnalized postcard + the autographed DVD + a souvenir from Burkina Faso of your choice (you will have to select it on our blog in April)!
Estimated delivery: December 2014
€100
- 1 contribution
Lion Level: You will receive our HUGE gratitude + a personnalized postcard + the autographed DVD + a souvenir of your choice + a handmade cushion covered with Burkinabe cloth!
Estimated delivery: December 2014
€250
- 4 contributions
Elephant Level: You are an amazing contributor! You will receive our TREMENDOUS gratitude + a personnalized postcard + the autographed DVD of the documentary + a SPECIAL souvenir from Burkina Faso + the handmade cushion + an invitation a DINNER with us + YOUR NAME at the BEGINNING of the documentary, with the words "With the cooperation of" !
Estimated delivery: December 2014