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IN agricultural-based and transforming developing countries, biotech crops are an engine of rural economic growth that, in turn, can contribute substantially to national economic growth.
Global adoption of plant biotechnology continues to grow, according to a recent report released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications showing that 13.3 million farmers in 25 countries grew biotech crops on 125 million hectares in 2008 -- a 9.4% increase over global acreage in 2007. Notably, 90%, or 12.3 million, were small and resource-poor farmers in developing countries.
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More than half (55%) of the world's population lives in these 25 countries, equivalent to 8% of the 1.5 billion hectares of all cropland in the world. In 2007, biotech crops saved 14.2 billion kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 6.3 million fewer cars.
The increase in approvals and adoption demonstrates that countries around the world, especially developing countries, recognize the benefits of plant biotechnology.
Allen Van Deyzne, senior scientist at the University of California-Davis, said the report makes it clear that biotechnology "can be useful for everyone regardless of economic status, with 15 of the 25 countries studied being from developing nations. The report shows the continued interest in using advanced tools for sustainable food production worldwide and that innovation in biotechnology is no longer limited to a few countries and corporations."
"More farmers are growing biotech crops on more hectares around the world. This increase is a testament to the fact that, when given the opportunity to choose between conventional or biotech seed, farmers will plant biotech crops," said Denise Dewar, executive director for plant biotechnology at CropLife International. "In 2008, our industry saw incredible adoption of the technology in many parts of the world, especially in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where farmers stand to gain the most. Worldwide, farmers are seeing the tangible benefits of biotech crops, such as increased crop productivity and income and decreased impact on their land."
Increased plantings
Five principal developing countries -- China, India, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa, with a combined population of 2.6 billion -- are exerting leadership with biotech crops and driving global adoption. Their benefits are spurring strong political will and substantial new investments in biotech crops in several of these leading countries.
In 2008, in particular, new countries in Africa opened their doors to the possibilities plant biotechnology can bring. For instance, Egypt became the second African nation to approve the commercial cultivation of biotech crops and planted 700 hectares of biotech maize in 2008. For the first time, Burkina Faso grew 8,500 hectares of biotech cotton.
Four countries adopted bio-safety guidelines for regulating biotech crops: Kenya, Malawi, Togo and Uganda. Malawi and Uganda approved field trials for biotech cotton and bananas. South African farmers planted 1.8 million hectares of biotech cotton and maize last year.
In Latin America, Bolivia became the newest country to grow biotech crops. Last year, Bolivian farmers planted 600,000 hectares of biotech soybeans.
Argentina planted the second-largest area of biotech crops globally last year at 21.0 million hectares, a 10% increase from 2007. In addition, the Argentine government approved a stacked event in corn for cultivation in 2008.
In Brazil last year, the Technical Commission on Biotechnology approved three biotech corn hybrids and two biotech cotton hybrids. Brazilian farmers planted 15.8 million hectares of biotech crops in 2008, including pest-resistant biotech corn for the first time.
Last year, farmers in Paraguay grew 2.7 million hectares of biotech crops. Farmers in Uruguay grew 700,000 hectares of biotech crops, a 40% increase from 2007. Meanwhile, farmers in Chile, Colombia and Honduras continued to grow biotech crops.
Asian governments last year recognized the benefits of plant biotechnology, especially increased crop productivity.
In China, Premier Wen Jiabao has said, "To solve the food problem, we have to rely on big science and technology measures, rely on biotechnology, rely on (genetic modification)."
As a result, China has committed an additional $3.5 billion over 12 years for continued research and development in an effort to feed its 1.3 billion people.
Biotech rice alone, already developed and field tested in China, has the potential to increase food availability and net income by about $100 per hectare for approximately 440 million people in the country. In 2008, Chinese farmers grew 3.8 million hectares of biotech crops.
India developed a new set of guidelines, standard operating procedures and protocols for conducting safety assessments of biotech crops as part of a science-based approval system for plant biotechnology. In November, the government also approved field trials of biotech corn. Indian farmers grew 7.6 million hectares of biotech crops in 2008, a 23% increase from the previous year.
In 2008, two Australian states -- New South Wales and Victoria -- commercially cultivated biotech canola for the first time, and Western Australia approved commercial trials of biotech canola. Australian farmers planted 200,000 hectares of biotech crops in 2008, double the hectares grown in 2007.
Filipino farmers planted 400,000 hectares of biotech crops in 2008, a 33% increase over 2007.
New Zealand approved field trials of biotech onion plants.
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