Use of biotech crops expands around the world

On a global basis, 13.3 million farmers in a record 25 countries planted 309 million acres of biotech crops last year, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). That was the sixth largest growth spurt in the 13 years ISAAA has been reporting such data.

The number of new adoptors also grew: An additional 1.3 million farmers around the world planted 26.4 million new acres of biotech crops in three new countries in 2008, according to the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops 2008, which ISAAA released yesterday.

In a news release, ISAAA said it is important to note that biotech farming began in the African nations of Egypt and Burkina Faso. Africa is considered the "final frontier" for biotech crops as it has perhaps the greatest need and most to gain. In 2008, Egypt planted 1800 acres of Bt corn and Burkina Faso planted 21,000 acres of Bt cotton. They join South Africa, which since 1998 has benefited from biotech cotton, corn and soybeans.

"Future growth prospects are encouraging," said Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA and author of the report. "The positive experiences in these new regional footholds in south, north and west Africa will help lead the way for neighboring countries to learn by example. Additionally, political leaders globally are increasingly viewing biotech enhanced crops as a key part of the solution to critical social issues of food security and sustainability."

It would appear that high commodity prices encouraged some folks to finally look at technology as part of the solution to meeting global demand.

The sustainability factor is something more people need to consider. Using technology to produce more with less is a good thing - that is sustainability in action.

ISAAA made some good points:

• Biotech crops contribute to increased food availability and affordability, increasing production by 141 million metric tons from 1996 to 2007.
• Biotech crops help conserve biodiversity by saving land.
• 106 million additional acres of land would have been required to create the production gain of 141 million tonnes generated by biotech crops.
• With 70 percent of the world’s poorest dependent on agriculture and with income as low as $1 a day, biotech crops can also contribute to economic sustainability and alleviation of poverty.
• Biotech crops have substantially reduced agriculture’s environmental footprint by reducing pesticides, saving on fossil fuel use and decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and soil loss.
• The environmental benefits associated with biotech crops have also helped reduce greenhouse gases. In 2007 alone, carbon dioxide savings were 14.2 billion kg, equivalent to removing 6.3 million cars from the road.

For more, be sure to check out the executive report.