Washington. DC
December 18, 2008
Source:
The Council for
Biotechnology Information
2008 was
another remarkable year for advancements in agricultural
biotechnology throughout the world.
In the
United States, despite heavy spring rains and flooding that
delayed the growing season, the Department of Agriculture
estimates increased production of corn and soybeans. This is due
in part to the
contribution of agricultural biotechnology, which has helped
improve farm yields since it was introduced in the U.S. in 1995.
This year’s corn crop is on target to be the second largest
ever, behind only last year's record haul. The U.S. soybean crop
is expected to be the fourth largest ever.
Reacting to
concerns regarding crop shortages that sparked unrest in some
countries and high prices for food in markets around the globe,
many nations this year began to acknowledge the benefits that
biotechnology offers agriculture. In July, the United Kingdom’s
former chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, stated,
“There is only one technology likely to deliver [the yield
increases needed] and that is [agricultural biotechnology]."
And in October, Italy's Welfare and Health Minister, Maurizio
Sacconi, called on that country to
lift a ban on growing genetically modified crops.
Many
sub-Saharan countries in Africa, where 30% of the population is
under-nourished, are considering
embracing agricultural biotechnology in an effort to address
the need for increased yields and limited access to a reliable
supply of water. South African scientists have
approved trials of sorghum genetically enhanced to improve
the digestibility and nutritional content of the coarse grain,
which thrives in arid soils.
Several studies this year
demonstrated increased support by consumers for food grown using
biotechnology. An Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) survey
found that in light of the region's growing demand for high
volumes of quality food, consumers in China, India, Japan, the
Philippines and South Korea are ready to accept foods produced
using agricultural biotechnology. Biotech crops are also gaining
acceptance in Europe, according to a study issued by EuropaBio.
The year
was also one of advances in the development of new crop
varieties using biotechnology. In June, researchers stated that
biotechnology in agriculture will play a key role in increasing
corn and soybean yields by 40 percent over the next decade
and overcoming climate challenges like crop-killing droughts.
In Asia,
researchers announced that
genetically modified Golden Rice, which is meant to improve
nutrition in the developing world, may be available to farmers
by 2011.
Biotechnology remains one of the greatest income-neutral
technologies available to wealthy and poor farmers alike,
requiring no significant additional investment in new tools or
technology, yet increasing yields and reducing crops lost to
pests and disease.
According to a report released this year, among the 23
countries growing agricultural biotechnology crops, half are
less developed countries. 11 of the 12 million farmers growing
biotech crops are small-holder, resource poor farmers.
Agricultural
biotechnology is also being recognized for its environmental
benefits. Herbicide-tolerant crops contribute significantly to
soil conservation because more farmers employ no-till, thus
reducing erosion. In China, farmers growing biotech rice reduced
their pesticide use by nearly 80 percent and more than half of
them used no pesticide at all.
More than 10% of farmers growing conventional rice showed
symptoms of pesticide poisoning, while none of the farmers
growing pest resistant rice did.
Agricultural biotechnology holds
even more promise for a sustainable future in 2009.
The Council for
Biotechnology Information communicates science-based
information about the benefits and safety of agricultural
biotechnology and its contributions to sustainable development.
For more information, visit
www.whybiotech.com. |
