Use of Biotech Crops is on the Rise
Report findings represent biotechnology's role in sustainable agriculture.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 12, 2009
According to a report, The Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2008, released Wednesday by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, farmers around the world continue to embrace genetically engineered crops.
A record 13.3 million farmers in 25 countries are using agricultural biotechnology according to the report, of which 90% are resource-poor farmers in 15 developing countries.
"The ISAAA report further illustrates what we have known all along, that biotechnology is a key component contributing to sustainable agriculture," said Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture for the Biotechnology Industry Organization. "Ag biotech provides solutions for today's farmers in the form of plants that yield more per acre, resist diseases and insect pests and reduce farmers' production costs, and inputs."
The report showed that acreage as well as the number of farmers using biotech crops is rising with 309 million acres planted in 2008 compared with 282 million in 2007. The United States planted nearly half of those acres with 154 million acres in 2008. Also this year, several African countries began planting biotech crops.
"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."
The report and accompanying materials are posted at www.isaaa.org.
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