China ranks sixth in the world in the total area of ​​genetically modified crops in 2012

Planting area of ​​genetically modified crops increased by a factor of ten

In recent years, the adoption of genetically modified crops by developing countries has gradually stabilized, and eventually they have reached the bottom and surpassed the developed countries in 2012. This is a milestone. Although many people think that it is almost impossible for the growing area of ​​GM crops in developing countries to exceed the developed countries, as more GM crops are planted in the world than ever before, this transcendence has occurred.

The International Agricultural Biotechnology Application Services Organization released its report in Beijing on March 1. It said that since the planting of genetically modified crops some 20 years ago, the area planted by developing countries has exceeded the developed countries for the first time. This has contributed to ensuring food security and further reducing poverty in certain vulnerable regions of the world. In 2012, the amount of GM crops in developing countries accounted for 52% of the total global genetically modified crops, compared with 50% in 2011.

The adoption rate of developing countries has reached the bottom

The unprecedented increase in the area of ​​GM crop cultivation in 2012 increased from 1.7 million hectares when the GM crop was first commercialized in 1996 to 170 million hectares. The author of the annual report, Clive James, ISAAA founder and chairman, said: “This makes GM crops the most rapidly applied crops in the history of modern agriculture.”

James said that the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries has gradually stabilized in recent years, eventually reaching the bottom and surpassing developed countries in 2012. This is a milestone. Previously, many people thought that it was almost impossible for the growing area of ​​GM crops in developing countries to exceed the developed countries. With more GM crops planted worldwide than ever before, this transcendence has occurred. "This growth is exactly the opposite of what the critics predicted. Before the commercialization of genetically modified technology in 1996, critics prematurely announced that GM crops were only used by developed countries, and that developing countries would not accept and use genetically modified crops," James said.

Technology development needs to keep up

The report highlights the growing awareness in developing countries of the benefits of planting GM crops. Planting genetically modified crops can not only increase production, but also save energy, time, and machinery, and can reduce the use of pesticides, improve product quality, and extend the growth cycle.

From 1996 to 2011, GM crops contributed to food security, sustainable development, and climate change by adding US$98.2 billion in crop yields and saving 473 million kg of pesticides, thus providing more Good environment; reduced carbon emissions by 23.1 billion kilograms in 2011 alone, equivalent to removing about 10.2 million cars from roads; protecting biodiversity by saving 108.7 million hectares of land; and helping more than 15 million small-scale farmers And his family, a total of more than 50 million people (they belong to the world's poorest people). Genetically modified crops are necessary but not universal. Treating GM crops must, like traditional crops, insist on good farming practices such as crop rotation management and resistance management.

In 2012, China and India were at the forefront of developing countries. China's 7.2 million small-scale farmers and 7.2 million small-scale farmers in India planted nearly 15 million hectares of genetically modified crops, a record high. In 2012, the total area of ​​genetically modified crops in China ranks sixth in the world. The total planted area of ​​China's GM crops is 4 million hectares, including cotton, papaya, poplar, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. In 2012, cotton became the main genetically modified crop in China, and 7.2 million small-scale and resource-poor farmers planted 4 million hectares of genetically modified cotton. The planting rate was as high as 80%. On average, each farmer planted 0.5 hectares.

Huang Dazhao, a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that over the past 20 years, hundreds of millions of hectares of genetically modified crops have been planted in the world, and hundreds of millions of people have consumed genetically modified foods. There is no scientific conclusion that it is "harmful." The development of global biotechnology is irresistible. Transgenic technology is an important way for agricultural crops to grow steadily. As a large agricultural country, it is not easy for China to maintain a lasting supply of grain and grow steadily. At present, China's grain self-sufficiency rate is only over 80%, which is less than 90% of its safety line. In the field of biotechnology, China still faces a period of strategic opportunities. If it misses, it must be attacked passively.

Huang Dayuan also believes that the Chinese government's policy on the new biotechnology industry has remained "already changed." However, compared with the world development trend, China's promotion and application speed is slow. Obstacles and controversies remain in this area. However, in fact, China’s scientific research in this field is not slow, but the results have not been promoted in a timely manner. We hope that the government’s relevant decisions will be clearer and faster.

The International Organization for the Application of Agricultural Biotechnology Services is a non-profit organization with an international network center that aims to reduce hunger and poverty by sharing knowledge and applying genetically modified crops.