(4) ISAAA: http://bit.ly/1V5Psch (5) USDA: http://1.usa.gov/1LIpqXA (6) FAO Statistics Division added to Argentina's eco
CONTENTS 04
About Biotech
06
Argentina
08
Brazil
10
Burkina Faso
14
India
16
Philippines
18
United States
20
Around the Globe
- 3 -
> BIOTECH CROPS AROUND THE WORLD
> WHAT IS PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY?
As it becomes more challenging to feed the world’s population, farmers are turning to agricultural innovations like plant biotechnology so they can continue to grow safe, highyielding crops on ever-scarcer farmland. Biotech crops have been increasingly adopted across the globe for the past 20 years: as of 2014, 18 million farmers in 28 countries planted more than 181 million hectares.
Plant biotechnology is a sophisticated breeding technology that allows plant breeders to precisely introduce beneficial traits into plants. Biotech crops approved for use today have been improved to help farmers fight damaging weeds more efficiently, protect crops from insects and diseases, and improve the nutritional quality and shelf-life of crops. In the future, these crops could offer foods with higher vitamin levels, longer shelf life or the ability to grow even in the face of climate change conditions.
This collection of infographics demonstrates how farmers and consumers worldwide benefit from plant biotechnology, as well as the impact of this technology on our environment.
18 MILLION FARMERS > IN 28 COUNTRIES > PLANTED MORE THAN 181 MILLION HECTARES IN 2014
- BIOTECH 201 -
Genetic modification (GM), genetic engineering (GE) and genetically modified organisms (GMO) are a few other terms that are often used to refer to plant biotechnology. Insectresistant crops, including Bt crops, have been improved through biotechnology to produce proteins that can make the plants more resistant to harmful insects. Ht crops are developed to resist the application of certain herbicides that previously would have destroyed the crop along with the targeted weeds. These types of crops allow farmers to save time and money, and to have more options for targeted weed control.
- 5 -
ARGENTINA BIOTECH CROPS:
IN-FIELD BENEFITS:
TOTAL BIOTECH ACREAGE: (in millions of hectares)
17 2005
BIOTECH CROPS ALSO MEAN SAFER FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. Insect-resistant biotech maize contains significantly lower levels of dangerous mycotoxins, that can make people sick.
$89B
PRICE OF SOYBEANS IN 2011
saved on food costs (between 1996-2012)
because of Argentina’s increased contributions to the global food supply.
WITH BIOTECH WITHOUT BIOTECH
$13.00/bushel
14%
cheaper
$14.70/bushel
If Argentine farmers had not adopted GM soybeans, the global price of soybeans would have been 14% higher in 2011.
Argentina has nearly TRIPLED ITS ANNUAL EXPORTS of maize since embracing biotech varieties. SOURCES: (1) ISAAA: http://bit.ly/1OLiluz (2) World Mycotoxin Journal: http://bit.ly/1OLipKW (3) Science Direct: http://bit.ly/1FaXsqR (4) ISAAA: http://bit.ly/1V5Psch (5) USDA: http://1.usa.gov/1LIpqXA (6) FAO Statistics Division
- 7 -
BRAZIL BIOTECH CROPS:
FARM, FAMILY & COMMUNITY BENEFITS:
TOTAL BIOTECH ACREAGE: (in millions of hectares)
42 2014
BIOTECH FARMERS ARE USING LESS WATER, FUEL, AND ELECTRICITY, enabling farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices.
9.4 2005
SOYBEANS NATIONAL BENEFITS:
Maize exports in millions of tonnes 19.8
COTTON
Over the course of a decade, Brazil’s maize exports have increased over 700%.
10.9
10.8 6.4
5.0
MAIZE
3.9
3.5 1.0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
IN-FIELD BENEFITS:
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
For every $1 that farmers invest in biotech seeds, they make back... $2.61
$1.59
100 BILLION LITRES
OF WATER
9.4
7.7
20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
SOY
are saved by Brazilian farmers every year.
$3.59
MAIZE
COTTON
BIOTECH CROPS BEING RESEARCHED:
> BRAZILIAN FARMERS GROW MORE FOOD ON EVERY HECTARE THAN EVER BEFORE, KEEPING NATURAL HABITATS LIKE THE RAINFOREST FROM BEING CONVERTED TO FARMLAND.
CITRUS
BEAN
RICE
SUGERCANE
SORGHUM
< Approved and waiting for commercialization.
SOURCES: (1) ISAAA: http://bit.ly/1OLiluz (2) Céleres Ambiental: http://bit.ly/1L0NmuY (3) Céleres Ambiental: http://bit.ly/1L0No6a (4) FAO Statistics Division (5) USDA http://1.usa.gov/1PkdO0d
(6) Céleres Ambiental: http://bit.ly/1V5KPV2
- 9 -
BURKINA FASO BIOTECH CROPS:
TOTAL BIOTECH ACREAGE:
IN-FIELD BENEFITS: 454
(in thousands of hectares)
2014
300
HIGHER YIELDS
2010
