Biotech Updates

Global Value of Biotech Rice

May 2, 2013

Matty Demont from Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and other rice researchers published a review on the global value of biotech rice discussing the expected agronomic and consumer benefits of the crop. Based on their study, biotech rice could deliver the same agronomic benefits as the commercialized biotech crops but the expected consumer benefits could be greater because rice is a staple crop to many nations. They estimated that the annual value of biotech rice could be US$64 billion. This is only an indicative value because more varieties of biotech rice are expected to be available in the future. This given figure can also aid policy makers on their decision on approval or funding of biotech crops and may also increase consumer awareness about the potential of the crop in their communities.

Read more at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871678413000563.