Biotech Crops Continue to Benefit the Environment and Farmers

PG Economics released the latest report on the global socio-economic and environmental impacts of GM crops from 1996-2012 written by Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot. According to Graham Brookes, in the 17th year of widespread planting of GM crops, more environment friendly farming practices and increased farmers productivity and income were evident in 2012. It was noted that half of the farm income gains and majority of the environmental benefits in terms of pesticide use and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions took place in developing countries.

Other highlights of the report include: 

• GM crops allowed farmers to grow more produce without using additional land. If GM crops were not available in 2012, it would have required more land, as much as 24 percent of arable land in Brazil.
• The highest yield gains were acquired by farmers in developing countries who are mostly small-scale and resource-poor.
• Insect resistant cotton and corn has consistently delivered gains due to decreased pest damage.
• Herbicide tolerant soybeans and canola contributed to increased production of the crops through increased yield and improved weed control.

For more details, read the press release at http://www.pgeconomics.co.uk/page/36/-gm-crop-use-continues-to-benefit-the-environment-and-farmers and the full report at http://www.pgeconomics.co.uk/pdf/2014globalimpactstudyfinalreport.pdf.