During the last 19 years the global area of biotech crops increased more than 100-fold to 181 Million Has. 28 countries planted biotech crops in 2014; one more compared to last year. The US continues to be the largest producer of biotech crops, followed by Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada [1].
The first commercial planting of Bt brinjal (eggplant) was seen in Bangladesh.
Total Increase of Biotech Crops Worldwide
Top Five Countries Planting Biotech Crops
Adoption by Crop (% of Global Biotech Planting)
Herbicide tolerant is the dominant trait. For the first time Bt brinjal (eggplant) has been comercially planted.
Benefits of adoption of biotech crops include increasing crop production, saving of pesticides, reducing CO2 emissions, and alleviating poverty.
Subject to regulatory approval for planting and import, over 70 new biotech crop products could be available during the next five years. They include new crops and traits and multiple modes for resistance and tolerance.
Reference
[1] C. James, 2014 ISAAA Report on Global Status of Biotech/GM Crops, International Service for the Acquisition Of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), 2014.
Also of interest:
- Clever Picture: GM Crops,
Lisa-Marie Rauschendorfer,
ChemViews Mag. 2013.
DOI: 10.1002/chemv.201300052