Plant Biotechnology: Biotech Crops Raise U.S. Grower Incomes, Promote Environmentally Friendly Farming
Council for Biotechnology Information
Excerpt…
Study says six genetically enhanced crops increased grower incomes by $1.9 billion
U.S. farmers who planted six genetically enhanced crops in 2003 earned an additional $1.9 billion over what they would have earned planting conventional varieties, and were also more likely to use environmentally friendly growing practices, according to a new study by the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP).
The center's study, released Oct. 20, 2004, said genetically enhanced canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybean and squash increased grower incomes by an additional $1.9 billion, boosted crop yields by 5.3 billion pounds and reduced pesticide use by 46.4 million pounds in 2003.
"Plant biotechnology continues to produce real gains for growers and promotes sustainable agriculture in the United States," said Sujatha Sankula, Ph.D., the lead author of the study and a researcher with the private, nonprofit, non-advocacy research organization based in Washington, D.C. "This new technology has revolutionized agriculture and is creating widespread economic and environmental benefits."
The growers who received the greatest economic gains from biotech crops in 2003 were in the principal corn- and soybean-growing states of the Upper Midwest: Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. But there were economic benefits in all 42 states where the six biotech crops (11 different varieties) were grown.
"Whether it was papaya in Hawaii, cotton in Louisiana or soybeans in South Dakota, the benefits from growing biotech crops were significant," Sankula said.
The study updates and reinforces the findings of a June 2002 center study that focused on the same six crops (eight different varieties). That analysis of crops planted in 2001 was one of the first comprehensive studies to document the impacts of biotech crops. Compared with 2001, biotech varieties increased grower incomes by 27 percent, boosted yields by 41 percent and reduced production costs by 25 percent.
Sankula said one of the greatest endorsements of biotech crops was that farmers continue to adopt genetically enhanced varieties in greater numbers. Between 2001 and 2003, the number of U.S. acres planted with biotech-derived crops has increased by 26 million acres — a 32 percent increase. For all six crops, the percentage of acres planted with biotech varieties increased….
Full article at Council for Biotechnology Information.
