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A Global Look at Plant Biotechnology Benefits and Genetically Modified Food


After a decade of use on more than 1.7 billion acres (690.9 million hectares) worldwide, agricultural biotechnology benefits have been proven both economically and environmentally.  Farmers from eight countries share their personal experiences about specific biotechnology benefits realized within their farming operations, families, communities and the environment.
Nine out of 10 farmers planting biotech crops are in developing countries.
Nine out of 10 farmers planting biotech crops are in developing countries.
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PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY DELIVERS PROVEN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Millions of Farm Families Are Living Proof of a Promising Future

In 2005, one of 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries planted and harvested the 1-billionth acre (400-millionth hectare) of genetically modified (GM) crops, measured on a cumulative basis since the technology was first used in 1996. One billion acres is equivalent to the entire land area of the European Union’s 25 countries.

90 percent of the farmers who grew biotech crops in 2005 were resource-poor farmers from developing countries — whose increased incomes from producing genetically modified food and crops contributed to the alleviation of their poverty. “This technology is helping farmers throughout the world produce higher yield, while reducing pesticide use and soil erosion,” says Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and father of the Green Revolution.

“The benefits and safety of biotechnology has been proven over the past decade in countries with more than half of the world’s population. ... helping meet the growing demand for food production while preserving our environment for future generations,” continues Dr. Borlaug.

Between 1996 and 2004, farmers increased their net incomes by US$27 billion growing biotech crops, according to a 2005 report by Graham Brookes of PG Economics. “To us farmers, biotech is really important because it has benefited us with bigger harvests. With bigger harvests, we get higher incomes,” says Filipino corn farmer Jesus Gavino on producing genetically modified food crops.

“With this new cotton, I was able to build a house,” says Bethuel Gumede, a South African farmer. “And as you can see, my family is healthy. ... So with this genetic technology, my life has changed completely.”

The research also indicates pesticide applications have been cut by 172,000 metric tons. “We’re just doing less spraying,” says U.S. cotton farmer Jay Hardwick. “For example, it was very customary for us to spray a cotton crop 12, 15 times. But now, we’re only spraying it for pests, in terms of insects, maybe three times.”

“The production of Bollgard has allowed more life to live on our farm. We have life in our crops. We have life around the crops,” says Australian cotton grower Betsy Turner. “It’s a quality of life issue. And, it’s if you choose to be in agriculture, you can choose to live without hard chemistry.”

A reduction in tractor trips across the field for pesticide application and tillage has resulted in fuel savings and, consequently, a reduction of green house gas emissions of nearly 10 million metric tons.“ Through minimum till or no till, we no longer have to use more diesel, and jeopardize the soil to more erosion,” says U.S. corn and soybean grower Terry Wanzek about the benefits of no-till farming. “It just has eliminated the number of trips over the field.”

“Most of the tillage that we did, we did to kill weeds. That’s why we were out there tilling the soil, and tilling it over and over again,” says Al Skogen, U.S. corn and soybean grower who has reduced fuel use and green house gas emmisions. “Today, we virtually don’t do any tillage for weed control. ... It’s not just a small benefit to the environment through this new technology. It really is huge.”

“Our land stays in place,” says Canadian canola and soybean farmer Art Enns. “And again, it’s back to a stewardship of land ... So this really helps.”

Over the next decade, expanded adoption of genetically modified food crops combined with current research on 57 crops in 63 countries will broaden biotechnology benefits for growers, consumers and environment. “We need partnership, working together with those continents or countries that are well ahead with agriculture because every human being needs food in the stomach,” says Thandiwe Myeni, South African cotton grower.

“Most people in the world — and we have to remember we’re a small part of the world — they have to worry about feeding their families and their future generation,” says U.S. corn and soybean grower Gordon Wassenaar who believes biotechnology is key to increasing food production. “I just don’t think the old conventional way of farming is going to do it. ... We’re going to have to continue to use biotech.”

Editor’s Note: Bollgard® cotton contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects cotton plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests. Bollgard® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.

© 2005 Monsanto Company. All rights reserved. The copyright holder consents to the use of this material and the images in the published context only and solely for the purpose of promoting the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.

Video Transcript



Dr. Norman Borlaug. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. His central role in the Green Revolution is credited with increasing agricultural yields and saving millions from starvation.

Dr. Norman Borlaug

I have devoted my life to the global challenge of providing adequate food production for a growing world population. ... Over the past decade, we have been witnessing the success of plant biotechnology.  This technology is helping farmers throughout the world produce higher yield, while reducing pesticide use and soil erosion.  The benefits and safety of biotechnology has been proven over the past decade in countries with more than half of the world’s population. ... helping meet the growing demand for food production while preserving our environment for future generations.


Farmers talk about plant biotechnology.

Jesus (Jay) Gavino, Philippines

To us farmers, biotech is really important because it has benefited us with bigger harvests.   With bigger harvests, we get higher incomes.

Al Skogen, United States

We saw our production costs go down and our yields go up.

Seferino Cosme, Philippines

After seeing this biotechnology, I decided to try it myself ... When I planted one hectare, it yielded 150 cavans — which is more than double what I harvested before.

Juan Julio (Johnny) Avellaneda, Argentina

I like investigation.   I like farming with new expectations.

Bethuel Gumede, South Africa

With this new cotton, I was able to build a house ... and as you can see, my family is healthy. ... So with this genetic technology, my life has changed completely.

Since 1996, farmers have increased their net incomes by $27 billion growing biotech crops.


Kavita Keshavrao Pawar, India

We feel happy that our parents have been rewarded and had to work less.  Because with the other cotton seeds, they had to spray the crop again and again.

Jay Hardwick, United States

... we’re just doing less spraying.   For example ... It was very customary for us to spray a cotton crop 12, 15 times.   But now, we’re only spraying it for pests, in terms of insects, maybe three times ...

Roman and Adelaida Bernal, Philippines

Before I planted YieldGard, I’d be so tired I could not even bring myself to give her a hug — especially after spraying.   Now there’s no problem like that ... I can even kiss her now.

Betsy Turner, Australia

... the production of Bollgard has allowed more life to live on our farm.   We have life in our crops.   We have life around the crops. ... It’s a quality of life issue.   And, it’s if you choose to be in agriculture, you can choose to live without hard chemistry.

Pesticide applications have been cut by 172,000 metric tons.


Al Skogen, United States

Most of the tillage that we did, we did to kill weeds.   That’s why we were out there tilling the soil, and tilling it over and over again ... Today, we virtually don’t do any tillage for weed control.  

Art Enns, Canada

Our land stays in place.   And again, it’s back to a stewardship of land ... So this really helps.

Terry Wanzek, United States

Through minimum till or no till ... we no longer have to ... use more diesel, and jeopardize the soil to more erosion.   It just has eliminated ... the number of trips over the field.

Al Skogen, United States

... it’s not just a small benefit to the environment through this new technology.   It really is huge.

Green house gas emissions have been reduced by nearly 10 million metric tons.

Pedro Lerin, Spain

Biotechnology means a lot to me and my family. ... It takes much less worrying. ... And this way, we have a lot of peace and tranquility.

Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar, India

If we keep making profit, I can help my son and also my daughter become a doctor. ... If I keep getting income like this, I can do all these.   If the yield will be good, we can do everything.

Rodolfo Tosar, Argentina

It’s brought a very important cultural development to the area.   It’s had an effect on the standard of living for many of the people here. ... The first thing we need to think of is human beings.

Thandiwe Myeni, South Africa

... we need partnership, working together with those continents or countries that are well ahead with agriculture because every human being needs food in the stomach.

Gordon Wassenaar, United States

Most people in the world — and we have to remember we’re a small part of the world — ... they have to worry about feeding their families and their future generation. ... I just don’t think the old conventional way of farming is going to do it. ... We’re going to have to continue to use biotech.

Biotech crops have been proven for more than a decade.

9 out of 10 farmers planting biotech crops are in developing countries.

Millions of farm families are living proof of a promising future.

Plant Biotechnology. Proven. Promising

Special thanks to the farmers and their families for their time and cooperation. They received no compensation for participating in this project.

Editor’s Notes:

  • Bollgard® cotton and YieldGard® corn hybrids contain a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects the plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests. Bollgard® cotton and YieldGard® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company.
  • Pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment, when used in accordance with label directions.
  • 1 hectare = 2.5 acres
  • 20 cavans = 1 metric ton

© 2005 Monsanto Company.   All rights reserved.  The copyright holder consents to the use of this material and the images in the published context only and solely for the purpose of promoting the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.