Print This PageTechnology Changes as a Way of Life
Spanish grower Andrés Delpueyo shares his Bt corn success story with Brazilian farmers
Even under the best of circumstances, farming is one of the most difficult professions there is. When abundant water and soil resources are available, the work remains labor intensive, mentally and physically demanding, and often unpredictable in its yields. Many farmers across the world, such as Spanish farmer Andrés Delpueyo, face even more challenging conditions of farming in near-desert drylands. Though Spain has been in the midst of a dramatic drought for the past two years, Andrés loves his profession, and he is proud to tell farmers in other countries about the benefits that biotech has brought to his farm and his lifestyle.
For almost ten years, Spanish farmers have reaped the benefits of Bt corn. YieldGard varieties are currently commercialized by ten different companies. In 2006, Bt corn represented nearly 15 percent of the Spanish corn grain market and approximately 76 percent of market penetration in corn borer infested areas. After trials with Roundup Ready Corn 2 (NK603) in Spain, farmers are very enthusiastic about the positive impact they anticipate the new seed will have on their yields, productivity and bottom line. Roundup Ready Corn 2 is yet to be authorized for cultivation in the European Union.
Recently, Andrés traveled to Brazil's most important farm fair in the south of the country, the Show Rural Coopavel in Cascavel - Paraná state, to talk to Brazilian farmers and journalists there about Spain's success with Bt corn. Farmers in Brazil are already realizing the benefits of Roundup Ready soybeans and insect-protected cotton; however, Bt corn is current pending approval by local regulatory officials.
Andrés Delpueyo's farm consists of nearly 1,100 acres (440 hectares) of irrigated land, mainly planted with corn, and almost 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of dryland. From his farm in Candasnos (Huesca), Spain, Andrés reflects about life on the farm in Spain and recalls two major advancements that changed his life: irrigation and Bt corn.
My name is Andrés Delpueyo. I have been part of a farming and cattle-ranching family for many generations in the Monegros region in the northeast of Spain, a very dry area, almost desert like in appearance. In this zone, the rainfall is very limited and the harvest always uncertain.
There came a day when people began to speak about an important regional agricultural reform to transform the dryland into farmland through irrigation. I was 22 years old, and my family challenged my brother and me to invest in the installation of new irrigation equipment for our properties.
Although we didn't have the money and we had to ask for large credits for many years, we didn't dwell on it. With much enthusiasm, we began to transform 440 hectares of our land. This was extremely difficult, not only because of the economics, but because we had to acquire all the necessary machinery, warehouses and drying sheds. It was also difficult to change our dryland farming habits and transform ourselves into irrigation farmers. But now, this is all history . . .
Today, our latest transformation concerns the use of biotechnology in our fields. Acceptance of biotechnology in Spain is growing, but very slowly due to political reasons. As farmers, we are very conscious of the benefits that these biotech seeds bring to our bottom line, the environment and our peace of mind. In fact, people from the cities - the end users - they don't understand the agronomic benefits because they don't know the agricultural problems we have. I would love to bring consumers to my farm to explain this to them and demonstrate the benefits of Bt corn.
Since I began growing YieldGard, my personal life has also improved, as I have more time to share with friends and family. Now I am not worried about the corn borer all the time; I trust YieldGard and I have peace of mind. I also don't have to spray insecticide. My brother and I used to spend our summer days spraying. Now we go on short holidays with our families. If in the future it were not possible to grow YieldGard, I would probably have to reduce the amount of surface given over to corn or I might even stop growing it altogether.
When I visited the Brazilian farmers, I wanted to encourage them to grow biotech crops just once to see all the advantages we are able to get here in Spain. We as farmers should have the right to choose whatever we think is best for our business, our families and the environment.
I am a farmer who has a great passion for farming. And although the work is very hard and we have neither long vacations nor much time to share with our families throughout the year, I love my profession very much. But of course, I am also a businessman who needs to gain more profit every year in a sustainable way. Now, growers are beginning to play a role as energy producers. This is a new and very interesting market we have to develop in Europe.
Technology, including biotechnology, is a valuable tool to help us to attain these goals while producing healthier food and a better environment.
Monsanto in Spain: www.monsanto.es
Monsanto in Brazil: www.monsanto.com.br
