Adoption of biotech crops up by 13% in 2006

06 February 2007 10:40  [Source: ICIS news]

KUALA LUMPUR (ICIS news)--The adoption of technology-enhanced crops that produce greater yields of fuel, fibre, feed and food continued to grow globally in 2006, an international biotech body said on Tuesday.

 

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) reported that in 2006, biotech crop area, rose by 12m hectares, or 13%, to reach 102m hectares.

 

Growth for the period 1996 to 2006 was equivalent to a 60-fold increase, the highest adoption rate of any crop technology, including conventional and organic crop methods, the ISAAA said.

 

In addition, the number of farmers planting biotech crops surged past 10m for the first time, to 10.3m from 8.5m farmers in 2005, the not-for-profit organisation said.

 

Clive James, chairman and founder of the ISAAA, expects biofuels to be a major growth driver of biotech crops. He was speaking at a conference held by the Malaysian Biotech Information Centre (MABIC) in Serbang, Malaysia.

 

These crops will be used to increase yield efficiency and meet added demand for alternative energy, as well as explore biotech options to bring cellulose-based ethanol from energy crops to market, he said.

 

While the Americas led the first decade of biotech crop adoption, the second decade will likely feature significant in Asia and its developing of India, China and the Philippines, as well as new biotech countries like Pakistan and Vietnam, said the ISAAA.

It noted that the US continues to drive growth in North America and globally, accounting for the greatest absolute acreage increase in 2006 with the addition of 4.8m hectares.

 

Brazil leads the growth in South America with an increase of 22% to total 11.5m hectares, while India has emerged as the leader in Asia with an increase of 192% to total 3.8m hectares.

 

India jumped two spots in the world ranking to become the fifth larges producer of biotech crops in the world, surpassing China for the first time, the ISAAA said.

By: Jeanne Lim
+65 6780 4359

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