Benefits of GM crops

The adoption of transgenic crops has resulted in higher yields, reduction of production costs, increased profitability of primary production and creation of novel direct employment. Adoption of herbicide-tolerant GM crops has favored the adoption of no-till farming (NT), a system in which the seeds of the next crop are directly sown over the previous crop residues without disturbing the soil, minimizing erosion and improving water use efficiency. By reducing the time-period between crops, NT allows for a double-cropping scheme, in which soybean is planted immediately after the wheat is harvested. The adoption of insect-resistant crops reduced the use of pesticides and therefore, of fossil fuels, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adoption of GM crops also contributed to the achievement of higher crop yields and to improve grain quality. In addition, insect-resistant maize favored the adoption of late sowing, thus allowing risk diversification and stabilization of yields, by protecting the crops even during periods of increased pest pressure.

 

   

 

   

For further information regarding benefits

 

• 25 años de cultivos genéticamente modificados en la agricultura argentina. Tejeda Rodríguez A., S. Rossi, N. Jorge y E. Trigo. Bolsa de Cereales (2021)

• 25 years of genetically-modified crops in argentine agriculture. Tejeda Rodríguez A., S. Rossi, N. Jorge y E. Trigo. Bolsa de Cereales (2021)

• GM crops: global socio-economic and environmental impacts 1996-2018. Brookes and Barfoot (2020a)

• GM crop technology use 1996-2018: farm income and production impacts. Brookes and Barfoot (2020c)

• Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996-2018: impacts on pesticide use and carbon emissions. Brookes and Barfoot (2020b)

• Veinte años de cultivos genéticamente modificados en la agricultura argentina. Trigo, E.J. (2016)