Bolivia

Overview

Area km²: 1,098,581

Population: 11,428,245

Capital: Sucre

ISO 3166: BO

Population density:
10.4 hab/km²

National flower*:
Kantuta (Cantua buxifolia)

Bolivian economy is based on the extraction and export of metals and natural gas. Agriculture is well developed in Bolivia, mainly in the eastern region, with the cultivation of soybean (exported as grain and byproducts to several countries in the region), sorghum, rice, sugarcane, wheat, maize and sunflower. Potato and barley, as well as other export products like quinoa, cacao and coffee, are grown in the western region. Regarding livestock production, farming of beef and pork cattle takes place mainly in the east, while camelids as the llama (Lama glama) and the alpaca (Lama pacos), whose products are destined to the textile industry, are raised in the West.

* Another Nacional Flower: Patuju (Heliconia rostrata).

GM Crops

1Yes

Does the country plant GM crops?

2005

Since

1.5

Area with GM crops in millions hectares

Percentage of each GM crop

HT: herbicide-tolerant

Adoption of transgenic crops in the country

SOYBEAN
HT

HT: herbicide-tolerant

Trade

International trade of GM crops

Bolivia is a net ag-exporting country. Products derived from GM crops represent more than 61% of the value of the country's agricultural exports and reach 33 countries around the world. For more information about the contribution of GM crops to world trade, from Bolivia and the other Latin American countries, visit the Trade section.

Are there local developments?

For the time being, there are no local developments of GM crops in advanced stages.

Benefits of GM crops

The adoption of transgenic crops resulted in significant economic benefits for many farmers and their families. The adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybean encouraged the adoption of novel production techniques, much more favorable to crop sustainability, such as no-till farming and crop rotation, since glyphosate facilitated weed control. In addition, biotechnology helped to increase soybean yields. The Oilseed Crops and Wheat Producers Association (ANAPO) has estimated that, without the adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybean, the average yield of non-GM soybean for the period 2005-2015 would have been 20% lower, but that thanks to transgenic soybean, the aggregate production showed a significant increase. Finally, GM soybean prevented the deforestation of at least 230,000 hectares. The same study concluded that GM maize could provide additional benefits for the country.

For further information regarding benefits

• Impacto socioeconómico y medioambiental en Bolivia a partir de la soya y maíz genéticamente mejorados. Guanella Iriarte L. (2016)

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

• GM crop technology use 996-2018: 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)

Regulation of GM crops

1997

Since

Brief description of the regulatory framework

The Supreme Decree 24676/1997 created the National Committee on Biosafety and the Biosafety Regulation that allowed the approval of herbicide-tolerant soybean in 2005. However, in 2012, the Mother Earth Law was passed, banning GMOs in crops of which Bolivia is center of origin or diversity, and fostering the gradual removal of the already approved GMOs.

• Regulatory framework

GM animals

Does the country produce GM animals?

For the time being, the country does not commercially produce GM animals.

Brief description of the regulatory framework for GM animals

Even though the Supreme Decree 24676/1997 created the National Committee on Biosafety and the Biosafety Regulation that could include activities related to GM animals, no specific regulations have been developed nor implemented to that end.

• Regulatory framework

Are there local developments?