In 2018, 70 countries planted or imported genetically modified crops, which is the 23rd year of continuous application of genetically modified crops in the world. A total of 191.7 million hectares of genetically modified crops were planted in 26 countries (21 developing countries and 5 developed countries), an increase of 1.9 million hectares from the planting area in 2017.
htmlOn August 26, the International Agricultural Biotechnology Application Services Organization (ISAAA) released the commercialization status of global genetically modified/genetically modified crops in 2018 (ISAAA Briefing No. 54). The report believes that the continued cultivation of GM crops by farmers around the world shows that GM crops will continue to help humans cope with global challenges such as hunger, malnutrition and climate change.According to the 2018 United Nations State of World Food Security and Nutrition Report, the global hungry population has grown for three consecutive years, and the growth level is the same as ten years ago. According to the 2017 Global Food Crisis Report, hunger and malnutrition are still intensifying, with about 108 million people in 48 countries around the world facing food risks or serious food inadequacies.
In order to solve these global challenges that affect the lives of many families around the world, it is necessary to develop genetically modified crops with improved traits, such as higher yields, insect resistance, and richer nutrition.
GMO technology contributes to all aspects of food security. "GMO technology has contributed to all aspects of food security. This technology ensures food supply by increasing yields and reducing losses; helps farmers improve processes and joining modern supply chains, thereby improving access to food; increasing access to low-priced food by increasing farmers and rural incomes; and helps improve food utilization through strict food safety and hygiene standards. While agricultural biotechnology is not the only key technology to improve global food security, it is an important scientific tool in a multidisciplinary program."
GMO crop planting has increased by about 113 times since 1996, with a cumulative area of 2.5 billion hectares. In countries with high annual application rates of genetically modified crops such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India, the application rate of major crops is close to 100%, which means that farmers prefer this crop technology compared to traditional crops.
ISAA report also highlights the following main findings:
• The top 5 countries with the largest area of genetically modified crops (USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India) account for 91% of the global genetically modified crop planting area.
• GMO soybeans have the highest application rate in the world, accounting for 50% of the global GMO crop area.
• The planting area of genetically modified crops with multiple traits continues to increase, accounting for 42% of the global planting area of genetically modified crops.
• In Europe, Spain and Portugal, the transplantation of genetically modified corn controls the European corn borer.
• Farmers in 10 Latin American countries have planted a total of 79.4 million hectares of genetically modified crops.
• 19.13 million hectares of genetically modified crops were planted in 9 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
• In Asia, Indonesia has developed drought-tolerant sugarcane for the first time through cooperation between the public sector (Jember University) and the private sector (Ajinomoto Ltd.).
• The Kingdom of Swatini (formerly Swaziland ) planted genetically modified crops in Africa together with South Africa and Sudan and introduced insect-resistant cotton flowers. Nigeria , Ethiopia , Kenya and Malawi approved the planting of insect-resistant cotton , marking the beginning of growing genetically modified crops in Africa.
• A larger area of genetically modified crops were planted according to farmers and consumers' needs, including anti-contusion, anti- browning , low acrylamide and anti-late blight potatoes; anti-browning apples; insect-resistant eggplant; low lignin alfalfa, etc.
• New crops and trait combinations in farmland include insect-resistant and drought-resistant sugarcane; high oleic rapeseed and safflower seeds .
• Golden rice rice, Bt rice, -resistant herbicide cotton, low-phenol cotton, etc. have obtained a number of food, feed and processing approvals.
• Crops approved for cultivation in 2019 include the new generation of herbicide-resistant cotton and soybeans, low-phenol cotton, glyphosate and low-lignin alfalfa, omega-3 rapeseed, and insect-resistant cowpea.
