Biotechnology leads to more grain in the bin and more food on the table

Biotechnology will undoubtedly play a crucial role in feeding the growing world population. It’s projected that our world will require 70 percent more food in 2050.

While we most often talk about the need for continued yield improvements to meet thise growing demand for food, an article by Greg Lamp in the December issue of Corn and Soybean Digest reminds of the yield gains and other benefits that have been recognized in recent years due to biotechnology.  Here are few ways Lamp cites that biotechnology is already helping this number become reality:

• If farmers hadn’t used biotechnology in 2007, 14.75 million additional acres of soybeans and 7.5 additional acres of corn, plus cotton and canola would have needed planted. This equals about 6 percent of arable land in the United States.
• Average yield gains in areas using biotech insect-resistant corn is 6 percent, with the highest yield gains experienced in developing countries.
• Since 1996, biotech traits have added 67.8 million tons and 62.4 million tons respectively to global soybean and corn production.
• The additional production provided by biotechnology has contributed enough energy (in kcal terms) to feed about 402 million people for a year.

With some of the world feeling uncomfortable about biotech traits, it becomes all the more important for us to share the success biotechnology has already brought to our food supply. Please share some of the above information when you are talking with people who question biotech traits.

Click here to read the recent issue of Corn and Soybean Digest.

What differences have you noticed in your yields after using biotech traits? Please share in the comment field below.