Acreage of commerically grown modified crops has rissen once again in 2008

14 December 2009

According to the generally respected overviews by ISAAA's Clive James, in 2008 the number of countries where gmo crops are grown on a commercial scale has risen by 3 countries to reach 25. In comparison Africa showed the biggest increase: Next to South Africa, in 2008 both Burkina Faxo and Egypt joined ranks. One can speculate if this has to do with dwindeling opposition against such crops or with the serious threats to food production Africa is currently witnessing (e.g. pathogens threatening banana crop in for instnace Kenia and Uganda).  No less than 15 of the countries belong to the developing world, clearly outnumbering the 10 countries in the industrialised world where gmo crops are grown. It is expected that by 2015, when gmo production has completed its 2nd decenium, 45 countries will grown gmo's on a commercial scale.
Another trend was the rise of 'stacked traits', crops combining more than one introduced trait in a single variety.

The area (in 2007 114.3 million hectare) rose in 2008 to 125 million hectare globally. When expressed in 'trait-hectares' where crops with stacked traits count more than once, the increase percentage was even more impressive (15% in stead of 9.4%). The explanation being that in some of the early adopting countries the market is completely saturated, and growth has to come from replacing single-trait gmo vartieties with multi-trait or stacked-trait gmo varieties.

Perhaps introducint 'trait hectares' will make discussions fuzzier in stead of clearer. Why not count a conventionally bred maize variety for a) making yellow kernels, b) for producing green leaves, c) for producing a male inflorescence at the top and d) for producing silk on each ear?

This leaves without saying that the ISAAA publications, becáuse they clearly indicate how measurements and calculations are performed, and thus everyone can add his or her favourit arithmatics, are a very popular starting point for various experts and the public at large.

source: ISAAA News brief 39 2008