Farm income and production impacts of using GM crop technology 1996–2015

Abstract

This paper provides an assessment of the value of using genetically modified (GM) crop technology in agriculture at the farm level. It follows and updates earlier annual studies which examined impacts on yields, key variable costs of production, direct farm (gross) income and impacts on the production base of the 4 main crops of soybeans, corn, cotton and canola. The commercialisation of GM crops has occurred at a rapid rate since the mid 1990s, with important changes in both the overall level of adoption and impact occurring in 2015. This annual updated analysis shows that there continues to be very significant net economic benefits at the farm level amounting to $15.4 billion in 2015 and $167.8 billion for the 20 year period 1996–2015 (in nominal terms). These gains have been divided 49% to farmers in developed countries and 51% to farmers in developing countries. About 72% of the gains have derived from yield and production gains with the remaining 28% coming from cost savings. The technology has also made important contributions to increasing global production levels of the 4 main crops, having, for example, added 180 million tonnes and 358 million tonnes respectively, to the global production of soybeans and maize since the introduction of the technology in the mid 1990s.

Impact on environment, ecosystem, diversity and health from culturing and using GMOs as feed and food

“…Global commercial cultivation of GM crops has reached to an aggregate land mass of two billion hectares over the last two decades, with total generated benefits of 150.3 billion US$ (Brooks and Barfoot, 2016). The so-called 20 th anniversary of GM crops resulted in significant net economic benefits (through yield and production gains as well as from cost savings) ultimately reducing yield gaps, reduced pesticide application, and conservation of zero tillage (Brookes and Barfoot, 2016;Taheri et al 2017).…”

“…Global commercial cultivation of GM crops has reached to an aggregate land mass of two billion hectares over the last two decades, with total generated benefits of 150.3 billion US$ (Brooks and Barfoot, 2016). The so-called 20 th anniversary of GM crops resulted in significant net economic benefits (through yield and production gains as well as from cost savings) ultimately reducing yield gaps, reduced pesticide application, and conservation of zero tillage (Brookes and Barfoot, 2016;Taheri et al 2017). However, although cultivation of GM crops and their use in food and feed has not delivered what was expected in terms of accomplishment and GM technology has attracted an ever-increasing and an extremely emotional and complex scientific and political debate, involving a very wide community of different groups ranging from environmental conservationists and ecologists, to evolutionary M A N U S C R I P T…”

A tipping point for agricultural expansion? Technological changes and capital accumulation in Argentina's rural sector

“…The link between technological innovation and rising yields is thus crucial for industrial agriculture supporters. In the case of biotechnology, its advocates also spotlight other associated economic and environmental benefits (Brookes & Barfoot, 2017a, 2017bGoldstein, 2014;Green, 2012;Smyth, 2017). On the contrary, Gurian-Sherman (2009) offers a critical view on this matter.…”

Potential Adoption and Commercial Introduction of GM Crops in Finland: A Case Study on Potato

“…If innovations are not available to every farm, a significant part of farms couldmiss out on new developments, whether they want it or not. Several studies underline that economic benefits from adopting GM technology vary widely between farmers (Bullock and Nitsi, 2001;Brookes and Barfoot, 2017;Desquilbet et al, 2002). Some argue that the ability of small businesses to adopt innovations to be weaker than that of larger businesses.…”