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Jul. 20, 2023
Source: Genetic Literary Project The use of modern seed genetics (which includes genetically modified (GM) crops, chemical and fertilizer use) greatly contributes to improved agricultural sustainability and climate change mitigation. The integration of these various inputs and technologies highlights how food production is a highly technical system, requiring all three to be efficient and cost-effective. Potential bans or reductions to one or more of these technologies threatens to undermine the climate mitigation successes achieved to date. Innovation is the key Since 1960, food production has increased by 390% while land use has increased by a mere 10%. One estimate of the impact that GM crops have had on land use undertaken in 2010 found that without GM crops, an additional 13 million hectares of land would have been globally required to produce the amount of food that was available. Those that advocate for a return to crop production that doesn't rely on integrating any of the above technologies, is advocating for agricultural production practices prior to 1960, where increases were entirely due to increased land used to produce crops. Increasing land use every year, is not a sustainable way to produce crops. Improved soil health One of the most valuable assets farmers transfer to the next generation is the health of the soil that is farmed. Innovations greatly contribute to improving soil health. The efficient weed control resulting from GM crop production facilitates continuous zero-tillage crop production, which has significant soil benefits, with one study finding carbon storage increased from 0.3 Mt/yr to 6.4 Mt/yr. With the positive correlation between GM crops and reduced tillage, both technologies reduce agricultural impacts on the environment and often improve soil and water quality through reduced erosion. Reduced chemical applications have prevented millions of kilograms of chemical active ingredients from being applied to crops, further benefiting soil health. To read the entire report . Tweet |
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