‘GM crops can reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

A recent international study has shown that genetically modified (GM) crops could actually be good for the environment, and for the climate in particular.

Results of the study suggested that the adoption of GM crops in the EU could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions considerably. The study by scientists from the Breakthrough Institute in the US and the University of Bonn in Germany was published recently in

Trends in Plant Science.

According to a statement by the Breakthrough Institute, agriculture accounted for around 25% of all GHG emissions worldwide. A large share of these emissions was ascribed to livestock production and fertiliser use. However, more than one-third of agriculture’s emissions were caused by land-use changes, especially the conversion of forests and other nature reserves to agricultural land in order to satisfy the rising global demand for food and feed.

“Using better technologies to increase crop yields on the land already cultivated could reduce this land-use change and the associated emissions,” said Prof Matin Qaim, director of the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn.

Global agricultural data and estimates of the yield effects of GM crops were used to model how increased technology adoption in the EU would affect production, land use, and GHG emissions. The estimates suggested that more widespread use of GM crops in the EU could prevent the release of 33 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, which corresponded to 7,5% of the EU’s total annual GHG emissions from agriculture.

In South Africa, most of the hectares earmarked for maize and soya were already planted to GM cultivars, according to Dr Hendrik Smith, conservation agriculture facilitator at Asset Research and the Maize Trust. He said the argument that GM cultivars’ yields were higher that of non-GM crops did not hold water, as “the hybrid, nonGMO cultivars available in South Africa are known for exceptionally high yield”.

“One of the most important ways to reduce GHG emissions locally is for the crop production industry to switch to conservation agriculture practices.” – Annelie Coleman

ANNELIE COLEMAN A new study has found that more widespread use of genetically modified crops could benefit the environment.