Genetically modified crops reached a significant milestone this week and a new third-party study clearly demonstrates the benefits of genetically modified drought-tolerant corn for African farmers and consumers.

1 billion hectares of biotech crops planted

This week agricultural biotechnology marked an important milestone: farmers around the world have planted more than 1 billion hectares of GM crops since they were introduced in 1996. This is a huge accomplishment (there are 2.47 acres in a hectare) and demonstrates that farmers globally are recognizing and taking advantage of the benefits made possible through high-yielding GM crops. Full story. 

Senior Vice President of World Wildlife Fund: “We need to use less to produce more…to restore the planet”

Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund, a leading environmental NGO, spoke at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference and stressed that we need to produce more food to keep up with the world’s growing population, projected to increase 33 percent - to more than 9 billion - in 40 years. In order to feed the world, he noted that food production will have to become “increasingly more efficient” and “we cannot abandon modern genetics and technology.” Full story.

Voice of America: New study finds the adoption of GM drought resistant corn could save the livelihoods of African farmers and earn them nearly $1 billion

Hundreds of millions of Africans rely on corn production for income and basic sustenance, but frequent droughts threaten the crop and the livelihood of millions of African farmers. A new study from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center finds that corn genetically modified to be drought-tolerant could result in “collective economic benefits of around $900 million for African farmers by 2016.” The study, conducted in cooperation with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, demonstrates the real need for drought resistant corn so farmers can continue to supply the crop even during drought conditions.  Full story.