This is the VOA SpecialEnglish Agriculture Report.
We continue our look at the influence of genetically engineeredcrops on agricultural trade. Last week, we discussed how policydifferences can lead to changes in export trade. We noted that suchcrops have helped Argentina, for example, greatly increase its tradewith Europe.
In two-thousand, Argentina grew twenty-three percent of theworld’s genetically engineered crops. In fact, just four countriesproduced ninety-nine percent of all the genetically engineered cropsthat year. Canada and China were also among them. But the UnitedStates produced the most of all.
More countries now take part in the market for what are calledbiotechnology or transgenic crops. However, a few countries controlhuge parts of some markets.
Genetically engineered soybeans are an example. In two-thousand,six countries supplied one-hundred-sixteen nations. Those sixcountries controlled most of the market.
Developing countries may see genetically engineered crops as away to increase food production. By growing them, developing nationscould supply their own food needs. However, a report by theInternational Food Policy Research Institute in Washington says thisgoal is not realistic. The report says developing nations could harmtheir natural resources by trying to produce enough crops to reachfood security.
Developing countries do produce and use most of the world supplyof some crops. These include rice, millet, cassava, sweet potatoesand bananas. Yet scientists have engineered few kinds of thesecrops. Instead, most of the investment has gone into canola, corn,cotton and soybeans. Developed nations that support transgenicresearch have been able to increase production and exports.
Public opinion, of course, is divided about geneticallyengineered products. But the Food and Agriculture Organizationsupports agricultural policies that bring together genetic and othertechnologies. The United Nations agency says current investment inresearch is aimed toward richer nations. The F-A-O says it wants tomake sure developing nations gain more.
Next week, we will explore how some countries are sharingagricultural technology with farmers in Africa.
This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by MarioRitter.