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SOUTH AFRICAN GM CROP ADOPTION IN 2006
Drafted by Wynand J. van der Walt
Senior Partner, FoodNCropBio Consulting and Facilitation Services
Tel (+27)-12-347-6334, Mobile (+27)-(0)83-468-3471
Email: wynandjvdw@telkomsa.net
Pretoria, South Africa
13 April 2006.
GM MAIZE DOUBLES MARKET SHARE IN 2006
Planting of genetically modified (GM) maize increased its market share from
14.6 per cent of total South African maize planted in 2005 to 29.4 per cent
in 2006, according to a survey submitted by FoodNCropBio to the Maize Trust
this week. The major unique trait remains insect resistance with 72 per cent
of total GM maize, while herbicide tolerant maize now stands at 28 per cent.
Actual hectares planted increased by 11 per cent to 455 287 despite total
maize area having slumped by 45 per cent.
This increase builds upon past trends that amounted to 42 per cent GM maize
growth in 2003, 44 per cent in 2004 and 20 per cent in 2005. White GM maize
showed the most dramatic increase from 8.6 per cent of total white maize
area in 2005 to 28.8 per cent in 2006. Yellow GM area planted grew from 24
per cent to 30.5 per cent of total yellow for the same period.
It is clear that farmers gain benefit from GM technology. Nevertheless,
co-existence of GM and conventional maize farming has been accepted. Some
farmers grow conventional maize under contract with buyers who serve non-GM
markets, while various agri-businesses retain separate storage facilities
for non-GM grain. Standards for identity preservation have been finalized so
that certification of non-GM will be possible.
GM SHARE OF SOYBEAN CROP STABILIZES
Herbicide tolerance in GM soybeans has been the global driving factor in
conservation farming by reducing ploughing and tilling practices. The share
of GM soybean area planted was estimated at 135 000 hectares or 59 per cent
of total soybeans, about the same as for the 2005 crop. Use of farm-saved
seed continues to increase and may create problems for future non-GM
production due to risk of seed mixing.
GM COTTON STILL AT 90 PER CENT
The anticipated increase in cotton area did not materialize due to low local
cotton prices, aggravated by drought at planting time. The share of GM
cotton remains at 90 to 92 per cent of the total. The stacked traits of
insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, only approved for commercial
release by government in September 2005, realized a 40 per cent market share
in its first year. Varieties with only insect resistance had a 39 per cent
share and those with only herbicide tolerance stood at 13 per cent share.
The remaining 8 per cent was planted to conventional cotton.
Total area planted to the three GM crops came to over 609 000 ha, up 18 per
cent from the 2005 area of 515 000 ha.
The survey on GM maize conducted by FoodNCropBio was supported by a grant
from the South African Maize Trust.
Additional reading
All
inquiries on this article should be directed to Wynand J. van der Walt
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