Top 10 Facts About Biotech/GM Crops in Africa Beyond Promises: Top 10 Facts about Biotech/Gm Crops in 2013

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1 Top 10 Facts About Biotech/GM Crops in Africa 2013 Beyond Promises: Top 10 Facts about Biotech/Gm Crops in 2013

FaCT 1 2013 Marked was the the 1816th year consecutive year of of commercialization cultivation of biotech crops in Africa Hectarage of biotech crops increased every

crops in the continent was South Africa, having Since the given recorded regulatory commercialization approval in 1997.

(Maize in 100-fold 2008), Burkina increase Faso in the (cotton global area in 2008) of transgenic and Sudan crops. (cotton in 2012).

2 FaCT Marked was the the 1816th year consecutive year of of commercialization cultivation of biotech crops in Africa Hectarage of biotech crops increased every single year from The 1996 first to country 2013 with to 12 commercialize years of double biotech digit growth rates. crops in the continent was South Africa, having Since the given recorded regulatory commercialization approval in of GM Biotech crops in crops 1996 have up to since 2013, been several commercialized countries have contributed in three other to an countries - unprecedented Egypt (Maize in 100-fold 2008), Burkina increase Faso in the (cotton global area in 2008) of transgenic and Sudan crops. (cotton in 2012). Following unsubstantiated safety concerns in Egypt, the planting of biotech maize (Ajeeb-YG) 1.7 million was put on hold in 2012, pending hectares further review by the Government DuÅ an KostiÄ / Photos.com million hectares 2013

FaCT 2 Biotech Total biotech crop crop plantings hectarage increased to in Africa over 175 increased million by hectares 6% in 2013 Michael Novelo / Thinkstockphotos.

3 Burkina Faso million and hectares Sudan increasing 2012. their Bt cotton hectarage by 51% and 207% respectively.

3 FaCT 2 Biotech Total biotech crop crop plantings hectarage increased to in Africa over 175 increased million by hectares 6% in 2013 Michael Novelo / Thinkstockphotos.com There In 2013, was hectarage a 6 % increase of biotech in total biotech crops grew crop at hectarage an annual in rate Africa. of This 3%, was up by principally 5 million due from to Burkina Faso million and hectares Sudan increasing their Bt cotton hectarage by 51% and 207% respectively. The top biotech The total crops area in order under of biotech hectarage crops are: in soybean, 2013 in Africa maize, was 3,435,759 cotton, and hectares canola. (South Other Africa-2, biotech 900,000, crops grown Burkina 2013 Faso-474,229 are: alfalfa, and Sudan-61,530 sugar beet, papaya, hectares) squash, whereas poplar, the tomato, total in and the sweet three pepper. countries in 2012 was 3,233,781 hectares.

FaCT 3 Seven For the African second countries consecutive conducted year, developing field countries trials planted on biotech more biotech crops crops than industrial countries Seven

1 million hectares, and Uganda conducted confined or 54% of the global 175.2 field million trials hectares with 10 of biotech biotech crops.

4 FaCT 3 Seven For the African second countries consecutive conducted year, developing field countries trials planted on biotech more biotech crops crops than industrial countries Seven Farmers countries: from Latin Cameroon, America, Egypt, Asia, and Africa collectively Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria grew 94.1 million hectares, and Uganda conducted confined or 54% of the global field million trials hectares with 10 of biotech biotech crops. Notably, crops in 2013, the research compared is focusing on important with industrial food countries security at crops in the continent million These hectares, include: or 46% banana, cassava, of the global potato, total. cowpea, maize, rice, sorghum, wheat and sweet potatoes. Michael Valdez / Photos.com

FaCT 4 Distribution 27 developing of biotech and industrial crops

There were Of the about 27 countries 37 on-going which biotech planted

focusing on traits of high relevance to and 8 were industrial

Twenty-three are focusing on tropical pests and disease resistance, 5

countries tolerance, in and, Latin 3 America on nitrogen use efficiency

Asia There are also (India, two trials China), focusing and Africa on

5 FaCT 4 Distribution 27 developing of biotech and industrial crops traits countries in Africa broadened planted biotech crops in 2013 There were Of the about 27 countries 37 on-going which biotech planted crop trials biotech in the crops continent 2013, 19 were developing focusing on traits of high relevance to and 8 were industrial challenges facing African agriculture. countries. Twenty-three are focusing on tropical pests and disease resistance, 5 on nutritional The enhancement, 5 lead developing 4 on drought countries tolerance, in and, Latin 3 America on nitrogen use efficiency (Brazil, and Argentina), salt tolerance. Asia There are also (India, two trials China), focusing and Africa on flower color in Gypsophilla (South Africa) flowers grew 47% and of modified global oils in biotech Soybean crops. respectively. fotokostic / Thinkstockphotos.com

FaCT 5 Farmers a record satisfaction 18 million farmers with biotech grew crops biotech growing crops in 2013 Farmers More than increasingly 90%, or 16.

2013 Sanou, are a risk-averse, farmer from Burkina Faso reported small, resource-poor having realized farmers additional in yield of 3 tonnes developing from countries.

6 FaCT 5 Farmers a record satisfaction 18 million farmers with biotech grew crops biotech growing crops in 2013 Farmers More than increasingly 90%, or 16.5 voiced million their satisfaction with farmers the that benefits grew accruing biotech from growing biotech crops. in Mr Sanou, are a risk-averse, farmer from Burkina Faso reported small, resource-poor having realized farmers additional in yield of 3 tonnes developing from countries. planting Bt cotton compared to 2 tonnes with conventional cotton in the same area. In Sudan, Bt Cotton saved 37% of the direct In the last 18 years, millions cost of farmers of cotton in ~30 production countries for Sudanese cotton farmers.. worldwide They have were made happy more that the bolls in the lower than 100 third million of the independent plant, which are normally lost decisions in conventional to plant an varieties due to bollworm infestation, accumulated added hectarage to the of cotton 1.6 yield and quality, as billion these hectares the of bolls biotech with crops. the highest quality. ISAAA

FaCT 6 Economic The top 5 benefits countries by planting African biotech crops are countries usa, Brazil, continued argentina, to rise india, and Canada The economic The USA benefits continued

7 FaCT 6 Economic The top 5 benefits countries by planting African biotech crops are countries usa, Brazil, continued argentina, to rise india, and Canada The economic The USA benefits continued accrued to be by farmers growing the biotech lead producer crops in of Africa biotech continued to rise. It crops is estimated globally with that 70.1 the cumulative economic million gains hectares, from biotech and average crops in South adoption rate of 90% across Africa for the period 1998 to 2012 was US$ all biotech crops billion and US$ million for 2012 alone. Economic gains in Burkina Faso from Bt cotton were Each of estimated the 10 countries at US$ 90.2 which million in 2012 and grew US$ biotech 187 million crops for in 2013 the period 2008 to planted In the first more year than of 1 commercialization million (2012) in hectares. Sudan, Bt cotton saved 37% of the direct costs of cotton production. Canola Council of Canada

FaCT 7 African in africa, countries Burkina contributed Faso and sudan to the continued environmental to make benefits progress accruing increasing from adopting

to the overall Faso to global environmental benefits plant Bt realized cotton. In between1996 Sudan, to 2012 of more biotech than crops 27,000 adoption.

a better environment, by saving 497 million kg active ingredients of South pesticides; Africa maintained reducing carbon its dioxide (CO2) emissions biotech crop

8 FaCT 7 African in africa, countries Burkina contributed Faso and sudan to the continued environmental to make benefits progress accruing increasing from adopting their Bt cotton biotech hectarage crops globally in 2013 By 2013 adopting was the biotech sixth year crops, for African countries contributed farmers in Burkina to the overall Faso to global environmental benefits plant Bt realized cotton. In between1996 Sudan, to 2012 of more biotech than crops 27,000 adoption. farmers Biotech crops contributed planted Bt cotton to providing in a better environment, by saving 497 million kg active ingredients of South pesticides; Africa maintained reducing carbon its dioxide (CO2) emissions biotech crop by 26.7 hectarage billion at kg 2.9 (equivalent to taking 11.8 million million hectares cars off in the road for one year in 2012 alone); and conserving biodiversity by saving 123 million hectares of land in the period Kwame Ogero / ISAAA

FaCT 8 Five Regional countries biotechnology in the european policy initiatives union planted 148,013 gathered hectares pace in the of continent biotech maize in 2013 2001 RABESA PRojEct PRogRESS:

9 FaCT 8 Five Regional countries biotechnology in the european policy initiatives union planted 148,013 gathered hectares pace in the of continent biotech maize in RABESA PRojEct PRogRESS: COMESA Ministerial meeting in Zimbabwe (reviewed RABESA status) 2009 Drafting of regional Biosafety policies and guidelines RABESA Phase I Creation of ACTESA by COMESA Heads of State 2010 Policy studies on GMOs COMESA Ministerial meeting in Seychelles (reviewed RABESA status COMESA regional workshop on Biosafety policies and guidelines held in Nairobi National Workshops held (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt & Zambia) 2008 Creation of COMESA Biosafety Panel of Experts COMESA Ministerial meeting in Zambia (recommended national workshops in all member states) Regional Workshop held (17 COMESA member states participated) COMESA Ministerial meeting in Swaziland (recommended a final regional workshop) *18 National consultations *Regional workshop to consolidate national inputs 2007 COMESA Ministerial meeting in Khartoum (endorsed areas of harmonization) 2014 Progress Spain was made is the leading regional country initiatives on harmonization in the EU of with policies 136,962 and regulatory frameworks hectares within of Bt the maize, continent. up by A major milestone 18% was from approval and endorsement of the COMESA Policy on Biotechnology and Biosafety. The regional policy provides a mechanism The other for scientific EU countries regional which grew biotech crops in 2013 risk assessment of GMOs intended for are: Portugal, Czech Republic, commercial planting, trade and access to Romania, and Slovakia. emergency food aid for COMESA Member States. It will also allow for cost efficiency in the sharing of knowledge, expertise and resources on biotechnology and biosafety in the continent. Artranq / Photos.com

FaCT 9 Several African countries reviewed their biosafety frameworks to support research and Biotech crops contribute to food security, commercialization of biotech crops sustainability, and climate

0 science-based billion were and generated globally by biotech crops, due cost/time-effective. As of 2013, 19 to reduced production costs and countries substantial had enacted yield gains.

10 FaCT 9 Several African countries reviewed their biosafety frameworks to support research and Biotech crops contribute to food security, commercialization of biotech crops sustainability, and climate change Increasingly, more African countries are revising From 1996 their to biosafety 2012, economic regulations gains at to the ensure farm they level are of functional, US$116.0 science-based billion were and generated globally by biotech crops, due cost/time-effective. As of 2013, 19 to reduced production costs and countries substantial had enacted yield gains. biosafety frameworks and 5 were working towards Biotech a review. crops They have are: reduced Burkina the Faso, Ethiopia, amount of Mozambique, pesticides used by 497 Tanzania million and kilograms. Togo. In 2012 alone, fewer insecticide sprays reduced CO2 emissions by 26.7 billion kilograms, equivalent to taking 11.8 million cars off the road for a year. Smileus / Photos.com

FaCT 10 More countries are geared to commercializing biotech The outlook cropsfor biotech crops in the second decade of commercialization look encouraging It is anticipated that several of the

11 FaCT 10 More countries are geared to commercializing biotech The outlook cropsfor biotech crops in the second decade of commercialization look encouraging It is anticipated that several of the countries currently field-testing biotech crops will graduate to commercialization in the next 5 years. The early predominant Biotech products crops have that the will likely feature are the potential Water to Efficient make a Maize substantial for Africa (WEMA) - drought contribution tolerant the maize 2015 scheduled for Millenium Development Goal a launch in 2017, the well-tested biotech cotton, of cutting poverty in half and and hopefully, one of the several food security optimizing crop productivity. crops such as the insect resistant cowpea and biofortified banana. The African Development Bank has acknowledged Biotech crops can the serve need to as increase resources for engine technologies of rural economic to boost food security. This, coupled growth with political for the alleviation goodwill of and success in the lead countries poverty for continue the world s to provide small cautious and resource-poor farmers. 7Michael / Photos.com optimism for increased adoption of biotech crops in Africa.

Beyond Top 10 Promises: Facts Top about 10 Facts Biotech/GM about Biotech/Gm Crops in Africa Crops in 2013 According to FAO statistics of 2012, while the number of undernourished people decreased by

Modern biotechnological tools especially genetic modification (GM) offer promise and potential for resolving some of the major agricultural constrains in African smallholder farms.

12 Beyond Top 10 Promises: Facts Top about 10 Facts Biotech/GM about Biotech/Gm Crops in Africa Crops in 2013 According to FAO statistics of 2012, while the number of undernourished people decreased by nearly 30 % in Asia and the Pacific, the number of hungry grew in Africa from 175 million to 239 million: nearly one in four people is hungry. Modern biotechnological tools especially genetic modification (GM) offer promise and potential for resolving some of the major agricultural constrains in African smallholder farms. ISAAA AfriCenter ILRI Campus, Old Naivasha Road, P.O.Box , Uthiru, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: , Fax: africenter@isaaa.org Website: AATF ILRI Campus, Old Naivasha Road, P.O.Box , Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: , Fax: ofab@aatf-africa.org Website: