‘Increases harvests by 10%’: Amid rising food uncertainty, China increases its commitment to higher-yield biotech crops

Credit: WSJ
Credit: WSJ

China’s plans to permit the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops have this year finally taken a step forward.

In January, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs revised a set of regulations for seed-makers to seek approval for GM crops. For years, the absence of such regulations has hindered the commercialization process.

The technology has shifted in the eyes of the government into becoming an important tool for increasing agricultural production and cutting costs. With the top leadership set on developing the nation’s food self-sufficiency, the scientific revitalization of the seed industry is seen as a way to ease food security concerns amid rising domestic demand and uncertainties caused by an increasingly harsh international climate and a global pandemic that has left China isolated.

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Compared with traditional technology, the 10% increase in yield brought by transgenic technology is seen as highly valuable. The national standard is to approve a new variety if it yields 1% to 3% more than its predecessor.

Experts have predicted that by 2030, China’s grain production must increase by 15% over current levels, while meat, egg and milk production should increase by 30% to 50% to meet the country’s demand for food.

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