Effective crop protection and plant biotechnology deliver benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment.  Although the world population has doubled in the last 40 years, the total area of land devoted to food production has remained virtually unchanged.

The benefits of biotechnology

Plant biotechnology (also commonly referred to as agricultural biotechnology or genetically modified organisms) delivers benefits for agriculture and society through increased yields, simplified crop management, high quality crops and, in some cases, a reduction in the use of pesticides, all translating into improved livelihoods for farmers. 

Biotechnology crops also benefit the environment.  Biotechnology can enable more efficient use of water in agriculture, reduce soil erosion, and reduce the need for loss of biodiversity.

Small scale farmers stand to benefit as much as larger ones from biotechnology, as pre-protected crops provide an effective, labour-saving way to fight off pests and diseases.

The benefits of crop protection

By using pesticides, herbicides and fungicides helps farmers can increase crop productivity and crop quality.  Crop protection products help to secure a consistent supply of food that is abundant, healthy and nutritious.
Using herbicides enables farmers to grow crops on the same land area, with less tillage, creating less emissions, using less resources and producing less soil erosion. These increased yields then reduce the necessity to cultivate forests or other valuable habitats like pastures and wetlands.

Herbicides have removed the back-breaking hardship of hand weeding for millions of (largely women) labourers.  They have given farmer families across the world the choice to pursue education and opportunities away from farming, so improving quality of life and living standards.

Pesticides such as rodenticides help safeguard public health by controlling or eliminating pests that cause disease damage to people and property.

More on the benefits of plant biotechnology
More on the benefits of pesticides
Further information

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