Experts highlight importance of GM crops

The agricultural biotechnology has enabled the Pakistani farmers to grow genetically modified crops in a more sustainable manner which would ensure adequate food supply with economic, social and environmental benefits. Biotechnology experts told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the agricultural biotechnology has a positive impact on farmers' well-being. Biotech crops enable farmers to benefit economically and, at the same time, allow farmers to grow crops in a more sustainable manner. With rising food prices and increasing global population, increased crop yields provided through agricultural biotechnology can provide important economic, social and environmental benefits.
While talking about importance of biotech, The experts said, "In our agricultural driven economy, use of such technology can deliver higher crop yields which can boost incomes for our farmers and feed more people." This technology can enable farmers to increase their agricultural productivity and provide a higher quality crop, which, in turn, translates into higher incomes. This cycle ultimately leads to a more consistent food supply which can help national economy. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases, they said.
Experts said that ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come. Genetically modified (GM) foods promise to meet this need in a number of ways.
Experts said that crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in financial loss for farmers. Farmers typically use huge quantity of chemical pesticides annually. Growing GM crops can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market.
For some crops, farmers often spray large quantities of different herbicides to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive process that requires care so that the herbicide doesn't harm the crop plant or the environment. Crop plants genetically-engineered to be resistant herbicide could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed.