The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines biotechnology as "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use".

Biotechnology in agriculture is not a new phenomenon. Although references to biotechnology have been increasingly prominent in past years, the use of biological processes to improve food production actually dates back to the time when humans started domesticating animals and growing crops, over 10,000 years ago.

Since the early origins of agriculture, farmers have worked to modify plants to increase yields and tolerate stresses. This began with basic hybridization and mutation and grew steadily with advances in technology. Today, biotechnology has become even more precise, allowing the transfer of beneficial genetic material from one species to another. Biotech crops produced this way are sometimes called genetically modified crops or transgenic crops, and they have increased crop yields while allowing a reduction of environmental impacts from agriculture.

Read more about the history of biotechnology.

Global production

Since the first modern commercial biotech crops were grown in 1996, plant biotechnology has proved to be the most rapidly adopted new technology in the history of farming. All signs are that this trend will continue, particularly in developing countries. In 2006, the global biotech crop area continued to increase as over 10 million farmers in 22 countries planted 102 million hectares of biotech crops.

GLOBAL AREA OF BIOTECH CROPS (1996-2006)

Source: Clive James, “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2006,” ISAAA, Brief 35 (January 2007).

North and South America account for the largest area under plant. However, the rate of growth has been most rapid in other regions, mainly in the developing world, and particularly in the major emerging economies of China and India. More European farmers are now planting biotech seeds for the first time because of the clear benefits they bring. An established base of farmers in Spain, France, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are now growing these crops.

AREA OF BIOTECH CROPS BY COUNTRY 2005-2006

Source: Clive James, “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2006,” ISAAA, Brief 35 (January 2007).

Biotech crop varieties

At present, four biotech crops ─ soybeans, cotton, corn (maize) and canola ─ account for virtually all of the biotech values and planted area. Other crops, such as alfalfa and rice, constitute less than 0.01%. Research and commercial activity by both the private and public sectors exists for almost all other crops, including staples such as rice and wheat, as well as fruits and vegetables.

BIOTECH CROP TYPES 2006

 
 

Source: Clive James, “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2006,” ISAAA, Brief 35 (January 2007). 

Read more about the status of biotech crops.