Summary
China remains a huge exporter of grains. GM crops are becoming a necessity for global farmers in order to produce enough crops to feed the ever increasing population.
Analysis
Rice is perhaps the most important staple crop world wide alongwith wheat and corn. Global research leaders are emphasizing the need to produce GM versions of staple crops to multiply their crop yields and prevent them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Recently china has announced that they are seriously working on producing genetically manipulated rice. Genetically modified rice cleared for commercial sale would most probably be grown on Chinese farms as early as next year, making China the first country to allow commercial cultivation of GM strains. The field trials required for any new variety are now under way.
At the Initial stages two varieties, Huahui 1 and Bt Shanyou 63, received clearance and should be launched within the next two years. Importantly, both contain "Bt" proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium to protect them against the rice stem borer, the most serious rice pest in China.
This is considered a significant step in order to increase rice production in china.
This is considered a significant step in order to increase rice production in china.
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
