2024-05-02 23:08:49
China is accelerating the pace of approvals for genetically modified corn seeds and soybean varieties as it seeks to boost domestic production and reduce its dependence on imports to meet food needs.
China, the world’s largest buyer of corn and soybeans, has agreed to 27 varieties of genetically modified corn seeds and three varieties of genetically modified soybeans, expanding the list of permits to increase the cultivation and planting of high-yield crops, Reuters reports, citing the Chinese. Ministry of Agriculture.
The varieties approved by the ministry in a notice issued on March 19 include seed varieties owned by Dabeinong 002385.SZ and China National Seed Group, a unit of Syngenta Group.
China has been cautious about using genetically modified crops for years, but in January said it would expand plantings of genetically modified soybeans and corn after pilot projects showed good results in increasing yields and reducing costs compared to types of traditional seeds.
The country of 1.4 billion people is trying to increase domestic production and improve food security by increasing seed yields and reducing grain imports by more than 100 million tonnes a year.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, the list of approved varieties is open for public comment until April 17.