Measuring the Economic Impacts of Transgenic Crops in Developing Agriculture during the First Decade

This new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) investigates whether genetically modified (GM) crops can benefit poor farmers. The report is based on a review of the scholarly literature. The authors conclude that GM crops have promise for poor farmers. The authors consider the economic impacts of GM crops not only on farmers, but also on consumers, the agricultural sector as a whole, and international trade. They have also compiled a web-bibliography, called bEcon, which is available to researchers, especially those in developing countries, as a tool to further their understanding of the evidence. The preface to the report notes that further in-depth investigation on the impact of GM crops is needed. Bt cotton is by far the most studied GM crop, but analysis of the economic impacts of other crops has only begun. Impacts on poverty, inequality, health, and the environment need more rigorous exploration, according to the report. And particular aspects of GM crops-such as the institutional organization of their supply, the way that knowledge and GM seed are diffused in communities, and the costs and benefits of biosafety regulations-warrant in-depth investigation. The report can be viewed online at the link below.

The original article may still be available at www.ifpri.org/pubs/fpreview/pv10.asp

Source: IFPRI