Plant biotechnology made its introduction in Mzansi over 20 years ago. Today, there are still debates about farmers choosing conventional farming practices or biotech crops. CropLife SA brings us some expert insight into the world of plant biotechnology and what farmers should know.
Corteva Agriscience’s developing marketing manager, Charles Matlou, expands on the types of biotech crops approved for commercialisation in South Africa and the difference between conventional and biotech crop farming.
Using a variety of increasingly sophisticated genetic tools, plant breeders can link a single gene to a specific feature and introduce this directly into plants in a quicker, more effective way. Plant biotechnology is simply a continuation of the breeding process.
South Africa has approved the commercial planting of three biotech crops: maize, cotton, and soya, says Matlou.
Consistent with global biotech crop adoption trends elsewhere, the primary biotech traits planted in South Africa include crops with herbicide tolerant (HT) traits, allowing for better weed management, and insect resistant crops expressing Bt insecticidal proteins offering plants protection against targeted pests such as maize stalk borer (Busseola Fusca) and African cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera).
(Bt crops refers to a crop that produces an insecticidal protein from a soil bacterium.)
Types of biotech crops
Maize: The most significant grain crop in South Africa, which is grown in a variety of settings. The proper use of production inputs that will support agricultural output and the environment is essential for successful maize production. Approximately 87% of South Africa’s maize crop is planted with biotech maize varieties containing insect resistance, herbicide tolerance and/or drought-tolerant traits.
Cotton: Cotton is the only crop that serves as both a food and a fibre crop.
Cotton is used in 60% of all textile and apparel products, but it is much more than the fibre we are familiar with in our clothes, towels, bedding, and linen. Its seeds are also used to produce cottonseed oil, as well as cottonseed meals for animal consumption. 100% of cotton production in South Africa is planted with biotech varieties containing insect resistant and/or herbicide-tolerant traits.
Soya: Soybean or soya bean farming is the process of growing soybeans for livestock feed, food supply sales, or the sale of seeds for cultivation. 95 % of soybean production in South Africa is planted with biotech varieties that include herbicide-tolerant traits and insect-resistant traits.
Does conventional farming differ much from biotech?
Surprisingly, the input costs are the same for small-scale farmers and commercial farmers, says Matlou.
“Farming biotech crops do not differ significantly from conventional farming. The only difference is that they are much more manageable compared to conventional crops.”
Matlou explains that if a farmer plants the conventional seed, the farmer may need to take additional measures to control insects through spraying. But with the planting of biotech seeds with insect-resistant traits such as Bt, the crops are protected against targeted insects, thus reducing the need for pesticides.
Ideally, when it comes to the management of pests and diseases, farmers should be adopting an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. The principles and concept of IPM encourage the use of various pest management options and tools for the prevention and control of pests. This includes the use of biotech varieties as well as cultural, mechanical and chemical methods for effectively controlling pests while safeguarding human health and the environment.
How biotech crops benefit farmers
- Improved yield outcomes due to better protection against pest damage;
- Improved farmer income and livelihoods;
- Savings in labour and time:
- Reduced use of inputs; and
- Greater flexibility for the management of weeds and pests.
“One of the differences could be the price; it costs about 3-5% more than conventional seeds. But for farmers to do this thing practically, they need to do their trials,” he adds.
He makes an example under irrigation: If a farmer is targeting 10 tons per hectare, the total production cost is R26 000; and if a farmer is targeting 15 tons, the total cost for production is R33 000.
At the end of the day, the costs do not differ on a small-scale or commercial level, it all remains the same for input costs.
Advice to farmers
At this point, there is no reason for farmers to be hesitant to talk or think biotech, says Matlou. He advises farmers to conduct their own assessments to determine what works best for them by doing the following:
- Experiment and run your own trials on your own farms.
- Plant a portion of biotech crops and another portion of conventional crops.
- Assess the difference in the management of both crops.
- Evaluate the costs and how much it differs.
- Assess the harvest.
- Collect and keep a record of data from your trials.
“This could lead the farmers to decide at the end of the day if they want to go with conventional or biotech crops,” says Matlou.
ALSO READ: Exploring the ins and outs of plant biotechnology
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