Biotechnology in agriculture is responsible for percent of agriculture exports in South Africa

Enhancing food security through AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

What is agricultural biotechnology? A process of using biotechnology tools [living organisms or parts of organisms to make, modify or improve, plants, trees, animals or micro organisms] to improve crops and livestock, the key sources of food in the world. The science of biotechnology in agriculture includes different techniques and applications such as conven-

tional plant breeding, tissue culture, micro propagation and genetic engineering.

500 000 people are employed in agriculture, where

biotechnology tools are appliedGM has helped cuts down global

pesticide use in agriculture by 200 tonnes

R500 Million

25%

25% of small holder farmers have adopted GM since 2007

Is annually earned by small scale farmers in South Africa through the

sale of their GM maize, soy bean and cotton

R2 Million

Farmers annually save R2million in pesticides and herbicides as a result

of using Bt and Ht maize seed

GM scientists are among the most sought after professional in the SA

job market

South Africa has one of the highest household food insecurity in the world at 30%

85% GMO

85% GMO

Of South Africa's maize grain exports, 85 percent is GM

60% of all fruit grown in SA is GM

500 000

GMOTrained

25%Gone GMO

50 000 farmers have been trained in agricul-ture biotechnology use in South Africa.

0

20

40

60

80

100

1985 2013

Agriculture land under GM crops has doubled in the world between 1985 and 2013

Labelling GM foods will cost industry R1 million and

add R3 million onto food prices in South Africa

25 percent of small holder farmers have adopted GM

since 2007

GM use has lowered labour costs for farmers by,

allowing them to invest the money in other operations

South Africa is the biggest grower of GM

crops in Africa and the Eight in the world

Biotechnology in agriculture provides up to 50 percent of global food needs.

GM technology has helped eliminated pests and diseases

13 2