The Green Revolution of the 1940s-1960s led by Norman Borlaug developed high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice to increase global food production and reduce hunger. Now, genes providing insect, chemical, and environmental resistance are being inserted into crops via transgenic methods. Bt crops containing a natural insect-killing gene have benefits like reduced pesticide use and increased yields but also concerns about their long-term impacts and corporate control. For Bt crops to best help the poor, issues around access, enabling environments, stability, and consumer protection must be addressed.

1. MODERN GREEN REVOLUTION PRACTICES IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD Aaron Wenger – Agron 342 November 7, 2008

4. BENEFITS OF BT CROPS www.agbioforum.org Impacted Areas Current Future Agricultural Practices -Less / More efficient use of pesticides -Increased productivity -More diversified agricultural products. -Pharmaceutical Crops Governmental / Social -Macroeconomic Gains -Higher efficiency of agricultural sector -Improved food / feed quality -Increased consumer confidence -Even greater improvements in food and feed quality (increases life expectancy) Economic Benefits-Growers -Improved control of weeds & insects -Reduced input costs; labor, chemical application, -Increased yields -Decreased exposure to harmful chemical products -Increased profit, more produced on a per acre basis -Trend will continue -Moving away from subsistence farming, will be able to sell surplus for income, increase standard of living. Economic Benefits-Consumers -Reduced food costs because of higher availability. -Less pesticide usage -Lower pathogen load, overall healthier item to eat -Greater range of affordable food choices.

7. ARE BT CROPS REALLY HELPING THE POOR? TABLE REFERENCING DISTRIBUTION OF BT COTTON ADOPTED BY SIZE OF FARM OR INCOME CLASS IN CHINA, 1999 % Bt crops found in observations (Lb/Ac) Yield Increase ($/Ac) Change in Cost ($/Ac) Change in Net Income Farm Size 0-1 Acre 86 +365 -$14.40 +$356.89 1-2.5 Acres 85 -119 -$475.26 +$414.74 2.5 + Acres 87 -110 -$161.98 +$164.65 Household Income ($) 1-1,200 85 +151.3 -$268.78 +$338.20 1,200 + 91 +57.85 -$48.06 +$139.73 Per Capita Income ($) 1-180 85 +405.84 -$191.35 +$396.94 180-360 83 +7.12 -$252.76 +$269.67 360+ 97 -53.40 +$0.89 -$13.35 http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/Y5160E/y5160e09.htm#P1_30