Biotech crops helped check 19 bn kg of CO2 last year: Report

The Economic Times , Monday, February 20, 2012
Correspondent : PTI
NEW DELHI: A world agriculture body has estimated that biotech plant technology helped in preventing the release of 19 billion kg of carbon dioxide in 2010, which was equivalent to keeping 9 million cars off roads.

Biotech leads to decrease in CO2s emissions as there is no tilling through application of herbicide tolerance, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) said in a report on the global status of commercial biotech/GM crops.

Besides, biotech crops reduce ploughing which, in turn, enhances the conservation of water substantially, reduces soil erosion significantly and builds up organic matter which locks up soil carbon and reduces CO2 emission, it said.

"The combined permanent and additional savings through sequestration is equivalent to a saving of 19 billion kg of CO2 or removing 9 million cars from the road," it added.

ISAAA said it was an effective tool for permanent saving in carbon dioxide through reduced use of fossil-based fuels.

Agriculture is a significant contributor (14%) of greenhouse gases (GHG) and, therefore, part of the problem in climate change, Clive James, Chairman of ISAAA, told PTI.

"It is appropriate that biotech crops also be part of the solution. There is credible, peer reviewed and published evidence that biotech crops are already contributing to the reduction of CO2," said James.

Biotech crops require fewer pesticide sprays which results in savings of tractor/fossil fuel and thus less CO2 emissions.

They can also overcome abiotic stresses (through drought and salinity tolerance) and biotic stresses (weed, pest and disease resistance) in environments made unproductive by climate changes because of variations in temperature, water level leading to more damaging epidemics and infestations which preclude growing of conventionally bred crops, the report said.

Citing these advantages, James called for allowing Indian farmers to test GM crop technology to increase productivity in the face of shrinking land areas.

 
SOURCE : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/biotech-crops-helped-check-19-bn-kg-of-co2-last-year-report/articleshow/11948403.cms
 


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