August 10, 2024, 2:25 PM
August 10, 2024, 2:25 PM
A study presented by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (FCA) of the Gabriel René Moreno University (UAGRM) revealed that With the introduction of Intacta soy, Increased agricultural yields could translate into a surplus of 5,442,729 tonnes by 2030, with an export value of US$3.5 billion.
While the approval of the Bt corn would allow a surplus of 3.4 million MT by 2030, with which the country would go from deficit to being a net exporter.
On Friday, grain producers from the East of the department of Santa Cruz reached an agreement for the Government free the use of transgenic seeds, Biotechnological as Intacta (soybean) and HB4 (corn), requests that -the Executive assured- have joined the Biosecurity Committee last week.
The dean of the FCA, Luis Llanos, stated that “the economic, productive, environmental and sustainability benefits that the use of Intacta soy could bring to the country have the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector and strengthen national food security.”
During his presentation on Monday, the academic also said that, on the other hand, “The adoption of RR+Bt corn could transform agricultural production from Bolivia, with important economic, social and environmental benefits.”
The study, carried out with an environmental protection approach, also calculated that the reduction in pesticide use The use of Intacta soy would avoid the application of 1,896,990 liters of agrochemicals annually in Bolivia.
The investigation mentions that the department of Santa Cruz is home to 97% of the country’s soybean production and 49% of its corn production, which are affected by the The worst drought recorded in the last 30 yearsThe situation has caused a 30% drop in summer soybean production and a 70% drop in winter crops such as corn, wheat, sunflower, sorghum and chia, and is worsening in the face of a climate crisis scenario.
Given this scenario, the president of the Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers (ANAPO), Fernando Romero, stated that the study presented by the UAGRM “shows that the adoption of soybeans with Intacta technology would not only benefit the agricultural sector economically, but would also contribute to the sustainability and protection of the environment, towards a safer and more prosperous future.”
The origins of Intacta
Intact is Monsanto biotechnology, which gives soybean varieties increased yield, reduced production costs and simple management. It was launched in Argentina 18 years after the introduction of RR1 soybeans, the technology is more environmentally friendly, as it allows the use of fewer insecticides to keep the levels of caterpillars low.
Research by the higher education institution in Santa Cruz indicates that the use of Intacta could increase agricultural yield from 2.57 tons per hectare (t/ha) that they produce today with RR soybeans, at 3.29 t/ha, “as long as this technology is accompanied by genetics adapted to our soil and environmental conditions,” according to Llanos.
The study projects that by 2030 National demand will be 955,276 MT, while production with RR soybeans (which are currently used) will reach 3,770,299 MT. Thus, if Intacta soybeans are adopted, Domestic demand would be covered with only 15% of production since there would be a surplus of 5,442,729 MT, whose export value would reach 3.5 billion dollars in foreign currency for the country.
“The scenario for entry into Mercosur It presents us with conditions that we must take advantage of for our exports, through our products with the greatest potential, such as soybeans,” said Llanos.
