Agriculture + Nutrition

A Decade of Growth: Agricultural Biotechnology in Canada

Innovation in the agrifood sector has never been more important than today. A growing global population, the impact of a changing climate on crop growth and increased consumer concerns about food safety, health and nutrition present new challenges demanding innovative solutions.

Canadian agricultural biotechnology scientists and entrepreneurs are providing technologies and products that address these challenges.  To read more about our industry, read our brochure.

Biotechnology in Canadian agriculture

For over 10 years, Canadian farmers have been choosing to plant biotech crops.

Worldwide genetically modified crops are now planted on over one billion acres  in 25 countries. In 2005, the rice genome was mapped, and projects to sequence soybean, corn, cattle and pig genomes were announced. As scientists continue to increase their understanding and knowledge of plants through genome sequencing projects we will see continued improvements in yield and quality of food crops, including enhanced disease and insect resistance and improved performance under drought, saline or heat-stressed conditions.

Economic Benefits - Canola growers have chosen to grow biotech varieties on over 70% of Canada's 12 million canola acres. Herbicide-tolerant varieties allow farmers to plant earlier in the springtime and control weeds better, meaning greater yields. GM canola varieties have allowed farmers to save an estimated 8.2 million gallons of fuel and earned, on average, $10 more per acre. (Canola Council of Canada)

Cleaner Environment - Insect-resistant GM crops protect themselves from pests and do not require insecticide sprays. Worldwide, over 100 million pounds of insecticides are not sprayed because of GM crops. The adoption of herbicide tolerant crops has resulted in greater adoption of low and no-till farming systems, saving millions of acres from soil erosion.

Healthier Foods - Increased yields and less exposure to harmful toxins are a few of the well documented benefits of growing insect-resistant GM crops. In the future, consumers will be able to choose fruits and vegetables that stay fresh longer and grains that contain essential micronutrients or healthier oils.

Food Security - Biotechnology is helping to develop crop varieties that will provide high yields under drought or poor soil conditions. Canadian researchers have identified a gene that controls how plants minimize water loss in hot temperatures, an important step toward improving food security around the world.