Santiago del Solar / Argentinean Farmer
Overview • About Argentina • Sustainability (concept) • Farming technology and GMO’s as part of the system • Conclusions
ARGENTINA China INDIA lion km 2 3.2 2 million 2.78 million km 2 9.6 million km 2 59 mill hectares VS+S 59 mill hectares VS+S 107 mill hectares VS+ S Land ( FAO AEZ) Land ( FAO AEZ) Land ( FAO AEZ ) 40 million People 1314 million People 1280 million People
About Argentina • We plant 30 million hectares. • We produce 96 million tons of grains each year. • Enough to feed 410 million people = The population of USA + Russia.
GMOs In Argentina today Crop Million hectares % GMO Soybeans 18.3 100% Corn 4.3 82% Wheat 4.6 0% Sorghum 1 0% Cotton 0.61 100% Others 1.2 0% Total GMOs 22 75% Total Area 30 Source: Argenbio
Sustainability ( trying to be in balance)
Three pillars for a better agriculture No Till technology Crop Rotation Biotechnology + Pesticides stewardship.
No till !!
No till technology • Better control of soil osion.( Wind& Water erosion) < 90 % . il erosion • Better use of water er . ( We can’t waste soil water!). < 70 % evaporation. • Low cost • Less use of fu fuel < 33 % • Argentina has 80% of its agricultural land planted with this technology. Source: INTA, CREA, AAPRESID
Crop Rotation
Crop Rotation Better natural plague control Less plant diseases Better Carbon balance. Better use of land Diversification of farmers production & Portfolio Season diversification of labor. Quote: “Overall Sustainability”
But…we can’t afford to share our crops with weeds or insects!
GMO’s are needed! • Argentina has a strict process for biotech events approval . ( 3 independent agencies). • Farmers rely on this technology and need it, especially in some regions. • Thanks to GMO’s we are using more friendly chemicals to produce our grains.
Bt Corn & Refuge
Dealing with new problems Glifosate weed resistance
We are using much less chemicals an more friendly ones Relación (DLef/kg) 50.00 46.87 45.00 40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 0.31 0.48 5.00 0.00 1985 1995 2005 Relación (DLef/kg) Source: CREA
Conclusions • Gmo’s are part of a system • On their own, they mean nothing. • They help us to improve our yields, as well to lower the impact of agriculture in our environment. • R&D investment is critical to stay in sustainable balance. • Today’s agriculture is much better that the one we had years ago, yet…………
Better technology and much better Farmers are just around the corner!
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