South African farmers who have been early adopters of genetically modified (GM) seed technology are in the fortunate position of not only having access to the best seed technology available, but also of benefit from the widespread use of GM insect-resistant (IR) and herbicide-tolerant (HT) traits.

For farmers, indirect advantages of adopting this technology include increased crop yields due to reduced crop losses and damage, higher farmer incomes and livelihoods, the use of fewer resources, and greater flexibility in managing weeds and pests.

Although evidence so far indicates that smallholder users of the technology have also reaped similar advantages, this success does not apply equally to smallholder farmers in every region of South Africa.

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There are cost benefits for farmers using biotech crops. “Farmers planting biotech crops realise good yields. Their operations cost far less than those who are using conventional methods; that’s where we talk about the costs of labour compared to conventional costs,” says [Mega Biotech Solutions’ Lesley] Mabasa.

“Essentially, it is up to farmers to adopt the technology. The aim is to empower farmers and not to impose.”

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