QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS?

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International contends that GM crops, primarily soya, maize, and cotton, fail to increase yields or reduce poverty in developing regions. It asserts that the GM model benefits large-scale industrial farmers through 'convenience' while harming small-scale farmers via high seed costs, land displacement, and increased pesticide use. The document specifically highlights negative outcomes in South America, Africa, India, and China, and disputes claims that GM technology makes food cheaper or is necessary for the livestock industry.

• There is no evidence that GM crops have contributed to the Millennium Development Goals of halving hunger and poverty by 2015, as the primary GM crops in developing countries (soya and cotton) are used for exports to wealthy nations rather than food.
• GM crops have not increased yields compared to conventional crops; specifically, Roundup Ready soya is reported to have a "yield drag" with yields 5-10% lower than conventional soya.
• The expansion of GM soya in South America is linked to reduced food security, deforestation, and increased rural poverty, with 2% of landowners controlling 70% of land in Paraguay.
• In India, the adoption of expensive Bt cotton seeds is cited as a factor exacerbating crippling debt, contributing to 942 documented farmer suicides in 2007.
• GM crops have not reduced pesticide use; glyphosate use on US soybeans increased 15-fold from 1994 to 2005, and Brazilian authorities documented an 80% increase in glyphosate use from 2000 to 2005.
• The global GM crop landscape is highly concentrated, with over 90% of planted area in five countries (US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay) and over 95% of acreage consisting of soya, maize, and cotton.
• The primary benefits of GM crops are limited to large-scale commercial farmers in the US and Argentina through a 'convenience effect' that reduces farm labour.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2008). QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS? https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gmcrops2008Q-A.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS? 2008. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gmcrops2008Q-A.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS? |date=February 2008 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gmcrops2008Q-A.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternational2008questions, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS?}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2008}, month = feb, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gmcrops2008Q-A.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }