Los transgénicos en la agricultura argentina

This report analyzes the adoption and impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Argentine agriculture from the 1990s to 2003. It details the rapid expansion of glyphosate-tolerant soybean, the regulatory framework managed by CONABIA, and the socio-economic shifts resulting from structural reforms and technological intensification. The document evaluates the distribution of benefits between producers and multinational seed companies, the environmental effects of the 'no-till' (siembra directa) system, and the challenges posed by illegal seed markets ('bolsa blanca').

• Argentina became the second largest producer of GMO crops globally after the United States, primarily driven by the rapid adoption of glyphosate-tolerant soybean. By the 2000/01 campaign, this variety covered over 90% of the soybean area, approximately 9 million hectares.
• The adoption of GMO soybean in Argentina is characterized as a 'win-win' scenario where producers captured the vast majority of gross benefits. In a scenario accounting for illegal seed markets ('bolsa blanca'), producers captured 86.67% of the benefits, while input providers captured 13.33%.
• In contrast to soybean, the benefits of Bt maize and Bt cotton were largely captured by input providers, who took approximately 78.9% and 83.3% of the benefits, respectively. This is attributed to higher seed costs, 'technology fees,' and the nature of the technology as a 'pest insurance' rather than a consistent yield increase.
• The combination of no-till farming (siembra directa) and glyphosate-tolerant soybean created a 'virtuous intensification' that reduced the use of highly toxic herbicides. The adoption of RR soybean led to an 83.3% reduction in Class II toxicity herbicides and a 100% reduction in Class III toxicity herbicides per hectare.
• The agricultural sector experienced a significant increase in direct employment between 1993 and 1999, rising from 782,000 to 966,000 jobs. This growth was largely due to the expansion of 'second-crop' soybean (planted after wheat), which effectively increased the available cultivable land by approximately 3 million hectares in the 1999/2000 campaign.
• The Argentine seed market is plagued by illegal trade, known as 'bolsa blanca,' which is estimated to represent between 35% and 50% of the market. This practice, along with the legal right of farmers to save seeds for their own use under UPOV 1978, has suppressed seed prices and reduced incentives for innovation.
• The National Advisory Commission on Agricultural Biosafety (CONABIA), established in 1991, serves as the technical and scientific body for evaluating the environmental impact of GMOs. While recognized internationally as a useful model, it lacks a strong legal foundation, operating via a secretarial resolution rather than a formal law, which limits its ability to impose sanctions.
• The approval process for GMOs in Argentina includes a market analysis conducted by the National Directorate of Agricultural Markets. Currently, approval is generally contingent on whether the event is already approved in the primary export markets, which the report warns may discourage national R&D for local problems.
• During the 1990s, Argentina's agricultural sector saw a massive increase in primary production, with grains and oilseeds rising from 26 million tons in 1988/89 to over 67 million tons in 2000/01.
• The report identifies a trend of land concentration in the Pampas region. Between 1992 and 1999, the number of farms decreased from 170,000 to 116,000 (a 32% reduction), while the average farm size increased from 243 to 357 hectares.

APA

Trigo, E., Chudnovsky, D., Cap, E., & López, A. (2003). Los transgénicos en la agricultura argentina. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_es.pdf

Chicago

Trigo, Eduardo, Daniel Chudnovsky, Eugenio Cap, and Andrés López. Los transgénicos en la agricultura argentina. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2003. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Trigo |first1=Eduardo |last2=Chudnovsky |first2=Daniel |last3=Cap |first3=Eugenio |last4=López |first4=Andrés |title=Los transgénicos en la agricultura argentina |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2003 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trigo2003los, author = {Trigo, Eduardo and Chudnovsky, Daniel and Cap, Eugenio and López, Andrés}, title = {{Los transgénicos en la agricultura argentina}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2003}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }