The Adoption of Transgenic Crops in Argentine Agriculture

The document analyzes the rapid expansion of transgenic crops in Argentina, particularly the glyphosate-tolerant (RR) soybean, which grew from less than 1% of soybean area in 1996-1997 to over 90% by 2000-2001. This growth is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic reforms, the adoption of no-till farming, and specific institutional factors that lowered seed costs and prevented patent enforcement. While RR soybeans created a "win-win" scenario of increased production and employment, other transgenic crops like Bt corn and Bt cotton saw limited adoption due to higher costs and technology fees. The report highlights a significant illegal seed market and argues for stronger national biotechnological research and regulatory oversight via CONABIA to ensure future competitiveness and biosafety.

• The adoption of glyphosate-tolerant (RR) soybeans in Argentina was exceptionally rapid, surpassing the growth rate of the United States. The planted area increased from less than 1% of total soybeans in the 19961997 season to more than 90% (approximately nine million hectares) by the 20002001 season.
• The synergy between RR soybeans and no-till (NT) planting practices led to a "virtuous intensification" that increased production while reducing the use of highly toxic herbicides. No-till area grew from 300,000 hectares in 19901991 to over nine million hectares in 20002001.
• Specific institutional and market factors drove the RR soybean's success: the inability of Monsanto to patent the gene in Argentina because it had already been "released," the legality of farmers keeping seeds under the 1978 UPOV Convention, and the prevalence of illegal "white bag" seed operations.
• Unlike soybeans, Bt corn and Bt cotton had limited adoption. Bt corn accounted for 20% of its cultivated area in its third year, and Bt cotton reached only 78.5%. This is attributed to technology fees, patent enforcement, and commercial strategies that restricted farmers' rights to reuse seeds, making them up to four times more expensive than conventional varieties.
• The Argentine seed market suffers from significant illegal trade, estimated at 3550% of the market. This situation was worsened by the dissolution of the National Institute of Seeds (INASE) at the end of 2000, leaving a regulatory void in police power and enforcement.
• The adoption of RR soybeans provided broad economic benefits, with farmers capturing approximately 8287% of the total earned surplus between 1996 and 2001, while providers received 1318%.

APA

Trigo, E., Chudnovsky, D., Cap, E., & López, A. (2003). The Adoption of Transgenic Crops in Argentine Agriculture. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_sum.pdf

Chicago

Trigo, Eduardo, Daniel Chudnovsky, Eugenio Cap, and Andrés López. The Adoption of Transgenic Crops in Argentine Agriculture. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2003. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_sum.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Trigo |first1=Eduardo |last2=Chudnovsky |first2=Daniel |last3=Cap |first3=Eugenio |last4=López |first4=Andrés |title=The Adoption of Transgenic Crops in Argentine Agriculture |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2003 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_sum.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trigo2003adoption, author = {Trigo, Eduardo and Chudnovsky, Daniel and Cap, Eugenio and López, Andrés}, title = {{The Adoption of Transgenic Crops in Argentine Agriculture}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2003}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tkn_transgenic_argentina_sum.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }