April 6, 2023

Chinese seed companies say GM corn crops may only be planted in 2024

Major Chinese seed companies said they may have to wait until 2024 before the government gives the green light for mass plantation of GM (genetically modified) corn, South China Morning Post reported.

Despite a significant push for food security and calls to revitalise the seed industry, the Chinese government has not given a clear timeline for GM corn to be planted this year.

The companies still called for investment and predicted that corn grown with GM technology would capture 90% of the market in five years.

Ma Dehua, president of Yuan Longping High-Tech Agri, one of China's leading seed companies, said the Chinese government is taking a cautious approach and wants to take one step at a time.

He said that more pilot programmes would be conducted in the country's northeast and southwest this year.

-      South China Morning Post