August 18, 2011

Vietnam successfully grows GM corn

The test cultivation of genetically modified (GM) corn in Vietnam's Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has returned good results with higher yield, better quality and anti-pest capacity than normal corn grown in the same conditions.

The information was released at a seminar aimed at improving public awareness of GM corn jointly held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Central Highlands Agro-Forestry Science & Technology Institute (CASTI) and the Dekalb Vietnam Co., Ltd in Buon Ma Thuot City on August 16.

According to CASTI Director Le Ngoc Bau, corn was the first GM crop experimentally grown in Vietnam which may produce up to 10 tonnes per ha, doubling the yield of other corn varieties, with low input costs.

At present, corn is the second most popular crop in Dak Lak province, after coffee, with a total area of 140,000 ha. However, due to natural disasters and diseases, corn productivity only reaches 4-5 tonnes per ha.

Bau said that the growing of GM corn will help farmers reduce production costs and gradually improve their living standards.

It will also help the locality increase crop growing areas and limit material corn imports, he said, adding that Vietnam imports one million tonnes of corn for cattle-feed per year, with most being products from GM corn.

A programme on biotechnological application and development in the agriculture and rural development sector until 2020 had been implemented since 2006.

Vietnam was expected to produce GM corn for cattle feed in 2012, Bau said.

At present, 26 countries worldwide have put GM crops into production for commercial purposes.