China's push to become global biotechnology leader

Publication: Commodity Online

Date: Monday, September 08, 2008

Via: AgBios

BEIJING: When several countries in the world are scared of looming food crisis, China is taking some key initiatives to ensure food security and ensure people from hunger and poverty,

China plans to use the power of biotechnology to address key food security issues, says

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

He said recently said China would spend an additional $2.9 billion in state support for the development of agricultural biotechnology over the next 15 years. According to a report from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) the move signals China’s intent to use biotechnology as a key means to address food security.

Last week, the Monsanto Co. said it has received regulatory approval to import Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans to China, the largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans. The regulatory approval was seen as welcome news by U.S. soybean producers.

"Last year China purchased more than $4 billion worth of soybeans from the United States, and as the standard of living continues to rise for the Chinese, so will the demand for our soybeans," said Johnny Dodson, a soybean producer from Halls, Tennessee, and first vice-president of the American Soybean Association.

"Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are one of the key technologies that are going to help U.S. farmers meet the world’s growing demand for food, feed and fuel made from U.S. soybeans." Monsanto said the soybeans will be introduced on 1 million to 2 million acres for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial release, followed by a large-scale product launch of 5 million to 6 million acres scheduled for 2010.

A change to permit the planting of biotech food crops (rice, corn and soybeans) could significantly alter Chinese production and rural economy in the coming years, the FAS said. However, concerns still remain about transparency in China’s biotechnology regulatory and approval system and its ability to evolve with this rapidly changing technology.

China is currently the sixth largest producer of biotechnology enhanced plants based on total acreage (3.8 million hectares in 2007). China also is the largest export market for U.S. crops produced with the aid of biotechnology.

The Chinese State Council recently approved a special science and technology fund with up to 20 billion yuan ($ 2.9 billion) for research of new varieties of biotech crops from 2006-20.

Over the years, the Chinese government has been implementing a couple of programs that prioritize the development of biotechnology. The programs cover a wide spectrum in basic research, high-tech development as well as industrialization, which include Basic Research Program, Hi-Tech Research and Development Program, Key S&T Problem Solving Program, Key Science Infrastructure Program, Key Industrial Pilot Program, as well as the establishment of Key Laboratories and Engineering Centers, etc.

Science and education hold the key to a prosperous future. The funding from government for R&D has been increasing continuously during the past over 20 years. We have adopted preferential policies in venture capital and taxation for the research institutes and high-tech companies. Many R&D centers and bases on biotechnology have been set up and more and more scientists with Ph.D. degree are returning home after receiving training in western countries.

There are more than 400 universities, research institutes and companies and a total of over 20,000 scientists and researchers involved in biotechnology.

SOURCE: COMMODITY ONLINE

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