BEIJING, China (Reuters) — China is expected to further expand its trial of the industrial application of genetically modified corn and soybeans, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said recently.
Reuters has reported China would likely plant 660,000 acres of genetically modified corn strains this year as part of a large-scale trial, citing two industry sources with knowledge of the plans.
China has studied GM food crops for decades but has not approved them for commercial release due to opposition. However, the technology has been increasingly supported by the central government amid a national drive for greater self-sufficiency in the country’s key food supplies.
China’s corn fields yield only about 60 percent as much corn on average as in top producer the United States, where GM corn makes up more than 90 percent of the crop.
In addition to the trial of the genetically modified crops, China will stabilize soybean acreage by all means available, the ministry said.
