Suffering from a shortage of global grain supply, supply chain breakdowns and climate problems, China has decided to "embrace" transgenic soybeans once and for all to increase its domestic production. To this end, an important step was taken by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which released its "National Gm Soybean Variety Certification Standard (Test)" last June, aiming to expedite the release of new genetically modified technologies.

According to the Chinese portal AgroPages, which specializes in insum and biotechnology, this document determines technical examinations and serves as a detailed measure of variety certification. The new measures and standards for commercial approval of GM seeds are projected to take effect effectively in 2023.

"If GM soybeans are planted, oilseed yield will increase. Data show that u.S. soybean unit yield in 2021 was 461 kg/mu (1 mu = 1/15 hectare), which is approximately 100 kg/mu higher than soybean sums in northeastern China and 40-60 kg/mu higher than soybeans in southern China. In addition, u.S. soybean unit yield swells year-on-year. From 1993 to the present, the annual growth rate of unit income was 1.639%. Therefore, if GM soybeans are planted, total soybean production will increase," agropages says.

According to the Chinese, GM soybeans have an "obvious advantage in consumption". Since 2015, soybean pressing in China has stabilized at a volume above 80 million tons. Even in the worst year of 2019, the year of severe African swine fever, China's soybean pressing volume was above 80 million tons, revealing China's strong demand for soybeans. 

According to data from the Mysteel Agricultural Products Team, China's soybean pressing volume was 75.5025 million tons in 2015, 81.3925 million tonnes in 2016, 88.1173 million tonnes in 2017, 86.1218 million tonnes in 2018, 81.7107 million tonnes in 2019, 92.2988 million tonnes in 2020 and about 90.10 million tons in 2021.

"There is a great demand for transgenic soybeans in China. Encouraging the planting of transgenic soybeans will facilitate the increase of soybean productivity and, at the same time, the profitability of the producer. For example, if the promotion of GM soybean seeds accelerates, the proportion of soybean and corn planting can be redistributed," agropages points out.

"As for the intention of farmers in southern China to grow transgenic soybeans, about 60% are willing to plant; 15% do not assume any position; about 25% are unwilling to plant. In general, farmers in southern China have an open attitude towards planting transgenic soybeans," they conclude.

Source: Agrolink