GM crops:an aid in the fight against poverty?
Posted on July 9, 2009
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An farmer sifts dust out of harvested wheat in Afghanistan. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
Salty soils affect the growth of plants worldwide, particularly in irrigated land where one-third of the world’s food is produced. It is estimated that one-fifth of irrigated land is salt-affected. And it is a problem that is only going to get worse as pressure to use more water increases and the quality of water decreases. Helping plants to withstand this salty onslaught would have a significant impact on world food production.
Salt in the soil also affects dryland agriculture, particularly in semi-arid regions of the world, such as in the Middle East, Kazakhstan and Australia. 70% of Australia’s wheat crop is affected by salt that is found as much a metre beneath the surface – this is important, as Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/jul/08/gm-crops-povery
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