Farmers are free to make their own decisions.
GM crops are grown around the world by approximately 17+ million farmers, most of them in developing countries. In total, more than 70 countries import or grow GMOs. Farmers are able to choose what seeds they grow and often determine what is best for their farms, the local community and what the current market needs are that match the landscape. Farmers also look for ways to grow crops using resources more efficiently and with less impact on the environment.
Lawson Mozley, a sixth-generation Florida farmer and cattle producer, uses GMO crops to help reduce his production costs and improve favorable traits for herbicide and insect resistance. As with Mr. Mozley, farmers across the globe continue to choose GMO crops to support the reduction of agriculture’s impact on their local environment and protect the land for future generations. Over the last 20 years, GMOs have helped to reduce pesticide applications by 8.1 percent and increase crop yields by 22 percent.