Application of gene transfer technology, gene editing, breakthrough in the field of plant varieties

After more than 10 years of applying genetically modified corn in Vietnam, the socio-economic benefits for corn farmers and the improvement of farmers' farming habits have been proven. Currently, the application of biotechnology and the creation of new crop varieties are expected to create a breakthrough in productivity and quality.

Reducing pest pressure with new corn varieties

According to the CropLife Vietnam Association, genetically modified corn (GM) was introduced and cultivated in Vietnam based on a scientific, advanced and sustainable legal framework and has shown positive impacts after 10 years of cultivation in Vietnam, especially the socio-economic benefits for corn farmers, improving farming habits in a more sustainable direction while helping to promote and maintain domestic corn production, contributing to reducing pressure on importing animal feed.

Vietnam is the second country in Southeast Asia to license the commercialization of GM crops after the Philippines. The Vietnamese government and regulatory agencies have a relatively scientific and advanced framework for the management and evaluation of GM crops.

Prof. Dr. Le Huy Ham, former Director of the Institute of Agricultural Genetics (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), GM corn has brought great benefits to Vietnamese farmers over the past 10 years, helping to solve practical production challenges such as pest control. All GM corn varieties currently in cultivation have traits of pest resistance, corn borer control and fall armyworm prevention.

According to a recent study, GM varieties have higher yields than conventional varieties of the same genotype because the varieties retain the yield potential of the original variety and effectively control pests. Typically, the yield is 30.4% higher and the production cost is reduced by $26.47/ha to $31.30/ha.

GM technology is a major factor in reducing pesticide use. The average pesticide application rate on GM corn was 78% lower (0.08 kg/person/ha) than the average pesticide application rate on non-GM corn (0.36 kg/person/ha). On average, farmers who grow GM corn earn VND4.5-5 million more per hectare than those who grow non-GM corn.

Genetically modified corn varieties currently grown in Vietnam all have insect resistance traits, are effective against corn borers, and prevent fall armyworms. Photo: CLA.

Many statistical reports show that the area of ​​GM corn and the rate of GM corn cultivation compared to traditional hybrid corn have increased gradually each year. According to data compiled by the Seed Trade Association and AgBioInvestor's report, the total area of ​​GM corn cultivation in Vietnam in 2022 is 220,000 hectares, an increase of 21% compared to 2021 and accounting for about 26.5% of the total corn area in the country. The total cumulative area of ​​GM corn cultivation from 2015 to 2022 is more than 700,000 hectares.

As of September 30, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has recognized a total of 31 genetically modified corn varieties, including: 30 corn varieties created from the base varieties recognized under Circular 29 Regulations on silvicultural measures and 1 genetically modified corn variety recognized under the Law on Cultivation and Decree 94 guiding the Law on Cultivation on plant varieties and cultivation.

Preliminary assessment of localities shows that the varieties grow well and are suitable for the crop structure in corn growing areas in our country because the GM corn varieties are similar to the base varieties in typical morphological traits.

In crops and areas with high pressure from Lepidoptera pests (stem borers, corn borers, and flag borers), GM corn varieties showed resistance to the groups of pests that the genetically modified varieties were resistant to. In contrast, in crops and areas without high pressure from pests, GM corn varieties gave average yields that were not significantly higher than those of conventional varieties; the quality of commercial grains was similar to that of conventional varieties.

It is known that companies are still continuing to research, transfer and test new insect-resistant corn varieties in Vietnam. These are all corn varieties that have been evaluated for safety and benefits as well as effective cultivation in some developed countries and Asian countries.

The future of biotech crops

Professor Dr. Le Huy Ham said that currently, new GM crops with new traits or applied to new crops are still being researched, developed and applied to support farmers in increasing productivity, improving the quality of agricultural products and creating abundant food sources for the growing population worldwide.

Some genetically modified crops with increased nutritional content, such as golden rice, are effective solutions to reduce malnutrition in some African countries, where rates of blindness and malnutrition in children are alarming.

In addition, gene editing technology on plants with the outstanding advantage of creating desired traits based on endogenous genes of crops is a new generation biotechnology application solution, with the potential to create crops with improved nutritional characteristics, resistance to adverse conditions and adaptation to climate change.

Biotechnology is still on the rise and is considered the technology of the future. Besides techniques such as genetic modification, gene editing, research units and scientists around the world continue to explore the potential of this technology to create new breeding methods (PBI).

This is considered one of the important solutions of the global agricultural sector in ensuring food security, helping farmers adapt to climate change as well as geopolitical changes in the world.

GM crops were first commercialized in the United States in 1996. Since then, the area under GM crops has grown significantly. In recent years, the growth rate has slowed down as GM crop areas in leading countries have reached a relatively good level. According to statistics from AgBioInvestor and ISAAA, in 2023, 27 countries in the world will be growing GM crops with a total area of ​​approximately 206.3 million hectares, up 1.9% from 2022. Global crop area will increase by 1.9% in 2023, driven by larger areas of corn, soybeans and canola.

Genetic modification is currently most commonly used on major food crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, canola and sugar beets. The two most effective and widely used transgenic traits are insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. Currently, about 73 countries are using genetically modified crop products for food and feed, including 27 European countries.

It is known that in March 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development first issued a license for testing GM crops in Vietnam, with 4 gene transfer events being licensed at the same time during this period. By 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a decision to recognize the results of small-scale and large-scale testing on environmental and biodiversity risk assessment for a number of GM corn events.

In August 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued 4 Certificates of GM organisms qualified for use as food and animal feed for the first 4 events of genetically modified corn.

Also in the period 2014 - early 2015: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment continued to grant Biosafety Certificates to the above 4 events.

March 12, 2015: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a decision to recognize the first GM crop variety integrating licensed GM events – officially marking the first year of GM corn cultivation in Vietnam.

April 6, 2015: GM corn variety was first brought to farmers.

Source: https://danviet.vn/57-trong-nong-nghiep-ung-dung-cong-nghe-chuyen-gen-chinh-sua-gen-su-dot-pha-trong-linh-vuc-giong-cay-trong-20250319142300722.htm