LAHORE: The recently approved genetically modified corn seeds might generate an additional economic activity of over Rs100 billion annually due to increase in corn production in the country after the start of cultivation of the new modified corn varieties. “The recent government’s approval for insect-protected and herbicide-tolerant corn is a landmark decision. The corn would not only help boost the productivity of corn but will also enhance the confidence of responsible technology providing companies, both local and foreign, to make further investment in Pakistan’s under-performing agricultural sector,” said Dr Muhammad Afzal, the executive director of Croplife Pakistan while talking to newsmen on Monday. Monsanto Pakistan head Aamir Mehmood Mirza and chief of regulatory affairs were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, CropLife executive director said that the decision for using genetically modified corn was taken after a rigorous process of over seven years. “It involved extensive regulatory assessments which reaffirmed the safety of a technology that has been successfully grown alongside other crops globally for 20 years. The approval process involved monitoring of field trials and evaluation of risk assessments submissions by designated committees of the government as required by the country’s bio-safety laws,” he added. Dr Afzal said it is encouraging to see that the present political leadership in Pakistan supports a proven technology to improve the country’s food security and economic development. “The use of genetically modified seeds has ensured that Pakistan’s farmers won’t be left behind as more countries across Asia are turning to technology to feed their growing populations and improve farmer livelihoods. Almost all of the corn, soybeans, canola and cotton varieties planted worldwide are demonstrating the value that farmers continue to see in the technology even during tough seasons,” he said. “We should continue to use all the tools at our disposal, including biotechnology to improve farmers’ lives and to ensure we meet the community’s expectations of producing quality food and fibre in a safe and sustainable way,” he stressed. “Farmers globally have embraced the genetically modified crops faster than nearly any other technology because it allows them to produce more using fewer resources. A new report reveals that 2 billion hectares of the modified crops have been grown globally since its introduction in 1996 which has increased farmer income worldwide by an extraordinary $150 billion over this time,” Dr Afzal added. However, he maintained Pakistan needs coherent policies and a clear implementation strategy to adapt agricultural biotechnology, with a focus on crops which require less water, fewer fertilizers, less pesticides and yield more to feed the growing population as well as to provide raw material for high value exports.