BEIJING, CHINA — China has expanded its roster of gene-edited and genetically modified (GM) high-yield crops available to its farmers, issuing safety certificates for 17 varieties, Reuters reported, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
The ministry approved five gene-edited crop varieties and 12 types of GM crops, as the country continues its drive to reduce reliance on imports and ensure food security.
The approved gene-edited crops include two soybean varieties, and one each of wheat, corn and rice.
The approved varieties include seeds from Beijing-based feed group Dabeinong and China National Seed Group, a subsidiary of Syngenta Group.
China also has authorized the import of an insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant GM soybean variety from the German chemicals firm BASF exclusively as a processing material, the ministry added.
Over the past year, China has increased approvals for higher-yielding GM corn and soybean seeds to raise domestic production and reduce grain imports for its 1.4 billion people.
China set a grain production recordof 706.5 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 1.6% from last year’s output, according to the National Bureau of Statistics data. It also marked the first time the country’s grain harvest topped 700 million tonnes.
