When Brazil passed its first biosafety law in 1995, few could have predicted just how profoundly biotechnology would transform the country’s agricultural sector. Today, Brazil is not just feeding its people—it’s helping to feed the world.
Thanks to decades of investment in science and a robust regulatory system, Brazil now ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of key crops like soybeans, corn, and cotton. And at the heart of this transformation is the widespread adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
According to a recent report titled “25 Years of GMO in the Field”, by Catharina Pires of CropLife Brazil, the adoption rate for GM crops in the country is staggering—97% for soybeans, 99% for cotton, and 99% for corn. These figures underscore how fully the country has embraced the technology to improve productivity and sustainability.
Catharina spoke on the introduction to the adoption of biotech crops in Brazil during the ABNE Biotechnology and Biosafety Global Virtual Study Tour of Brazil, Argentina, India, and Bangladesh, organized by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Michigan State University between March 24 and 27, 2025.
A long road to regulation
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. While the 1995 Biosafety Law (Law No. 8,974) was a pioneering step, it initially clashed with Brazil’s environmental legislation, creating legal uncertainty that slowed biotech innovation. That changed in 2005 with the enactment of a reformed biosafety law—Law No. 11,105—which harmonized regulations and empowered the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio).
CTNBio, made up of experts across health, agriculture, environment, and multiple government ministries, became the central authority in assessing GMO safety. Since then, it has approved 154 biotech plant varieties, including 78 types of GM corn, 29 soybeans, 26 cotton, 11 eucalyptus, 7 sugarcane, and even 1 variety each of beans and wheat.
Environmental and economic impacts
Beyond boosting yields, the adoption of GMOs in Brazil has delivered measurable environmental benefits. Improved crop resilience means fewer pesticide applications and more efficient land use, helping to preserve Brazil’s rich biodiversity.
“Biotechnology has allowed for more sustainable practices, enabling us to produce more with less impact,” said Pires.
And the numbers speak for themselves:
- #1 in global soybean production and exports
- #1 in cotton production and exports
- #3 in corn production and #1 in corn exports
…Sets global benchmark in agricultural biotechnology
Also speaking in a presentation titled “Innovation and Biotechnology in Brazilian Agriculture”, Dr. Alexandre Nepomuceno, General Head of Embrapa Soybean, highlighted the country’s remarkable progress in genetically modified (GM) crop development and biosafety regulation.
Over the past three decades, Brazil’s grain production has surged by 904%, while the area under cultivation increased by just 352%, thanks to advances in biotechnology and more efficient farming practices. This productivity boom has allowed the country to spare approximately 54 million hectares of land, preserving natural ecosystems.
It has also solidified Brazil’s fast solidifying position as a global leader in agricultural biotechnology, leveraging cutting-edge innovations to drive record productivity and sustainability.
For example, since the introduction of the Biosafety Law in 2005 and the strengthening of CTNBio—Brazil’s Biosafety Technical Commission—more than 280 GMOs have been approved for commercial use. These include drought-tolerant soybeans, virus-resistant beans, and pest-resistant corn and cotton.
Notably, Brazil was the first country to approve a genetically modified tree (eucalyptus) for commercial planting and is pioneering genome editing in agriculture. Several genome-edited crops, such as sugarcane and potatoes, have already been approved as non-GM by CTNBio.
The country’s biotech strides have also led to significant environmental gains, including a 70% adoption rate of no-tillage farming, reduced pesticide use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, saving up to 70 million tons of CO₂ and 10.4 billion liters of water in just five years.
As Brazil continues to innovate with RNA interference (RNAi) technologies and genome-edited livestock, its experience offers valuable lessons for countries looking to modernize agriculture sustainably.
Beyond the farm
The benefits of biotechnology aren’t limited to agriculture. Brazil has also seen advancements in healthcare, with biotechnological tools playing a role in the development of vaccines, medicines, and gene therapies.
Looking ahead, Brazil’s biotechnology journey is far from over. As countries grapple with the twin challenges of climate change and food security, Brazil offers a compelling example of how science, when embraced with vision and responsibility, can reshape not just farms, but futures.
Abdallah is a multiple award-winning agric journalist and President of the Pan African Agricultural Journalists (PAAJ). He is the Editor-in-Chief of agriculture-focused ASHENEWS.
