Facts & Figures
A growing body of evidence suggests that biotechnology is helping agriculture enter a new era of efficiency and sustainability. In the hands of farmers, better seeds are helping the world grow more, while using less. Researchers around the world, in both the public and private sectors, are working to improve seeds through the use of advanced breeding and biotechnology. Together with better farming techniques, these advanced seeds can help farmers meet the world's demand for food, clothing and fuel while also helping to reducing the need for water, land, pesticides and fossil fuels. In this month's Spotlight, we'll highlight the findings of a new report on the status of biotech crops, and discuss their role in meeting our growing global challenges.
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Australia
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| Population in thousands (2010) | 21,512 |
| Average life expectancy (2008) | 82 |
| GDP per capita (2008) | $37,822.70 |
| Gross GPD in billions (2008) | $792.41 |
| Agriculture's share of GDP (2005) | 3.1% |
Australia
Australia, a continent located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific, has a population of about 21 million (2010). Agriculture employs 3.6 percent of the country’s population (2005) and accounts for 3.1 percent of the country’s GDP (2005). Australia is one of the world’s key agricultural producers: it has the world’s highest cotton yield and one of the world’s top ten corn yields. Other major agricultural products include wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle and sheep. Australian farmers grow biotech cotton and canola. Since adoption, farm income gains from biotech crops have been $169 million. To learn more about Australia’s agriculture production and the role it plays in feeding, clothing and fueling the world, see the charts below.
