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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Brazil
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| Population in thousands (2010) | 195,423 |
| Average life expectancy (2008) | 72 |
| GDP per capita (2008) | $9,840.75 |
| Gross GPD in billions (2008) | $1,920.75 |
| Agriculture's share of GDP (2006) | 5.1% |
| Population below poverty line (2007) | 5.21% |
Brazil
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean along the eastern coast of South America, Brazil has a population of over 195 million (2010). Agriculture employs 20 percent of the country’s population (2003) and accounts for 5.1 percent of the country’s GDP (2006). Brazil’s major agricultural products include soybeans, corn, coffee, wheat, rice, sugarcane, cocoa and citrus. Brazil is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans and has one of the world’s highest soybean yields. In 2008, Brazilian farmers grew biotech soybeans, corn and cotton on a total of 15.8 million hectares, the world’s third largest area of biotech crops. Since adoption, farm income gains from biotech crops have been $2.9 billion. To learn more about Brazil’s agriculture production and the role it plays in feeding, clothing and fueling the world, see the charts below.
