Corn and soybean farmers in Latin America are now one step closer to planting improved next-generation technologies to support the world’s growing demands for food and feed. Monsanto Co. has secured two new approvals in Latin America: Genuity VT Triple PRO corn in Argentina and Bt Roundup Ready 2 Yield (BtRR2Y) soybeans in Brazil.
“These approvals are great news for our farmer customers in Brazil and Argentina,” says Brett Begemann, executive vice president – seeds & traits for Monsanto. “It’s a promising recognition of technology’s contribution to agriculture in helping to meet the world’s growing grain demands more sustainably.”
In Argentina, the company has received full regulatory approval for Genuity VT Triple PRO corn, which represents the first Genuity trait launched from Monsanto’s pipeline in South America. Genuity VT Triple PRO corn provides a broader spectrum of insect control for below-and above-ground insects, resulting in higher yield potential and better crop stability. It is the industry’s first dual mode-of-action above-ground insect protection in corn, stacked with below ground insect protection and Roundup Ready 2 technology. The next and last step prior to commercialization is hybrid registration, which the company expects to complete this month.
In Brazil, Monsanto also has received full regulatory approval for insect-protected and glyphosate-tolerant BtRR2Y soybeans from the National Technical Biosafety Committee (CTNBio). The BtRR2Y soybean represents the first trait the company has developed specifically for a market outside the United States and the only soybean to combine Bt insect-protection technology with herbicide tolerance, which together provide a higher yield opportunity. BtRR2Y soybeans will be introduced in Brazil after import approvals in important markets are secured.
Both products bring together sustainable agricultural practices with the benefits of the reduced use of insecticides, while increasing production without expanding the area farmed. The Roundup Ready system supports sustainable agricultural practices such as no-till planting that reduce erosion and soil compacting while conserving fuel, which can lead to a significant reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide.
Latin America is a key growth market for Monsanto. More traits are becoming available in Brazil, and Argentina continues to see an uptick in acreage as growers upgrade to new technologies. The two markets are expected to serve as platforms to support the growing demands for grain and protein from global markets including China.