In 2004, transgenic crops were grown on 81.0 million hectares spread over 17 countries, including India, on six continents, marking a 47 -fold increase in the area since their first commercialization in 1996. This increasing trend will continue in 2005 and in the coming decade. The dominant transgenic traits were insect resistance (IR) with Bt and he rbicide tolerance (HT), either alone or both stacked.The principal transgenic crop was soybean with HR occupying 48.4 m ha followed by corn with IR and also HT plus IR on 19.3 m ha, cotton with IR and also HT plus IR on 9.0 m ha, and canola with HR on 4.3m ha. The USA is the leading country in the commercial cultivation of transgenic crops, accounting for 59% (47.6 m ha) of the total 81 m ha followed by Argentina 20% (16.2 m ha), Canada 6% (5.4 m ha), Brazil 6% (5.0 m ha), China 5% (3.7 m ha), Paraguay 2%(1.2 m ha), India 1% (0.5 m ha) and South Africa 1% (0.5 m ha). In India, the area planted with Bt-cotton in 2002, the first year of introduction, was 29,415 ha. It increased to 86,240 ha in 2003 and to 530,800 ha in 2004. A nationwide survey carried out in 2003 indicated that the Bt-cotton growers in India were able to obtain, on an average, a yield increase by about 29% due to effective control of bollworms, a reduction in chemical sprays by 60% and an increase in net profit by 78% as compared to their n on-Bt counterparts. These benefits were in tune with those obtained in other countries with Bt -cotton and also with other transgenic crops. Further, transgenic crops have proved to be safe and there has not been any untoward incident with regard to safetyor pest resistance so far. Despite their proven safety and benefits, there has been an unending debate and unsubstantiated allegations on the safety and benefits of transgenic crops! This calls for greater efforts towards biotech awareness and education tomobilize wholehearted support for this remarkable technology which has the potential to revolutionize sustainable agriculture and benefit the farmers and consumers alike. The next generation of transgenic products will focus more on nutritional enhancemen t and tolerance to drought, cold and other abiotic stresses. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the large scale commercial cultivation of transgenic crops in multiple countries, an overview is presented on the global adoption, safety and benefits of t hese crops as well as some of the challenges faced.
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