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Plant biotechnology stewardship ensures the responsible, sustainable use of biotech crops to manage resistance, protect the environment, and maintain its long-term effectiveness through an integrated pest management (IPM) approach.
Stewardship Definition
Within the plant biotechnology context, stewardship is defined as the responsible introduction and use of biotech-derived products across the entire plant product life cycle, from idea, through development and launch, to discontinuation. Stewardship extends beyond regulatory compliance. It requires a coordinated effort from stakeholders along the product value chain to preserve the efficacy of the introduced biotech trait and ensure that the benefits to sustainable agriculture are realised.
Considering that it takes on average more than a decade and an investment of more than 16 years and an investment of $115 Million to develop a biotech crop, stewardship is critical to ensure that the required controls are in place throughout the biotech product's life cycle to certify its safety and efficacy and also to encourage responsible management and use as a pest management tool.
CropLife SA and its plant biotechnology members are committed to the responsible management and use of plant biotech products as part of the product stewardship life-cycle approach. Stewardship initiatives that support training and outreach on resistance management practices and compliance will be leveraged in partnership with government extension agencies, industry associations and related stakeholder organisations to ensure successful realisation of benefits and minimisation of risks due to plant biotech product utilisation.
Agricultural production has historically endured huge losses due to pests and diseases. With pests having the ability to develop resistance, the long-term utilisation of pest control methods has a limited lifespan. The evolution of resistance to various forms of pest management applications is an ongoing concern for all crop protection users. Resistance is not unique to plant biotechnology, although biotech crops do bring some unique considerations which must be addressed by technology providers and farmers.
Effective resistance management strategies are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of biotech crops. This involves integrated pest management (IPM) practices, refuge requirements, and continuous monitoring of pest populations.
Pest Management
Pests such as Fall Armyworm, Cotton Bollworm and Maize Stem Borers can incur severe damage on their preferred host plants, which is why it is imperative that farmers can identify these pests early to ensure effective management using a range of integrated pest management practices.
Research & Publications
8 Resources Found — explore key research documents on plant biotechnology in South Africa.
8 Resources Found in 1 Category
A comprehensive guide to integrated pest management practices for sustainable agriculture.
Educational videos covering best practices for herbicide tolerance and insect resistance management.
Identification and management strategies for common pests in South African crops.
Advanced identification techniques and monitoring schedules for pest populations.
Practical refuge and rotation guidance for biotech trait resistance management.
How one South African farm implemented the full stewardship life-cycle approach.
A visual breakdown of the biotech product stewardship arch, from discovery to discontinuation.
A stewardship compliance checklist aligned with the GMO Act, 1997.
| Title | Type | Date | Category | Description | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPM Brochure - a document brochure resource | Document | 2024/02/23 | Stewardship | A comprehensive guide to integrated pest management practices for sustainable agriculture. |
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| IPM Videos - HT/IR management practices | Video | 2024/02/23 | Stewardship | Educational videos covering best practices for herbicide tolerance and insect resistance management. |
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| Know Your Pest - Brochure 1 | Document | 2024/02/23 | Stewardship | Identification and management strategies for common pests in South African crops. |
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| Know Your Pest - Brochure 2 | Document | 2024/02/23 | Stewardship | Advanced identification techniques and monitoring schedules for pest populations. |
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| Resistance Management Field Guide | Document | 2023/10/11 | Stewardship | Practical refuge and rotation guidance for biotech trait resistance management. |
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| Stewardship in Practice: A Farmer Case Study | Case Study | 2023/07/19 | Stewardship | How one South African farm implemented the full stewardship life-cycle approach. |
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| The Stewardship Life Cycle | Infographic | 2023/05/03 | Stewardship | A visual breakdown of the biotech product stewardship arch, from discovery to discontinuation. |
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| Compliance Checklist for Biotech Growers | Document | 2023/02/14 | Stewardship | A stewardship compliance checklist aligned with the GMO Act, 1997. |
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