The Chinese government this week posted its five-year plan for science and technology and, for the first time ever, outlined specific biotech crops to improve efficiency in its agricultural sector.
China will push for the commercialization of genetically modified corn and soybeans over the next five years, according to Reuters.
The country currently embraces genetically modified cotton, but does not allow biotech crops for food products due to negative public perception.
China currently allows the import of biotech soy for livestock consumption, but does not allow it for human consumption.
The newly reported support for Chinese growth of biotech crops comes as the country seeks to change how its farmers grow crops, according to Reuters.
The government is encouraging more crop rotation and a switch from corn to soybeans for many.
China is the world’s largest consumer and importer of soy. According to Reuters, the country is expected to produce 12.5 million tons of soy in 2016-2017 and will import 86 million tons.
Genetically modified soybeans, which are herbicide-resistant and allow farmers to kill weeds without manual labor, are already grown in the United States.