Adoption of Herbicide Tolerant Soybeans in Argentina: An Economic Analysis

Abstract

The adoption of transgenic Roundup Ready soybeans in Argentina was a very rapid process. After only four years of its introduction in 1996/7 season the adoption rate reached 85% . Gross average margins calculated for soybeans in 2000 indicated that the main advantage of this technology was the more efficient control of weeds, rather than any increase in yields. The authors introduce uncertainty into these calculations by using a stochastic partial budget analysis to show the advantages of no-till RR technology over conventional soybeans.