It is likely that the changes will attempt to add value to high volume, currently low value, crops by, for example, changing the properties of the oil produced in oil seed rape or soya. These modifications may well be attractive to consumers. It is likely that crop plants, as well as micro-organisms, will be modified so as to produce pharmaceuticals. An example is Laurical , a low-cost raw material for soaps. Experience in the United States, however, has shown that GMOs can reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
Farmers are able to spray with less herbicide on fewer occasions.
In the future, less fertiliser than is used at present may be necessary. In addition to there being less residue of such chemicals on the crop, the pollution of ground water is commensurately lowered. A recent United Kingdom trial of herbicide tolerant sugar beet has demonstrated that it can stimulate insect populations. Slower ripening could assist transportability and shelf-life. The fundamental issue was, however, how developing countries could access the technology.