Genetically-modified (GM) crops have been planted by farmers across the developing world for over a decade. When GM crops were first released there was a massive debate, with some arguing that they would be a disaster and others acclaiming them as a saviour. IDS research has aimed to take a balanced perspective, exploring what happened on the ground in a number of countries, including India, China, Kenya and Argentina.

The promise that GM crops were going to provide the 'pro-poor' solution to agricultural problems has been challenged, but in some places, for some farmers, with some crops they are offering benefits. IDS research has offered a critical and nuanced perspective often missing from the dominant, polarised debates, exploring in particular the political economy and governance challenges of agricultural biotechnology.