Bolivia has officially authorized the use of HB4 biotechnology for genetically modified soybean cultivation, marking a significant step in the country’s agricultural modernization strategy as producers face increasing climate-related risks.

The authorization was announced during Exposoya 2026, organized by the Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y Trigo (Anapo), and allows research institutions and seed companies to formally incorporate the HB4 biotechnology into locally adapted soybean varieties.

According to the Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo Rural y Agua, the biotechnology is intended to improve soybean tolerance to drought and thermal variability, increase productivity per hectare, and strengthen the competitiveness of Bolivia’s agro-export sector. HB4 technology has already been approved in other major soybean-producing countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.