The amount of global farmland used to grow genetically modified (GM) crops increased 10% last year, with the United States remaining the largest zone for the biotech produce.

BEIJING, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, ISAAA predicted biotech crops were poised for a new wave of growth. Substantial gains have already been made in 2009 that are starting to bring that prediction to fruition.

A biotech group said on Wednesday that genetically modified crops enjoyed a bumper year in 2008, with an additional 10.7 million hectares planted globally and growth prospects set to expand rapidly.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb.

WRITER and broadcaster Clive James is to be the presenter of this year's Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards, it has been announced.