Valuing transgenic drought tolerant canola using real options

Abstract

Building on the application of real options to value research and development (R&D) investment, this paper extends the application to value new canola varieties still being developed using gene technology in Australia. In this study we develop an economic model using real options and Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the ex-ante value of trait technologies under development. The model is applied to empirical field trial data for Australian canola that has been genetically modified to increase its tolerance to drought. The results show that drought tolerant canola is more profitable for farmers than cropping with conventional canola. The results also quantitatively demonstrate why breeding f..