Brazilian farmers are rapidly switching to genetically modified seeds to grow soybeans and other crops, making their the country with the highest conversion rate to biotech crops for the third consecutive year in 2011, according to an industry-supported group's annual report released Tuesday.

"With such large growth in Brazil, global leaders are recognizing the country as an engine for world-wide growth," said the group International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, or ISAAA.

Brazil planted about 75 million acres with genetically modified seeds last year, the group said, making it the third year the country has seen use rise by 20%.

The ISAAA is a U.S.-based group that receives funding from a wide variety of interests, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, Monsanto Co. (MON), CropLife International, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and others.

The U.S. is still the largest producer of genetically modified crops. American farmers planted about 171 million acres of genetically modified soybeans, corn, cotton, canola and other crops, ISAAA said.

The group said 395 million acres of farm land in 29 countries were planted with genetically modified crops last year, an 8% increase from 2010. That's a dip from the 10% growth in 2010.

-By Bill Tomson, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-646-0088; bill.tomson@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 07, 2012 16:53 ET (21:53 GMT)