Final answer:
Biotech crops help farmers lower operating costs through decreased pesticide use thanks to pest resistance and herbicide tolerance traits engineered into these crops.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biotech crops, including transgenic crops, have indeed been developed to help farmers reduce operating costs by minimizing the use of synthetic pesticides. This is because transgenic crops are engineered to possess specific traits, such as pest resistance and herbicide tolerance, which in turn make pest control and weed management more effective and less reliant on chemical interventions. For instance, the introduction of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) crops has led to a significant decrease in insecticide use, and crops that are tolerant to specific herbicides allow for the use of safer, fast-degrading herbicides that pose little risk to the environment and non-target species.