Burkina Faso, Cotton and GMOs

[Onyango Oloo]

Dadjan Wassinatou, 34, holds a basket of freshly harvested cotton in the village of Zorro, Burkina Faso


EXCERPT:

In 2003, Burkina Faso became one of the first African countries to begin field trials of Bt cotton. This was done in partnership with the agriculture company Monsanto. Bt refers to a toxin – Bacillus thuringiensis – that kills one of the world’s most common and pernicious cotton pests, the bollworm. Monsanto agreed to backcross the Bt gene onto local Burkinabè varieties, which were subsequently released to farmers in 2008.

Burkina Faso’s adoption of Bt cotton made big news. Not only is Burkina Faso consistently one of Africa’s largest cotton producers, but cotton is also seen as the engine driving rural development throughout large parts of the country.

The introduction of Bt cotton has reportedly boosted total cotton production. In 2014, Burkina Faso had the largest number of total GM crop producers on the African continent. It has more than 140,000 smallholder farmers cultivating Bt cotton.

Burkina Faso’s success story has been celebrated as an example of how GM crops can help poor farmers. Many farmers have enthusiastically adopted the technology, and for good reason. Studies show that Bt cotton has increased yields and profits. The average Bt cotton farming family gained 50% more profit than from conventional cotton. This is despite the very high cost of Bt cotton seed.

Bt cotton growers also use significantly less pesticide. The total number of sprayings has gone down from six to two, reducing exposure of damaging chemicals and saving valuable labour time.

NOW READ THE FULL ARTICLE:

africanarguments.org/2016/02/05/why-africas-biggest-adopter-of-gm-crops-changed-its-mind/

[Onyango Oloo]

africanarguments.org/2015/10/07/beware-the-green-revolution/

[podp]

Feb 15, 2016 11:24:58 GMT 3 Onyango Oloo said:

The introduction of Bt cotton has reportedly boosted total cotton production. In 2014, Burkina Faso had the largest number of total GM crop producers on the African continent. It has more than 140,000 smallholder farmers cultivating Bt cotton.

Burkina Faso’s success story has been celebrated as an example of how GM crops can help poor farmers. Many farmers have enthusiastically adopted the technology, and for good reason. Studies show that Bt cotton has increased yields and profits. The average Bt cotton farming family gained 50% more profit than from conventional cotton. This is despite the very high cost of Bt cotton seed.
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in Kenya bt maize is to be planted already tried successfully

Following these results, KALRO and AATF have made an application to the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), for commercial release of the WEMA Bt maize to the farming communities and consumers to contribute to enhancing food security in the country. This WEMA Bt maize variety which has been developed through
biotechnology,.... Our top priority as an institution is to see continued growth of the agriculture sector that is a key contributor to the national vision of a food-secured nation.

AATF and Kalro launched scientific trials after socio-economic studies showed the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus) and the African Stem Borer (Busseola fusca) wreaked havoc across maize plantations, causing smallholder farmers a Sh9 billion loss, equivalent to 400,000 bags of maize, which then forced the government to import the staple.

allafrica.com/stories/201602140293.html