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The National Biotechnology Authority yesterday told Parliament to push for a genetically modified variety of cotton crop to improve declining output. Commonly known as Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis), the crop produces insecticidal proteins and toxins that reduce the amount of cotton lost to insects.

National Biotechnology Authority registrar and chief executive officer Dr Jonathan Mufandaedza told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation that the country should adopt production of Bt cotton, a variety that is pest resistant and produces improved yields.

“Documentary evidence shows that it increases the yield by 24 percent,” he said.
“It is a type of cotton that has been improved by this technology to fight against pests. Cotton is affected by pests the whole world so the gene which they have put fights against pests,” he said.

About 15 countries have so far adopted the production of Bt cotton and those who are growing it like Burkina Faso and India report low use of chemicals, less time and labour on weeding and cultivation.

It results in reduction of pesticides spray from about ten to fifteen times down to two times per season.
Dr Mufandaedza said the local cotton industry was reeling because of high production costs yet financial returns were low, hence adoption of Bt cotton would solve some of the challenges and increase yields.

“If the government decides to adopt Bt cotton, we are a competent authority to regulate such technology,” he said.
He said adopting Bt cotton would also reduce human health problems associated with pesticides.

“The issue of chemicals has to be emphasised here, because EMA (the Environmental Management Authority) is particular about polluting the environment.”

“Our farmers are really at the mercy of these chemicals. If we were to adopt this technology it means protecting farmers as well,” he said.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Authority cotton production dwindled from 283 000 hectares in 2012 to 125 000 hectares because production costs were high while market prices were low.

As a result, many farmers were shifting from cotton to other cash crops like tobacco.
The University of California San Diego explains the benefits of growing Bt cotton to include a reduced cost per acre of between $25 and $65 in the years of 1996 to 1998 from the spraying of insecticides. – New Ziana.