Bt Cotton Trials in Ghana Show Positive Results

Confined field trials of Bt cotton in Northern Ghana show positive results, according to scientist Dr. Emmanuel Chamba from the Yam and Cotton Breeding Program of the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI).

The Bt cotton field trials were conducted at six locations in three northern regions of Ghana. Bt cotton plants were grown alongside non-Bt cotton plants. The non-Bt cotton plants were sprayed with insecticide six times, while the Bt cotton plants were sprayed only twice. With the positive results, these indicate that Bt cotton could help farmers decrease their insecticide use, and incur costs, time, and labor savings. Furthermore, farmers will be less exposed to toxic chemicals, reducing risks to their health and to the environment.

"The farmers are eager for the seeds to plant because of the high yields and the cost-effectiveness involved, but ours is to do the investigations and present the findings to the National Biosafety Authority for advice on the way forward," Dr. Chamba said. Although the confined field trials showed positive results, necessary procedures are still needed to accomplish before Bt cotton will be commercialized in the country.

Read the original article from Biosciences for Farming in Africa.