Biotech Updates

Socio-Economic Benefits of Bt Cotton in Burkina Faso in Video and Print

January 21, 2011

Burkina Faso is amongst the poorest countries in the world, and cotton is the primary source of income for smallholder farmers. Two-million people make a living from cotton production, which represents 60% of the country's exports. However, it is often ravaged by insects, devastating 90% of the crop. The introduction of Bollgard II®, a GM variety of cotton that expresses the naturally occurring Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has enabled farmers to protect cotton crops from certain target insects and allowed growers to increase both their yield and revenue, while decreasing the use of pesticides by two thirds. Following the second year of large scale planting, farmers are sharing their experiences on the benefits of this technology. 

Access full report at http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Releases/StoryDetailPage.aspx?GUID=b18c6d51-0a27-468e-a3c7-4a360a42ad87.

A video on socio economic benefits of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso is available for viewing at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/video-from-monsanto-europe-available-on-thenewsmarketcom-bt-cotton-allows-for-better-social-and-economic-conditions-in-burkina-faso-113888184.html.