Biotech Updates

2011 Francophone West Africa Biotechnology Report

September 30, 2011

A Biotechnology Update in Francophone West Africa was reported in the recent US GAIN Report. Most West African countries were reported to have ratified the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety; however, only Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana and Nigeria have functioning legislation allowing field trials of GM products. Bt cotton production in Burkina Faso increased from 16 percent in marketing year 2009/10 to 66 percent in 2010/11. Nigeria has started the confined field trials of Bt cowpea and Burkina Faso will start a similar activity soon. Bt cowpea is expected to become the next GM crop in West Africa that will help farmers increase their incomes by reducing pesticide use and improving productivity.

http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Agricultural%20Biotechnology%20Annual_Dakar_Senegal_7-22-2011.pdf