Global Bt cotton production rises
According to reports, the production of biotech cotton is rising rapidly.
AllAfrica.com reports that cotton is now the third-largest biotechnology crop in the world, and that global Bt cotton hectarage has risen from 700,000 hectares in 1996-97 to 14.4 million hectares in 2008-9. It claims Bt cotton’s share of world cotton hectarage grew from 2% to 47% during this period.
However, Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Paul Zakariya told the site that many African countries have conducted field trials but have been unable to begin large-scale production because there is not enough funding. "Commercialisation requires funding and a lot of government support. In Africa, only South Africa and Burkina Faso have commercialised Bt cotton," he said.
Zimbabwe is struggling even to produce conventional cotton because of economic conditions. However, rather than deciding to produce other types of fibre, the Cotton Ginners Association of Zimbabwe is encouraging local producers to produce higher yields in order to increase profits. Some experts believe Bt cotton plants yield more cotton per hectare and reduce production costs.
