Burkina Faso’s cotton output jumps 60%
01/02/2013
Output rose to from 400,000 tonnes in 2011/2012 to 630,000 tonnes and exceeded the expectations of 532,000 tonnes, the Burkina National Cotton Producers' Union (UNPCB) said.
Burkina Faso, which relies on cotton as one of its major exports, approved the planting of Monsanto's Bt cotton GMO variety in 2008.
"Genetically modified cotton production is experiencing growth every year," said Karim Traore, UNPCB president.
Although an increasing number of farmers are turning to cotton in West Africa, production remains stifled by a lack of agricultural technology and stiff competition from subsidised growers such as in the US.
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