Seeing is Believing Bt Cotton Study Tour to Burkina Faso

1. Seeing is Believing Bt Cotton Study Tour to Burkina Faso By G.K Nzuva Chairman, Central Agricultural Board 14-18 November 2011

2. Purpose and objectives of the Tour Purpose To share lessons and experiences and expose participants to the commercialization process of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso- the 2nd country to adopt Bt cotton in Africa Objectives • To expose participants to responsible and safe use of the technology throughout its life cycle • To expose participants to Burkina Faso’s regulatory system and government policy on biotechnology • To enlighten participants about the commercialization process of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso • To share lessons and experiences

3. Organization of the tour • The study was organized, facilitated and conducted by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA ) in collaboration with local institutions in Burkina Faso • Sponsors: ACTESA/COMESA and the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS) • The scope of the tour : • tours to farmers fields • workshop deliberations • visit to seed multiplication centre • media interviews

4. Tour participants • The tour involved about 30 participants drawn from the following countries • Northern Sudan • Ethiopia • Uganda • Kenya • Malawi • Zambia • Zimbabwe • Burkina Faso (hosts) • The above countries are at different levels of considering introduction and adoption of Bt cotton

5. Background Information- Burkina- 1 • Burkina Faso is a land locked Francophone country in West Africa • Area :274, 000 square KM • Population:15.7 million people • Density:57 people per square KM • Most of the country is ASAL with one rainfall season from May to October Regions for the study were - Ouagadougou - Boni - Bobo

6. Background Information- Burkina -2 • Average rainfall is about 700mm per year with a range of 400-1200mm • The country is divided into 13 administrative regions and 45 provinces. • Cotton is the most important crop (white gold) representing 60% of the country’s export earnings • Other crops include- sorghum, maize, groundnuts, peanut, millet, cowpeas, simsim, fruits and vegetables

7. What led to adoption of Bt cotton- Burkina Faso Experience-1 According to Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) • Cotton is the 2nd most important export crop in the country • Over 2.2 million people earn livelihoods from cotton • Cotton bollworm can cause up to 90% yield losses • Bollworms feed on leaves and cotton bolls • The larvae stage of the bollworm is the most destructive

8. Life Cycle of the Bollworm Eggs Adult Cycle cycle : 25–30 days Larvae Pupa

9. What led to adoption of Bt cotton- Burkina Faso Experience-2 • Other destructive insects include stainers and jassids • In 1980s and 90s there was continuous use of pesticides such as organophosphates, carbonates, pyrethroids and neocotinides • The continuous use over 10 years led to serious insect resistance • As a result national loss of income from cotton was to the tune of US$ 500 million and solutions had to be found

10. Process of introducing Bt cotton • Introduction of Bt cotton was in the country’ s strategic plan since 1992 • Various stakeholders including input suppliers, oil millers, scientists/researchers, regulators policy makers, NGOs and Monsanto among others were engaged • Application to introduce Bt cotton was submitted to the biosafety authorities in 2003

11. Process of introducing Bt cotton • Bt cotton was introduced for trials in June 2003 after approval by biosafety authorities • In 2003 and 2004 research was conducted using American varieties of the Bt cotton • Due to fear of unknown physical barriers were erected around trials • People believed in myths about bt cotton(Barrenness, animals to dying for feeding on cotton leaves…)

12. Btcotton confinement site in 2003 Essai Bt Trappe à pollen = Bande de 15 m conv. Allée (2 m) In 2004 barriers were removed after continuous education and sensitization

13. Process of introducing Bt cotton • In 2006 Bt gene was inserted into the local varieties grown by farmers in Burkina Faso • In 2007- demonstration trials were undertaken on farmers’ fields • Compliance with biosafety- trials were conducted in compliance with national biosafety guidelines. Residues were harvested and burnt under supervision of legal experts • In 2008-8500 hectares of Bollgard II were planted for seed production • In 2009- farmers planted 128, 000 hectares • In 2010- farmers planted 278 000 hectares (117% ↑from 2009)

14. How production of Bt cotton is supported • SOFITEX-Largest ( quasi government cotton company ) • SOFITEX provides farmers with seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and other inputs through arrangements with financial institutions • SOFITEX buys cotton from farmers and pays them after recovering production costs • Faso cotton and Socoma- are other companies which have been bulking seeds for farmers, providing inputs and buying cotton • BENEFIT SHARING RATIOS- Farmers receive 60% of the benefits, Monsanto 28% and research and seed companies get 12%

15. What scientists in Burkina Faso have found • Adoption of Bt cotton has increased yields by 12.5%- 23% • Positive impact on biodiversity- non-target pests are more prevalent in Bt cotton than conventional fields • Gene flow cannot go beyond 25 metres • After trials and commercialization in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 efficacy and strength of the gene on the Bollworm is evident

16. What scientists in Burkina Faso have found • INERA is currently doing post commercialization research on • Effects of non-target organisms on production (such as stainers and jassids) • Effects of Bt toxins on non-target organisms such as rats, bees, termites, mosquitoes etc • RESULTS • Bees in Bt cotton fields produce more honey than those in conventional fields • Bt cotton cake feed to rats recorded no toxicity at 3000Mg/kg • The quantity of oil extracted from Bt cotton and conventional is the same

17. Research on Bees and honey production by INERA Bee hiveimportedfrom Kenya

18. FIELD VISITS AND TESTIMONIES FROM FARMERS Participants visited farms in Boni on the way to Bobo and within Bobo-Dioulasso in Western BF(the major cotton production zone) Participants interviewed 5 farmers and interacted with about 20 farmers in total

19. According to farmers • Family land sizes ranges from 10-150 hectares • On average farmers plant between 3-30 hectares of cotton • They have planted conventional cotton for many years • They prepare land using oxen and tractors • Majority of farmers have planted Bt cotton for the last 2-3 years

20. According to farmers • Price for Btcotton seed is 27,000 CFA (US$ 59) per hectare while conventional cotton is priced at 4889 CFA (US$11) • Farmers sell a kilogram of cotton at 245 CFA (US$ 0.50) • Market prices are determined by farmer organizations and seed companies including SOFITEX

21. Benefits of Bt cotton- Farmers’ perspective • The yields of Bt cotton averages 1.3-1.5 tonnes per hectare while conventional yields 0.5 tons/hectare • Even with late planting and years of acute drought, Bt cotton yields are good • Farmers that have planted Bt cotton do not experience flower fall in early stages of the crop • Farmers get disappointed when there is a shortage of Bt cotton seeds • Bt cotton is sprayed 2 times in a season compared to 6-8 sprays for conventional cotton-Time gain invested in growing other crops-according to farmers, less exposure to chemicals, translates in better health

22. Comparison of Conventional cotton and Bt cotton farm in BONI Burkina Fas0 Conventional cotton Bt cotton

23. Btcottonisless labour intensive

24. Btcottonreduceshealthrisksassociatedwithspraying

25. Participants interaction with farmers growing Bt cotton in Boni and Bobo

26. Visit to Bt cotton farms and interaction with farmers • Farmers prepare land using oxen and tractors • Farmers have planted conventional cotton for many years • On average farmers plant between 3-30 hectares of cotton • Size of family land ranges from 10-150 hectares • Farmers allocate 60% of the farm under cotton and 40% under various crops • Majority of farmers have planted Bt cotton for 2-3 years • The yield of Bt cotton is on average 1300-1500 kg/hectare while conventional on average yields 500kg/hectare • Even with late planting and years of acute drought, yields are good

27. Interaction with farmers in Boni

28. Interviews with farmers in Bobo Growingconventionalcottonis labour intensive 6-8 sprays in a season

29. How farmers utilize income from Bt cotton • Education for children • Purchase of oxen • Buying of inputs such as fertilizers for other crops like maize • Purchase of tractors for farmers with higher acreages • Purchase of beef cattle for fattening • Investment in motor bikes :major form of transport in the country

30. What farmers want policy makers to do • More training for farmer groups • Enhanced crop husbandry and extension services • Higher price per kg • Lower cost of inputs

31. Implications for Kenya as move towards commercialization of Bt cotton • The need for good stewardship programmes to manage issues such as gene flow • The status of other pests as we manage the bollworm ? • Role of ginneries who buy cotton from everywhere across the cotton belts and also import from outside the country? • Efficient seed production and delivery systems are crucial • Agricultural credit arrangements necessary to support adoption • The cost of Bt cotton seed is relatively high and this needs to be addressed early enough

32. Take home messages • Bt cotton technology can have a tremendous impact on household incomes and poverty alleviation if introduced and managed responsibly • Countries that wish to adopt Bt cotton should consider local situations and make such programmes homegrown

33. Merci