Tanzania to grow Bt cotton to triple the yield

Field trials of the genetically modified Bt cotton will soon start in Tanzania now that the legal framework is already in place, according to the Tanzania Cotton Board. In 2007, Tanzania is the fifth largest lint cotton producer in Africa, following Egypt, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Benin. However, Tanzanian cotton production declined in 2008-2009 due to decrease in prices.

Lint cotton yield is projected to increase after adoption of Bt cotton and may reach 260,000 metric tons by 2014 to 2015. Marco Mtunga, Tanzania Cotton Board regulation officer, said that aside from increasing productivity, commercial banks are offering loans for contract farming, and the government plans to put up an agricultural bank to help cotton farmers increase their output.