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. . . Burkina Faso’s recently fiasco over Bt. cotton fibre length . . . is being interpreted differently in the region. Most francophone countries envy the tremendous success Burkina Faso has experienced. Yields and farmers’ incomes have risen, chemical use is down, and cotton and cottonseed oil have become major exports.
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Anglophone and Francophone countries in West Africa . . . are also exploring how best to engage with the technology. Nigeria, whose earnings from the oil sector continue to drop sharply, is seriously considering the adoption of Bt. cotton.
. . . . Most decision makers feel the technology challenges Burkina Faso is facing have been exaggerated by anti-GM activists. [Nigeria] is unequivocal that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda must include the adoption of biotechnology. . .
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Nigeria’s adoption of Bt. cotton would fast track the harmonisation of legislation in ECOWAS, which covers all 15 countries of West Africa. A smaller grouping of francophone countries, WAEMU, is already helping members harmonise national biosafety legislations. An alignment of ECOWAS and WAEMU position on biotechnology would drastically improve the investment climate in the region. . . .
Read full, original post: Burkina Faso’s Leadership in Biotech Adoption Threatened, as Nigeria Explores Bt Cotton Opportunities
