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The Conference will focus on the critical role science and technology can play in raising sustainable agricultural productivity in developing countries.

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Ministerial Conference on Harnessing Science and Technology to Increase Agricultural Productivity in Africa:  West African Perspectives
 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
June 21 – 23, 2004  

Abstract: Benefits of Biotechnology to Small Scale Farmers: Case Study Makhatini

Ms. Thandiwe Myeni

This technology has been God sent to us small-scale farmers. This GM cotton was introduced at Makhathini flats in years 1996/7. It was tried, tested, demonstrated and approved. I started planting GM cotton in year 1997 at this time I only had 4 hectors. I planted 2 ha using conventional seeds and 3 ha using GM seeds.

This is what I experienced during that season.
Conventional cotton seed GM cotton seed
This was very costly because you had to spray once a week The cost on pesticides was reduced only sprayed a few times
Had to handle different harmful pesticides Exposure to harmful chemicals was reduced
More labor is used for spraying which is time consuming and costly More labor was needed during harvest time to pick the cotton, more money is brought to our pocket
I got 4 bales per ha I got 9 bales per ha because all cotton bolls are never disturbed by worms

An overall impact of GM cotton in South Africa for small-scale farmers

Yield and profit for farmers has increased

90% of Makhathini farmers are growing GM cotton seeds

Less labor is necessary when growing GM

I have been able to increased my field up to 10 ha

I have improved my life and the education of my children

Most of the farmers at Makhathini are female farmers who are now able to improve their lives

 

 

      

    

 

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Last modified: Tuesday, February 22, 2005