Lessons on Biotechnology from Burkina F aso & USA trips

1. Lessons on Biotechnology from Burkina Faso & USA trips Jack Ranguma, Chairman Health and Biotechnology May, 2014

2. Contents • Background & rationale for trip • Events leading to the trips • Action plan • Status of proposed action plan • Why Bt cotton • Advantages of Bt cotton • Toxicology • Lessons learnt • Way forward

3. Background and rationale • The once vibrant cotton industry has drastically declined. • The cotton growing counties have engaged in discussions to revive the industry. • Bt cotton is has been proposed for adoption and commercialization. • Currently, Kenya has a ban on importation of GMOs, pausing a major challenge. • Governors & other stakeholders set on a mission to establish facts about GMOs & work to address the ban

4. Events leading to the educational trips • Meeting held in Kisumu in October 2013 attended by MoALF, CODA, NACOSTI, KARI & Monsanto. • Ban on GMOs identified as the key challenge. • It was resolved that awareness be raised on GMOs & truth established on the same. • Meeting agreed that a strategy be developed to gain public trust on GMOs. • Study tours to countries that have embraced the technology was proposed,and • Visit to Monsanto & USAD to gather actual facts.

5. Actions taken so far • Awareness campaigns have been on-going. • Public hearing and information sharing held. • Educational trip done to Burkina Faso in November, 2013. Baringo, Nakuru and Kisumu Counties participated. • Educational trip held to USA in march 2014. Nine counties led by their Governors participated together with MoALF, NACOSTI & CODA,

6. Issues covered in Burkina Faso • Learning the technical components of the Bt technology. • Strategy for commercialization of Bt cotton by national government. (Policy & institutional framwork). • Crop husbandry practices. • Advantages & disadvantages of Bt cotton. • Socio-economic benefits. • Risks and challenges. • Toxicology and related issues.

7. Meeting between Governors & Minister, Burkina Faso Governor Ranguma (2nd left) and D. Governor Tuitoek of Baringo (2nd right) with the Minister for Science and Technology for Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, Nov, 2013

8. Findings from Burkina FasoBt Cotton in Burkina Faso • Burkina Faso introduced Bt Cotton in 2007. • Technology used is called Boll guard II. • Technology was brought by Monsanto, USA. • Technology comprises injecting genetic material (Cry 1Ac and Cry 1 Bc) into conventional cotton. • The qualities of the injected genes stops the growth of the cotton ball worm and some of the insects that affect the leaves. • There are other insects that are not controlled by this technology, and which require pesticides.

9. Lessons form Burkina FasoAdvantages of Bt. Cotton • Increased yield per unit area compared to conventional cotton. • Significant reduction of pests hence less exposure to pesticides. • Reduced spraying hence reduced workload and reduced use of water (water can be quite scarce). • Environmentally, there is less active ingredients of chemicals released into water bodies, < pollution. • Less spraying means beneficial insects survive. • Bt cotton balls up earlier than conventional ones. • Higher yields means higher incomes, greater socio-economic gains and increased opportunities with the cotton value chain.

10. Field visit Governor Jack Ranguma & D Governor Baringo Mathew Tuitoek with ISAAA staff prepare to leave Ouagadougou for visits to cotton fields, cotton buying centres and research station in Bobo, Burkina Faso

11. A World of Cotton in Burkina Faso!

12. Expansive cotton fields & endless bales of cotton in Bobo, Burkina Faso

13. Challenges of Bt cotton • High cost of seed due to the technology. • Dependency of multinationals like Monsanto. In Burkina Faso, the local seed is crossed with that of the technology owner, Monsanto). • Challenge for farmers to follow strict crop husbandry rules, such as maintaining buffer zones between cotton fields and other crops. • Bt. Cotton does not control all pests, particularly the sucking pests. • Length of fibre in conventional cotton is longer. This needs to be addressed by researchers.

14. (Lessons from Burkina Faso)Toxicology • Extensive research has been carried out on toxicology by the directorate of research. • 7 years of use of Bt cotton products has shown no harmful effects to human beings or livestock. • Burkina Faso produces 52% of its oil from Bt cotton. The oil is extensively used nationally. • With reduced use of pesticide, there is less pollution to the environment and less exposure through inhalation of pesticides. • Burkina Faso has continued to expand its Bt cotton industry as it has confidence on safety of the products. This applies to other West African countries that have adopted the technology. • The Government highly recommends the adoption and commercialization of Bt cotton due positive health gains.

15. Conclusion • Bt Cotton has multiple advantages: Increased yield by unit area, Reduction of pesticides, Reduction in use of water, Reduction in labour, Reduced production costs hence increased income, Benefits from value chain production such as manufacture of oil, cotton seed cake, etc, No known incidence of human and animal disease occurrence from Bt cotton products. • Quote by Ugandan MP in the trip “We have understood not only the benefits of Bt cotton but also the safety aspects. My message for African countries is that we cannot run away from the technology otherwise we will be left behind. Burkina Faso is an example worth emulating and it is the way to go for Africa“ Honorable Huda Oleru,

16. Study tour team Team of Legislators, Policy makers and Agriculturalist drawn from 8 African Countries during the Burkina Faso Visit