Cultivation of BT brinjal increasing in Bangladesh: USAID

Cultivation of genetically modified BT brinjal is increasing gradually in Bangladesh as the farmers get a good yield by applying very little insecticides.

Dr Maricelis Acevedo, activity director at Cornell University, revealed the information in the keynote paper she presented at an event organised by the USAID and Feed the Future on Wednesday.

In the report titled "BT Eggplant Project in Bangladesh: History, Present Status and Directions," Dr Maricelis Acevedo said cultivation of the BT brinjal in Bangladesh has been increasing gradually since it was approved in the country in 2013.

She said around 27,000 farmers cultivated BT eggplant on 4,771 hectares of land in fiscal year 2019-20 and 80.6% of these farmers are satisfied with the quality of their crops.

The Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Department of Agricultural Extension, and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) have been working directly for the cultivation of BT brinjal in Bangladesh.

The BADC is selling BT brinjal seeds through dealers. However, some farmers are preserving its seeds to cultivate it repeatedly.

In her presentation, Dr Maricelis Acevedo said, "Farmers cultivating BT brinjal are using 61% less insecticides than the farmers who cultivate common brinjal types."

She further said the BT brinjal farmers are earning 21% more money than what general brinjal farmers earn.

Another reason for farmers' increased interest in farming BT brinjal is that it suffers 45% less attacks by insects than other brinjal varieties.

Referring to a survey conducted amongst the farmers, Dr Maricelis Acevedo said, "Around 40% farmers in the country do not yet know about the BT brinjal. 71.4% of the farmers who know about it, plan to cultivate it in the next season."

USAID Director (Office of Economic Growth) John Smith-Sreen, among other senior officials, were also present at the event.