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Ethiopia approves environmental release of Biotech cotton

The Ethiopian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) have approved two Bt cotton hybrids (JKCH1050 and JKCH1947). This decision comes after two rounds of limited field trials, examination of the field trial results, and prior deliberations. Biotech cotton is the country’s first crop to be reviewed and approved for planting.

Recently the director of MEFCC’s Biotech Directorate said the government has confirmed that the cotton is safe for the environment, ecosystem, and human health. Planting is likely to start next year since the seed is unlikely to be obtainable in time for the current growing season.

The Ethiopian government has been following the approval of Bt cotton for many years in hopes of taming the cotton yields to meet the increasing demands of the country’s growing textile and apparel sector. Ethiopian researchers are also working closely with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on an onset bacterial wilt project, to develop resistant varieties through modern agricultural biotechnology.

 
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