Commercial production of Bt cotton planned

 Domestic cotton sector, relying mainly on imports, is set to be revived as commercialization of the genetically modified Bt cotton variety has been planned for next three years. Philippines will conduct field testing on Bt cotton. It has followed import procedures for seeds of the variety, to come from China, for last two years. Candico B Damo, Chief Agriculturist, Cotton Development Administration (CODA), said that import permit for Bt cotton seeds has received the approval of Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). At present country imports cotton from US, Australia and Pakistan.

Bt cotton gives nearly 20% more yield compared to other varieties and it also decreases production costs for farmers. About 24,611 hectares land area in Philippines is to be sowed with Bt cotton in 2008. Between 1996 and 2005, local cotton lint produce fell to an average of 1,174 tonnes from 14,400 tonnes during 1992 because of damages caused by the highly infesting bollworm. Currently, cotton production fulfills only 5% of overall demand.