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Ethiopia Imports Pest-Resistant Cotton to Reach Demand

Cotton production in the country is not satisfying the demand of textile industries as the local variety is highly susceptible to pests. The government has imported pest resistant cotton (BT cotton) to address domestic demand.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Forest and Climate Change Bio Safety Affairs Director Belete Geda said said growing BT cotton seed is a way out for a better yield and meet the ever growing demand of the textile sector.

The nation also amended previous law, and the new one therefore, permits importing Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) as well as conducting research in the area. Following this, the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EARI) received license for experimenting transgenic cotton seed from the Ministry.

Ollivier Girard/CIFOR

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