Benefits of biotechnology to small scale farmers: Case Study Makhatini MR THEMBITSHE JOSEPH BUTHELEZI (T J) UBONGWA CAPE TOWN BIOTECHNOLOGY INFORMATION DAY 14 TH AUGUST 2002

WHAT IS UBONGWA? o Ubongwa is an umbrella association of 50 smallholder farmer associations in KwaZulu-Natal. o I am the chairman of Ubongwa.

COTTON GROWN IN SOUTH AFRICA COTTON GROWN IN SOUTH AFRICA

GENETICALLY MODIFIED COTTON IN SOUTH AFRICA (GM) oInsect resistant cotton (Bt-cotton) first grown in Makhathini 1996 / 97. o My farm was one of the first four farms to try GM cotton in 1996 / 97. o I planted 2ha with GM cotton and 2ha with conventional cotton in 1999 / o Other farmers from different associations came to see my GM cotton.

Bt-cotton vs. non Bt-cotton (both planted at the same time) Bt-cotton Small compact plant Many mature bolls ready for harvest -3 sprays for non bollworm pests Non Bt-cotton Large plant, excessive vegetative growth Difficult to spray Few bolls to harvest 10 sprays for all insect pests

SMALLHOLDER ADOPTION OF Bt COTTON IN THE MAKHATINI Statistics /00 to 2000/01 Growth in no. of Bt-cotton users: 57% Bt-cotton: 52%non Bt cotton: 48%

IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER GROWERS NEGATIVES  Affordability  Technology fee pests  Emergence of other pests which were previously controlled by bollworm sprays  Jassids, green stinkbug  These are easily controlled with 1-2 sprays  Are not as damaging as bollworms NEGATIVES  Affordability  Technology fee pests  Emergence of other pests which were previously controlled by bollworm sprays  Jassids, green stinkbug  These are easily controlled with 1-2 sprays  Are not as damaging as bollworms

IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER GROWERS POSITIVES  Savings  Time (free up time to do other household tasks)  Water (water provision for spraying difficult)  Costs of pesticides  Labour (20 km to spray 1 ha with knapsack)  Transport (to buy pesticides)POSITIVES  Savings  Time (free up time to do other household tasks)  Water (water provision for spraying difficult)  Costs of pesticides  Labour (20 km to spray 1 ha with knapsack)  Transport (to buy pesticides)

IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER GROWERS CONT. POSITIVES  Safety  Reduced handling of hazardous chemicals  Improved bollworm control efficiency  Weather no longer plays a role in spray efficiency  Technology provides superior bollworm control  Improved ecologyPOSITIVES  Safety  Reduced handling of hazardous chemicals  Improved bollworm control efficiency  Weather no longer plays a role in spray efficiency  Technology provides superior bollworm control  Improved ecology

IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER GROWERS CONT. POSITIVES  Technology provides improved yields  Makes cotton a more attractive cash crop  Better utilization of land - limited resource  Improved returns = better quality of lifePOSITIVES  Technology provides improved yields  Makes cotton a more attractive cash crop  Better utilization of land - limited resource  Improved returns = better quality of life

IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER GROWERS CONT. POSITIVES  Reduction in use of broad spectrum insecticides  Less environmental pollution  Improved biological control of aphids & spider mitesPOSITIVES  Reduction in use of broad spectrum insecticides  Less environmental pollution  Improved biological control of aphids & spider mites

OVERALL IMPACT OF Bt COTTON IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS  Impacting more on smallholder farmers than commercial  ~ 85% of smallholder area is Bt cotton  Increased yield and profit for both commercial & smallholder farmers.  We used to get 6 tons/ha of cotton, now we get 9.8 tons/ha using Bt cotton.  Impacting more on smallholder farmers than commercial  ~ 85% of smallholder area is Bt cotton  Increased yield and profit for both commercial & smallholder farmers.  We used to get 6 tons/ha of cotton, now we get 9.8 tons/ha using Bt cotton.

OIL & FIBRE CROPS IN AFRICA ClassCropProduction (MT) in 2000 Oil Crops Soybeans Sunflower seed Canola other oil seeds Palm oil Fibre Crops Cotton Jute3 400 Jute-like fibres Hemp530 Sisal Source: FAO Statistics 2000

THE DIFFERENCE GM COTTON HAS MADE TO ME  Less labour and time needed to grow cotton so I can grow more.  I used to grow 4ha, now I can grow 12ha of cotton and I plan to grow 25 ha next year.  Now I have enough money to build a house.