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BT Cotton to boost economy-NCST

As climate change continues to hamper production, biotechnology exploration should not be left out
National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) director general Anthony Muyepa has said.

Speaking during an update on biotech activities and launch of the global status report of commercialised biotech crops in Malawi, Muyepa said some of the solutions to the challenges smallholder farmers are
currently facing lie in investing in biotechnology.

Farmers sorting cotton
Farmers sorting cotton

“Four instances to control insect infestation, farmers are spraying between three to four times in one cropping season which posses’ health risks to them and their families,” he said.

According to Muyepa the current Biotechnology cotton trials currently underway will help in promoting economic growth, food security and environmental sustainability.

“In Malawi cotton is treated by government as a strategic crop and promotion of cotton is part of the country’s poverty reduction strategy. The narrow base of the export base of the country and heavy reliance on tobacco make the economy fragile in the face of precarious weather conditions and tobacco commodity prices. We must assist our farmers and not risk our country being uncompetitive globally production,” he said

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