'Technologies' is the theme of 67th Plenary Meeting

29 Jul '08

2 min read

The Government of Burkina Faso has authorized planting of 15,000 hectares of biotech cotton in 2008/09 for planting seed production and to evaluate impacts on cotton yields, quality, rural economies and the environment.

Research conducted in experimental plots by the Institute D'Economie Rural (IER) indicates that the use of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso can lead to a gain in yields of as much as 30% while reducing pesticide use by 60%. If commercial results from the 2008/09 crop confirm the research results, the use of biotech cotton will expand rapidly in Burkina Faso beginning in 2009/10.

The theme of the 67th Plenary Meeting is Technologies for Cotton Development. The theme will provide opportunities to showcase the role of technologies in raising yields, reducing input costs and improving the competitiveness of the cotton industry. The format of each session is being designed to optimize time for discussion.

Topics will include:
• Cotton and Multilateral Trade Negotiations
• The Roles of Government and the Private Sector in Technology Transfer
• Biotechnology in Cotton: Lessons of Implementation
• Social, Environmental and Economic Performance (SEEP) of Cotton Production
• Outlook for Cotton Supply and Demand
• Technical Seminar: Improving the Sustainability of Cotton Production in Africa
• Competitiveness of African Cotton Production
• Progress Toward Standardization of Trade Rules
• Preparations for the International Year of Natural Fibres
• The Implications of Rising Energy Costs on Cotton Production and Trade
• New Developments in Cotton Ginning
• New Developments in Pre-Ginning and Post-Ginning Processing Technology

International Cotton Advisory Committee

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