Bangladesh has introduced two genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties to bolster domestic cultivation, aiming to enhance yields and reduce import dependency. These GM cotton types integrate genetic attributes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a bacterium combatting bollworm, a cotton-yield damaging caterpillar. This marks Bangladesh’s second GM plant introduction after Bt brinjal in 2014. With Bt and hybrid cotton, the nation can fulfill 20% of its cotton demand, while local growers presently supply a mere fraction. The majority of cotton is imported, costing approximately Tk 33,000 crore annually. GM cotton’s potential for higher yields and lower production costs could provide economic benefits. This move aligns with international trends, where Bt cotton transformed importing nations into exporters.
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