Pakistan

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Pakistan

biotech country Facts & Trends

In 2016, the adoption of insect resistant Bt cotton varieties in Pakistan increased to 97%. In 2016, Pakistan achieved a 97% adoption rate of Bt cotton, or 2.9 million hectares of the national total area planted to cotton which was 3 million hectares. Around 725,000 smallholder cotton farmers in Pakistan planted and benefited from Bt cotton in 2016, which was the seventh year of commercial planting in the country. It was estimated that the economic gains from Bt cotton

in Pakistan for 2010 to 2015 was US$4.3 billion, and US$398 million for 2015 alone. Adoption of biotech crops in pakistan In 2016, Pakistan approved the commercial cultivation of single and stacked insect resistant and herbicide tolerant IR/HT maize events developed by DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto Pakistan for the first time, subject to varietal

registration by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Committee, Ministry of National Food Security and Research. The commercial authorization of one HT and three IR/HT maize events developed by these companies will spur tremendous growth of adoption of biotech maize and will drive adoption of maize hybridization in the country. The Federal National Biosafety Committee of the Ministry of Climate Change met in 2016 to consider 119 applications with pending approvals for import, field trials, and commercial release in Pakistan. Approvals were given to 32 single Bt cotton varieties: 20 varieties expressing MON531 event (deregulated in 2010), 12 new varieties with the same event; and two new varieties with pyramided Bt genes called CEMB-2 event, for a total of 34 varieties. The official approval of old and new IR (Bt) cotton varieties by the FNBC will ensure supply of genuine good quality IR cotton seeds that meet minimum specifications including resistance to cotton leaf

curl virus (CLCV), well-adapted to the different ecologies, possess required fiber quality standards, and other desirable features. A study by Kouser et al. (2016) reported that Bt technology can contribute to additional employment income for the poor and to more equitable rural development. The study estimated that Bt adoption has increased the demand for hired labor by 55%, and estimated to have generated a significant economic benefits to landless laborers particularly women, who often belong to the most disadvantaged groups of rural societies. Similarly, a joint research study conducted by the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab and the Department of Botany, Lahore College for Woman University, Lahore, Pakistan to see the effect of Bt on two different groups of earthworms observed “no lethal effects of transgenic Bt protein on the survival of earthworm and rats.” The study confirmed “the absence of Cry1Ac protein in blood and urine samples of rats, which were fed with Bt protein in their diet.” Furthermore, the histological studies showed “no difference in cellular architecture in liver, heart, kidney and intestine of Bt and non-Bt diet fed rats”. The research study confirmed the safety of Bt technology and therefore it will be helpful in successful deployment and commercial release of genetically modified crop in Pakistan (Shahid, 2016). Conclusion Biotech hectarage in Pakistan was similar to the previous year but the adoption rate increased even if the total cotton hectarage planted decreased. This is indicative of farmer satisfaction on Bt technology that can be replicated in the upcoming adoption of

biotech maize in the country. A total of 34 varieties of cotton were approved by the Federal National Biosafety Committee providing more options for farmers in planting insect resistant biotech cotton. The committee has also approved the commercial release of four biotech maize events with stacked IR and HT. This is expected to spur growth of adoption of biotech maize and will drive adoption of maize hybrids in the country. source ISAAA. 2016. Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2016. ISAAA Brief No. 52. ISAAA: Ithaca, New York.

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