Burkina Faso in Western Africa is one of the poorest countries in the world. Less than one-fifth of the land is arable, yet 90 percent of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture. Where possible, Burkinabe farmers such as Ouoba Issiaka focus their efforts on their cotton fields as a cash crop to help them purchase food, send their children to school and improve the infrastructure in their villages.

“The advantage today is that we have cotton. When the yields are good, you can send your children to school,” says Issiaka, husband and father of 7 children. Cotton fields in Burkina Faso, however, are susceptible to frequent drought and insect infestations that significantly decrease yields.

Since 2003, Burkina Faso has conducted field trials on GM insect-protected cotton crops that contain a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to protect the plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests. Once approved for commercial use, Burkinabe farmers are expected to benefit from less labor, less pesticide spraying and increased income.

“I heard that transgenic cotton is pest resistant, …which would help increase our income because the profit is eaten by pesticides for treatment,” continues Issiaka whose main concern is providing food for his family. “But so far, we do not have access to this new method. If we get it, it will be good. … There are things we want, but cannot afford. … It will also be good for our children and school.” In addition to reducing pesticide applications and improving farm economics for basics such as food, Bt cotton has the potential to impact farm families' quality of life. “If I make a profit, I will install a pump here … because we have water problems in the village. For my family, I will build a more comfortable house. After that, we'll get a mill, because I don't want my wives to work so hard anymore,” says Issiaka. “For the village, in addition to the pump, we will improve the school. … If we have all these facilities, it will make things better.”

Editor's Note: Pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment, when used in accordance with label directions.