Bt eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Bangladesh: Fruit production and control of eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee), effects on non-target arthropods and economic returns

Prodhan, M. Z. H.; Hasan, Mahmudul; Chowdhury, M. M. I.; Alam, M. S.; Rahman, Md. Lutfur; Azad, Abul K.; Hossain, Md. Jahangir; Naranjo, Steven E.; Shelton, Anthony M.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205713

Cited by 30 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Previous studies on the impact of using Bt brinjal (see introduction) have shown virtually complete control of EFSB in Bangladesh without any disruption of non-target arthropods (Prodhan et al, 2018). In the Philippines, a similar level of control (Hautea et al, 2016) and lack of effect on non-target arthropods (Navasero et al, 2016) was observed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…This study also identified that farmers spent 61% less on pesticides compared to non-Bt brinjal farmers and experienced no yield losses due to the EFSB. In a 2-year study conducted by Prodhan et al (2018), all four Bt brinjal varieties provided virtually complete control of EFSB without the use of insecticides for EFSB control, and had higher gross returns than their non-Bt equivalents. A report by Ahmed et al (2019) evaluated the impacts of the Bt brinjal technology on production systems, marketability, and human health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Bt Brinjal Cultivation in the Market Value Chain in Five Districts of Bangladesh

Shelton

Sarwer

Hossain

et al. 2020

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Eggplant (brinjal) is a popular vegetable that provides an important source of income for small, resource-poor Bangladeshi farmers. The biggest constraint to brinjal production is the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). This study was conducted in 2019 in five districts in Bangladesh and examined the impacts of using genetically engineered, insect-resistant brinjal (Bt brinjal) on its value and marketing. Based on a survey of Bt and non-Bt farmers, results indicate that Bt brinjal provided an average of 19.6% higher yield and 21.7% higher revenue compared to non-Bt varieties. On a per tonne basis, the revenue benefit of using Bt brinjal was 1.7%, reflecting different levels of acceptability among trade buyers and consumers. Some were prepared to pay higher prices for Bt brinjal compared to non-Bt brinjal because the fruit was less damaged, while others paid a price discount because the Bt brinjal was not available in preferred local varieties. Labor use, expressed in 8-h days, for harvesting, grading, and packaging of Bt brinjal was 14% higher for Bt brinjal, reflecting the increased yields of Bt brinjal. 83.1% of Bt brinjal growers were satisfied with the yields obtained, and 80.6% were satisfied with the quality of fruit. This contrasts with non-Bt brinjal growers where 58.7% were satisfied with their yields and 28% indicated that a large portion of their fruit was infested, not a concern for Bt brinjal. Three-quarters of Bt brinjal growers planned to plant Bt brinjal next season because of the apparent benefits achieved of higher yields, revenue and fruit quality. Many also highlighted the benefits of reduced insecticides. Of the non-Bt growers, 39.6% had not heard of Bt brinjal. However, after hearing more about the impact of the technology, 71.4% of them indicated they planned to grow Bt brinjal next season. These findings suggest there are significant benefits of Bt brinjal and highlight the importance of making the technology available in more varieties that are suitable to local conditions and consumer preferences. Additional studies are warranted to corroborate these findings and explore in more detail the factors influencing decisions made by farmers and consumers regarding Bt brinjal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Bt Brinjal Cultivation in the Market Value Chain in Five Districts of Bangladesh

Shelton

Sarwer

Hossain

et al. 2020

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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“…Cultivation of Bt-brinjal reduced labor and chemical costs. Prodhan et al (2018) compared the impacts of four Btbrinjal varieties and conventional brinjal. They found a 0-2% fruit infestation of FSB among the Bt-brinjal varieties versus a 36-45% infestation in conventional brinjal varieties.…”

Section: Benefits Of Bt-brinjal Cultivation By Farmersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosafety Measures, Socio-Economic Impacts and Challenges of Bt-brinjal Cultivation in Bangladesh

Haque

Saha

2020

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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This study surveyed the onsite biosafety measures adopted by the farmers cultivating Bt-brinjal, the socioeconomic impact, and the challenges of Bt-brinjal cultivation in Bangladesh through interviews of 101 farmers from 26 Upazila (administrative region) under 20 Districts. Bt-brinjal 2, released by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is cultivated by 35% of the surveyed farmers. It was revealed that 52% of farmers maintained border crops. Among the growers, 52% informed that they disclose to the buyers that they are selling Bt-brinjal while selling in the open market where no product is traditionally labeled. Most of the farmers (71%) use Bt-brinjal plant debris as animal feed. Farmers (60%) received training on biosafety of Bt-brinjal cultivation. According to 85% of farmers, Bt-brinjal cultivation improved insect control. The farmers (77%) agreed that Bt-brinjal reduced labor and chemical costs and 75% of the farmers found increased yield and 72% of them found enhanced income by Bt-brinjal cultivation. However, 25% farmers informed that they did not get increased yield due to incidence of secondary insects. Most of the farmers (89%) perceive that cultivation of Bt-brinjal improved quality of brinjal. Furthermore, 59% of the farmers opined that price was reduced due to Btbrinjal cultivation. The farmers also believe that Bt-brinjal cultivation reduced pesticide use (97%) and concern of insecticide use (96%) and hence they consider Bt-brinjal safer for human health (96%). However, to harvest the benefits of modern biotechnology, proper management of the biosafety in Bt-brinjal cultivation and labeling of Bt-brinjal during marketing should be maintained properly.

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“…After eight years of breeding and testing, in 2013 four varieties were approved for cultivation by Bangladesh's National Committee on Biosafety (APAARI 2018). In 2014, 20 farmers received seedlings of the four varieties of Bt brinjal from the Ministry of Agriculture to grow on a trial basis (Shelton et al 2018). Three observational studies, one with approximately 100 farmers 1 , a second on a research farm (Prodhan et al 2018), and a third (Rashid, Hasan, and Matin 2018) with a larger sample size (505 Bt brinjal farmers and 350 farmers growing conventional brinjal) all provided evidence that Bt brinjal can reduce FSB infestation, requires fewer pesticides, and results in higher yields with lower production costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic and health impacts of genetically modified eggplant: Results from a randomized controlled trial of Bt brinjal in Bangladesh

Ahmed¹,

Hoddinott²,

Abedin³

et al. 2019

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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), established in 1975, provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI's strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute's work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI's research from action to impact. The Institute's regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world. AUTHORSAkhter Ahmed (a.ahmed@cgiar.org) is a senior research fellow and country representative in the Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division AbstractIn this paper, we assess the impacts of genetically modified eggplant, Bt brinjal, on economic and health outcomes in Bangladesh using a cluster randomized controlled design. Bt brinjal cultivation reduces the cost of pesticide use by 47 percent. This is driven by reductions in the use of pesticides with adverse ecological impacts by 82 percent, and reductions in the use of pesticides with adverse effects on farmer health by 23 percent. Individuals who had a preexisting chronic condition consistent with pesticide exposure and who lived in villages randomly selected to grow Bt brinjal were 11.5 percentage points less likely to report a symptom of pesticide exposure and were 11 percentage points less likely to incur cash medical expenses to treat these symptoms. Net yields were 42 percent higher for Bt brinjal farmers, and our descriptive distributional work suggests that these yield gains are widespread. The differences in net yields were driven by two outcomes: the quantity harvested was higher on Bt brinjal fields, by 114 kilograms per farmer; and after harvesting, fewer fruits were discarded because of damage due to pests and diseases, by 40 kilograms per farmer. Increased production, together with a 14 percent increase in price and a 10 percent reduction in costs, leads to a substantial increase in profits from cultivating Bt brinjal for treatment farmers compared with conventional brinjal produced by control farmers. Bt brinjal is a publicly developed GMO that conveys significant health benefits, both human and ecological, while raising farmer incomes.

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Bt eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Bangladesh: Fruit production and control of eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee), effects on non-target arthropods and economic returns

Cited by 30 publications

References 21 publications

Impact of Bt Brinjal Cultivation in the Market Value Chain in Five Districts of Bangladesh

Impact of Bt Brinjal Cultivation in the Market Value Chain in Five Districts of Bangladesh

Biosafety Measures, Socio-Economic Impacts and Challenges of Bt-brinjal Cultivation in Bangladesh

Economic and health impacts of genetically modified eggplant: Results from a randomized controlled trial of Bt brinjal in Bangladesh

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