AgroPages-Barriers in Bolivia to grow GM sugarcane-Agricultural news

The sugarcane growers in Santa Cruz are thinking about introducing a transgenic variety of sugar cane to the country. The measure aims at lowering production costs after reducing the need of insecticides.

Likewise, the use of GM could increase the yield per hectare, hence leaving greater profits to producers and bringing to market a free-insecticide cane. But GM sugarcane will not become an option for all Bolivian sugarcane growers, especially in Santa Cruz, as there are barriers to the production of this type of cane, explained the Director of the Research Centre for Sugarcane Technology Transfer (CITTCA), Carlos Costas.

Furthermore, Costas said “it is premature to consider planting GMOs; as there are many barriers and prohibitions in Bolivia. One is the lack of legal regulations. So far, Bolivia has only authorized the use of GM soy but not cane. Another barrier would be to find a variety that could resist glyphosate, plus GM crops need a good weed management, which is lacking in our country”.