GMO seeds leave Helicoverpa under control in Brazil state of Bahia

The greater use of genetically-modified seeds containing the Bt techonology (Bacillus thuringiensis) has achieved to control the infestation of Helicoverpa armigera in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The caterpillar has been causing billions of losses in the last three crops, but seems to be under control in this season.

According to the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia, this year producers have doubled the planted area with the seeds Intacta RR2 (Monsanto), which offers resistance against the caterpillar. At least 1.3 million hectares were planted with Bt technology, which represents over 80% of the agricultural land in the state.

The president of the entity, Júlio Busato, believes that the investment was worthy because the savings with insecticides averaged US$ 830 per hectare. The worry now goes to the preservation of the technology, which will be possible only if farmers maintain a space in their properties for the installation of refuge areas.

The enforcement of this practice by the authorities, however, is still a problem. It was not approved yet by the Ministry of Agriculture a law which would turn obligatory that farmers reserve a part of their crop for the planting of a conventional seed, and agencies affirm that they do not have any personnel to do that control.