Monsanto reduces price of non-Bt corn to stimulate refuge areas in Brazil

Monsanto has launched a campaign that offers 30% discount to buy non-Bt corn designed to plant a refuge area in Brazil. Falling since the introduction of the first Bt corn, refuge planting area only accounts for 20% of the total planting area. The company hopes to increase this percentage up to 70% in two years. 

 

Renato Carvalho, the regulation manager of Monsanto, explains that by nature there always will be individuals that are resistant to Bt corn. The refuge planting has as a goal to raise caterpillar populations that are susceptible to Bt proteins. Adult insects developed on the refuge area will mate with any resistant individuals and transmitted again the susceptibility to Bt for the following generations, thus protecting the technology efficacy on pest control.

 

The campaign covers corn hybrids Agroeste, Sementes Agroceres and Dekalb, with the technologies VT PRO, VT PRO 2, VT PRO 3 and VT PRO MAX. Farmers should reserve a minimum of 10% of the crop area for refuge planting.