Embrapa's opinion supports authorization for the planting of transgenic cotton in Rondônia

A National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) authorized the planting of genetically modified (GM) cotton in the state of Rondônia. The decision was taken on October 4th and was based on Embrapa's knowledge, sent through a technical opinion. After approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Map), the state will leave the exclusion zone for planting this type of cotton. The release gives farmers a new possibility for cultivation beyond conventional cotton.

Paulo Barroso, researcher at Embrapa Territorial and responsible for the opinion, explains that the preparation of the document considered information from field surveys, interviews with farmers, scientific literature and technical analyses. In June this year, an Embrapa team visited 20 of the state's 52 municipalities with the aim of collecting information.

The uncertainty of the loss of genetic diversity of natural species after the insertion of GM cotton was one of the justifications for restricting its cultivation. The Embrapa survey showed that the species of cotton existing in Rondônia (Gossypium barbadense) is found in the backyards of homes in rural and urban areas and is intended for medicinal use. The survey also concluded that gene flow does not pose a risk to the permanence of this species in the state.

According to the document, between 2002 and 2015, not a single hectare of cotton was cultivated on Rondônia soil. In 2016, a small area of ​​350 ha was planted. With the release of the transgenic cultivar, the expectation is to expand the cultivation area.

Vicente Godinho, a researcher at Embrapa Rondônia, believes that GM cotton will occupy around 10% of the soybean planting area in the state, being cultivated in the off-season (planting in January). He also notes that the potential cotton producers in Rondônia are those that are highly technological.

Exclusion zone 

Rondônia was included in the exclusion zones for the planting of GM cotton. These areas were established in 2005 by CTNBio with the aim of preserving the variability of uncultivated cotton plants (native and naturalized) from possible adverse effects resulting from gene flow with GM cotton plants. At the time, recalls Barroso, there were uncertainties regarding the interaction of transgenic organisms with the environment.

However, says Barroso, over the years, concerns have become unfounded. The researcher highlights that the Brazilian experience with genetically modified cotton plants is more than 13 years old and there is no sign of harm to the environment, even in Mato Grosso and Western Bahia - regions where cotton cultivation is carried out on a larger scale.

The states of Tocantins and Roraima were also in the original exclusion zone and obtained authorization from CTNBio to plant GM cotton plants in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Strengthen agribusiness 

The request for the state to leave the exclusion zone came from Rondônia Department of Agriculture. José Paulo Gonçales, holder of the portfolio, believes that the cultivation of GM cotton will contribute to increasing the productivity of the crop and will strengthen agribusiness in the region, generating income and employment. “[It is] a good option to replace conventional cotton, as this type of crop is very expensive,” he notes. Currently, he informs, soybeans, rice and corn are the main products grown on Rondônia soil.

Vicente Godinho, a researcher at Embrapa Rondônia, explains that the state is dependent on the cottonseed that comes from Mato Grosso to meet the demand used in its confinements, in the rations offered to the herd. With the release of cotton cultivation, he observes, this internal demand for cottonseed used in livestock farming in the state can be met.

Manager of Fazenda Independência, located in Vilhena, 705 km from the state capital, Luís Carlos Suzini considers that the cultivation of conventional cotton has become unviable. “In other states, not included in the exclusion zone, it is offered to the market at a lower price.” With transgenic cotton, he believes, Rondônia will be able to compete on equal terms.

According to Luís, this year, Fazenda Independência cultivated 110 hectares of conventional cotton. With the approval of GM cotton cultivation, he estimates expanding this area to two thousand hectares.