Bt Brinjal: Introducing Genetically Modified Brinjal (Eggplant/Aubergine) in Bangladesh

Abstract:     
Brinjal, also known as eggplant and aubergine, is Bangladesh’s third most important vegetable in terms of both yield and area cultivated. It is only surpassed by potatoes and onions. However, the yield of brinjal could be much higher would it not be decimated by the brinjal shoot and fruit borer, which is the most destructive insect pest in South and South East Asia. Genetically modified brinjal (Bt brinjal) has the potential to bump up agricultural productivity in Bangladesh and other countries. This paper provides a brief overview of Bangladesh’s vegetable sector and reviews the key issues of introducing Bt brinjal in Bangladesh. It summarizes the results of recent research undertaken in Bangladesh on the environmental safety of Bt brinjal and concludes that Bt brinjal could make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s agricultural sector and more broadly, Bangladesh’s economy and living standards.

Keywords: brinjal, GM food, agriculture, Bangladesh, eggplant

JEL Classifications: O13, Q16, Q18

Working Paper Series