Diffusion du coton génétiquement modifié en afrique du sud : des leçons pour l'afrique zone franc

The use of Genetically Modified Cotton (GMC) in South Africa, since 1996-1997, derives mainly from commercial farming by white farmers. It is therefore incorrect to present the so-called South African success as an example of successful use of GMC by smallholding farmers. Considering the fluctuating if not declining cotton production in the Makhatini Flats, the so-called success is debatable since it is clear that a mere technological introduction cannot ensure production increase. The South African cotton sector suffered from severe instability, with a negative impact affecting mainly smallholders, thus revealing the limits and constraints of a new technology with regard to the extension of peasant production at national scale. The last stage of institutional evolution within this sector, oriented towards further intensification secured by irrigation, entails a risk of debarring most smallholders from producing cotton in the event that the new approach cannot be scaled up. This questionable evolution of the agriculture in the Makhatini Flats appears to have been concealed, like other important institutional factors, by the exclusive debate about GMC. The results of our research complete the existing ones by indicating poor profits in an unfavourable climatic and institutional context. This reminds us that rain-fed agriculture remains sensitive to climatic hazards and that adoption of new technology might increase its financial risk. As a whole, the outcomes of the GMC use in South Africa are unstable at a very low yield level. Changes in the production cost structure should be emphasized since expenses on seeds become the main cash production cost. Today, only a few countries in Francophone African countries benefit from institutional stability, which is favourable to GMC introduction. Such an introduction calls for preparation notably to negotiate favourable economic conditions of biotechnology transfer and to reorganize seed distribution in compliance with farmers? interests. This preparation would not be easy and adoption of GMC should not be rushed.