Eggplant, known locally as brinjal, is an extremely popular crop in Bangladesh. The vegetable is part of the daily diet for the 164 million Bangladeshis. An estimated 150,000 farmers grow eggplant in Bangladesh, and the crop is essential to food security in the country.

Since the 2013-2014 growing season when Bt eggplant first became available to farmers in Bangladesh, the enthusiasm for the crop has skyrocketed. Farmers are eager to adopt varieties that have been proven to protect them from excessive pesticide use and to earn more income. An estimated 65,800 farmers grew Bt eggplant in Bangladesh in the 2020-2021 growing season.

The Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership aims to accelerate benefits to Bangladeshi farmers while strengthening seed systems, enhancing adoption of stewardship practices, and increasing stakeholder knowledge of bioengineered crops.