State Govt & Monsanto to talk on Bt cotton seed prices
31 Jan '06
3 min read
Following the Andhra Pradesh tangle with the Bt cotton seeds maker Monsanto, the Gujarat Government is set to lock horns with the latter for purportly selling costly cotton seeds to its farmers way above the normal prices.
Gujarat already is in the forefront of cotton production in the country and it is learnt from relaible sources that it is contemplating legal action angianst the company. Countering the Goverment claims the media reported the company officials as saying they spoke of illegal seeds distribution carried out within the state that breeched company's intellectual property rights.
The state agriculture department will hold a meeting next week to discuss the price issue on Bt cotton seeds. “We have called a meeting next week to discuss the issue of high price being charged by Monsanto in the Indian market."
I completely agree with the questions raised by the Andhra government on the high royalty of around Rs 1,200 which is being charged by the company. The seeds are sold at abnormally high price — nearly Rs 1,600, Gujarat agriculture minister, Bhupendra Chudasama said.
Currently, Hugh Grant, Monsanto's Chief Executive Officer is on an official visit trying to solve the vexxed issue in his whirlwind visit throughout the country. Company officials have refuted the claims that Mr Grant visit had no relation with the pricing controversy that was raging all over the country.
Ranjana Smetacek, director, Corporate Affairs at Monsanto India has clearly stated that the high official visit had no connection with the petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government and was basically to understand the country and its agriculture system.
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