While the cotton plantation season has already started, cotton cultivators in Punjab and Haryana are experiencing severe scarcity of Bt cotton seeds.
Farmers allege that, even when seeds are available, they are required to pay around Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,000 per packet, as against the standard rate of Rs. 1,000 per packet
The standard prices for Bt-I and Bt-II cotton seeds have been fixed at Rs. 825 and Rs. 1,000 per packet of 450 grams, respectively.
The state authorities have directed the cotton farmers to file complaints with concerned authorities if they are being charged in excess of approved rates.
Nonetheless, the state authorities have held heavy demand from farmers for particular varieties of Bt cotton seed to be responsible for the difficulties that the cotton cultivators are confronting.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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