Centre's consent will craft cotton affordable to farmers
10 Jul '06
1 min read
Farmers of Gujarat can now use homegrown Bt seeds without any apprehension due to recent change in the approval system of genetically modified crops adopted by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in New Delhi.
The Agriculture Ministry has approached Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) seeking deregulation of the Cry1Ac gene that gives the bollworm resistance characteristic to genetically modified (GM) Monsanto-Mahyco Bt cotton.
Navbharat 151 and its variants have been in existence for more than three years now, and have proved their success across the state hence, if the centre legalizes this variety, it is expected to make cotton growing affordable not only to a larger section of farmers in the state, but also across the country.
The Gujarat government should take up this issue directly with the Centre and get the variant approved, say farmers.
All GM cotton approved for cultivation in India contains Cry1Ac gene that allows the crops to protect themselves from pests.
The country during 2005-06 produced 24,400,000 bales (of 170 kgs each) and Gujarat had contributed 9,000,000 and in that probably, the percentage of homegrown Bt usage was more than 80 percent.
marketing@alchempro.com
