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Use of Bt cotton seeds doubles India's cotton output
02 Apr '12
1 min read
India's cotton output has grown more than two times after it started using Bt cotton seeds for cultivation.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha that India's cotton output has grown from 16.4 million bales of 170 kg each in 2004-05 to 34 million bales in 2011-12.
This clearly shows that production has soared with the use of Bt cotton, he said.
However, farmers of Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh and Dhule district in Maharashtra have alleged that the use of hybrid cotton seeds produced and marketed by Bayer Bio-Science Pvt Ltd adversely impacted their production, Mr. Pawar said.
The Minister added that production in these regions suffered as both the regions received more than average rainfall. He said that though farmers have been compensated for the loss suffered, Bayer Bio-Science has gone in appeal.
He further said that the Government does not prescribe use of any particular seed to farmers for cultivation and it is farmer's own decision.
He recommended that the nine states that allow use of Bt cotton seeds should fix the liability of the company to pay compensation for the losses suffered by farmers. He also suggested making a legal provision in this regard.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha that India's cotton output has grown from 16.4 million bales of 170 kg each in 2004-05 to 34 million bales in 2011-12.
This clearly shows that production has soared with the use of Bt cotton, he said.
However, farmers of Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh and Dhule district in Maharashtra have alleged that the use of hybrid cotton seeds produced and marketed by Bayer Bio-Science Pvt Ltd adversely impacted their production, Mr. Pawar said.
The Minister added that production in these regions suffered as both the regions received more than average rainfall. He said that though farmers have been compensated for the loss suffered, Bayer Bio-Science has gone in appeal.
He further said that the Government does not prescribe use of any particular seed to farmers for cultivation and it is farmer's own decision.
He recommended that the nine states that allow use of Bt cotton seeds should fix the liability of the company to pay compensation for the losses suffered by farmers. He also suggested making a legal provision in this regard.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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