GEAC gives green signal for two more biotech cotton hybrids

24 May '05

3 min read

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in its emergency meeting convened on last Friday approved two Bt cotton hybrids of Nuziveedu Seeds namely NCS-145 Bunny Bt and NCS-207 Mallika Bt for commercial cultivation in south and central India.

The GEAC was scheduled to meet on June 5, but the meeting was advanced on request made by the industry. The seed industry cited reasons for early approval as the sowing season will commence from May 20.

The GEAC met thrice so far in the year for new approvals of Bt cotton for commercial cultivation. So far the number of new approvals for commercial cultivation of Bt cotton hybrid varieties is 13.

Some of the new approved varieties like MRC-630 developed by Mahyco, Ankur 651 of Ankur Seeds and NCS-145 Bunny Bt and NCS-207 Malika Bt can be cultivated in both central and south India.

With Mahyco-Monsanto's Mech-12 Bt, Mech-162 Bt and Mech-184 Bt and Rasi Seed's RCH-2 already in cultivation, the total number of Bt cotton hybrids available for commercial cultivation in different parts of the country in 2005 is 17. The GEAC, in its meeting on May 3, 2005 banned the cultivation of Mech-12 Bt in entire south India, due to its poor performance in these states. It can be cultivated in central India, which includes Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Mech-162 Bt and Mech-184 Bt have been banned for commercial cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, on receiving adverse reports from the state government. The region-wise authorised cultivation of Bt cotton in 2005 is as follows :- 1. In north India, including Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan Bt hybrids like RCH-134 and RCH-317 of Rasi Seed, MRC-6304 and MRC-6301 of Mahyco and Ankur-651 and Ankur-2534 of Ankur Seeds can be cultivated.

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