Government supplies indigenously developed Bt cotton seeds
14 Jul '09
1 min read
The Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) has recently started sales of first of its kind publicly bred genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds; Bikaneri Nerma-Bt (BN Bt variety) and NHH 44-Bt hybrid, in the current cotton season.
CICR has also priced it very attractively to seize the attention of cotton farmers. The BN Bt has been priced at Rs 200 per 2 kg against the Rs 750 per 450 grams of Bt seeds sold by private and foreign companies.
On the other hand, the price of the other variety; NHH 44 hybrid has been set at Rs 400 per 750 gms. But has this smart pricing got the private Bt cotton seed companies worried? If they are to believed, they are not!
According to one of the producers, their variety of Bt cotton seeds provides higher yields, which he says is known to the farmers and since cost of seeds account for only 5 percent of the overall cost, he does not anticipate the change in seed quality.