The Hindu Business Line : Gujarat may also drag Monsanto to MRTP — Sees a strong case for the US firm to cut seed prices

The Gujarat Government is examining the recent case against the life sciences major for charging high price for its genetically modified cottonseed (Bt cotton).

"We are closely following the Andhra Pradesh Government move and shall take a matured decision," said Mr Bhupendersinh Chudasama, the State Minister for Agriculture.

He was addressing the all-India cotton trade conference here on Sunday.

In an interesting twist, the Minister asserted that the unofficial variety of Bt cotton favoured by farmerswas sold in the State for as low as Rs 450 a packet.

The official or approved variety is priced four times higher.

According to Mr Chudasama, there is a case for reduction in price of official Bt cotton.

Decision on the Andhra Pradesh case, said to be with the monopolies and restrictive trade practices commission, is likely to set a precedent.

According to the East India Cotton Association, Gujarat has produced an estimated 82 lakh bales (170 kg) of cotton this season (2005-06).

Experts believe nearly 60 per cent of the crop or about 50 lakh bales represent use of unofficial or unapproved GM cottonseed.

Clearly, it is a major regulatory oversight in Gujarat. Lax regulation has resulted in problems for both seed manufacturers and farmers in parts of the country.

It is likely that unapproved seeds are being marketed with the knowledge of State authorities, commented one of the delegates.

Unauthorised planting of unapproved Bt cotton three seasons ago in Gujarat created a huge controversy and set farmers and policymakers on a collision course.

There were talks of destroying the unauthorised crop; but nothing came out of it eventually. Regulators have not learnt any lesson from the incident, it appears.

Listing out various initiatives taken by the Gujarat Government to strengthen agriculture, the Minister said the State was ready for the next Green Revolution.

He wanted the industry and trade bodies to advise farmers and policymakers about market conditions so that an informed decision about what to grow and how to market could be taken.