The Hindu Business Line : Bollgard II cotton strains get GEAC clearance

Even as Bt cotton has become a contentious issue, farmers in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh will be using the next generation Bollgard II (BGII) cotton varieties this kharif season.

A total of four Bollgard II hybrids (two of Mahyco and one each of Krishidhan and Ajeet seed companies) have received the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee clearance. This approval allowed cotton farmers in these States to have access to "the superior Bollgard II cotton varieties," a senior executive of Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB) told Business Line.

The price of the seed is likely to be far more than the present Bt version. Without commenting on the trait value, the executive said the final price of BGII cottonseed would be decided by the respective seed companies. It, indeed, would be a premium product that would give "quantifiable savings and increased profits to the farmer."

In-built protection

"GEAC had given regulatory clearance to three of our sub-licensees for the commercial development of Bollgard II in the central zone, consisting of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh," the executive said.

Bollgard II is a double-strained insect-protected cotton technology. Besides protection from bollworm, BGII offers in-built protection against heliothis pests that could have an enormously damaging effect on cotton crop. The company said the new technology offered farmers efficient and effective pest control with fewer pesticide applications than in conventional cotton crops.

A host of other companies too are in the process of launching BGII in other States. They, however, had to complete trials required to get the GEAC approval.

More Stories on : Cotton | Bio-tech & Genetics | Agricultural Policy

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