The Hindu Business Line : AP Seeds in distribution pact for Bt cottonseed

Hyderabad, May 16 The Andhra Pradesh Seeds Development Corporation, a Government agency to produce and distribute seeds, has entered into an agreement with Krishidhan Seeds to distribute 5 lakh packets (each containing 450 gm) of Bt cottonseed this kharif season.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr C. Vidyasagar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Government agency, said the company had agreed to supply 3 lakh packets of Bt-2 and 2 lakh packets of Bt-1 cottonseeds.

Krishidhan, a Maharashtra-based seed manufacturing company, is among the few companies that had got the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) permission to sell the Bt-2 seeds in the State.

The total requirement for cottonseed for the State is estimated at 35 lakh packets. An acre needs a packet of seeds. However, experts advise that the farmers would better go for two packets an acre, for better germination.

“While Bt-1 would be sold at Rs 650 a packet, Bt-2 would be sold at Rs 750,” he said.

The Andhra Pradesh Government had recently told seed companies not to sell the Bt cottonseed beyond Rs 750. Mr Vidyasagar felt that the pricing of the corporation would make other companies to restrict their price to Rs 750.

The corporation, which registered a turnover of Rs 300 crore in 2007-08, is looking at Rs 340 crore this financial year.

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