The Hindu Business Line : Rise in Bt cotton area key to record output

RISE in Bt cottonseed distribution is among the various reasons for the projected increase in domestic cotton output for the 2004-05 season. This season's cotton output is poised to cross the record 200-lakh-bale mark.

According to trade and industry circles, the increased share in Bt cottonseed distributed through both official and unofficial market channels is one of the reasons for the anticipated higher production this year.

Trade sources say that at least 30 per cent of the crop area is under Bt cotton cultivation this year. A fairly good monsoon and more importantly a relatively disease/pest-free season have helped the current crop to post good gains both in terms of quality and quantity.

According to the members of the South India Cotton Association (SICA), the steady increase in the per hectare kappa yield of domestic cotton recorded in the last three consecutive years is also a factor for the increased crop size. As against 250 kg of national average yield, the per hectare yield during 2003-04 was around 388 kg. This year, the yield is expected to go up to 400-420 kg per hectare, the SICA Secretary, Mr Viswanathan, said.

Though the Bt cotton is found to be resistant to the American bollworm attack, the principal cotton pest causing economic damage to the crop, Bt cotton cannot be per se the solution for all cotton pests, says Dr V. Santhanam, noted cotton scientist and Director in the board of SICA. He is of the view that Bt hybrid cotton will have no effect on such pests.

He is also of the view that efforts must be initiated at the earliest to develop Bt variety cotton as it would help bring down the cost. At present, the cost of hybrid Bt cotton per acre works out to be Rs 1,600 and a reasonable reduction in its price will be possible only if Bt varietal cotton is made available.

Another area of concern for the cotton community is perhaps the phenomenon of lower oil content in Bt cottonseeds. Because of this, the Bt cottonseeds do fetch lower price in the market, the SICA members say.

Dr Santhanam opined that the low oil content might be linked partly to the systemic characteristics of insecticide incorporated in the Bt gene. However, he is of the view that the cottonseed utilisation for oil extraction is very limited and hardly 20-25 per cent is being used for oil extraction.