The Hindu Business Line : Bollgard II launch likely during kharif

EVEN as arguments and counter-arguments fly thick and fast over Bt cotton, its efficacy and pricing, Mahyco is hopeful of launching Bollgard II, the second generation insect-protected cotton technology, in the next kharif season.

"We are hopeful of introducing Bollgard II depending on necessary approvals," Mr B.R. Barwale, Chairman of Mahyco, said.

Responding to a question on Bollgard II introduction, Mr Barwale said the field trials were completed in northern and western zones and field visits were on by the committee. "We are conducting trials in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the South," he said.

Bollgard II contained two different insect-control genes, compared to the single insect-control gene in the Bollgard.

Pricing issue: Asked about the controversy over the pricing issue, he said the controversy was created by some vested interests.

The fact that more and more farmers were using Bt cotton and "we expect rapid acceptance by the farmer," he said.

On the issue of pricing, he said technology became more and more absorbed and competition was going up.

As a result, price might come down. Larger volumes would also have a role.

"The farmer is really happy. Let the farmer say no. He is purchasing the seeds. There is no `bandhan'. There are several factors that governed (the pricing)," Mr Barwale said.

He argued that Bt cotton was nobody's monopoly in India. "Chinese Bt is being tried. Khargapur University Bt too is being tried. Several companies have got licences," he said.

Earlier addressing the interactive session with young scientists, he said the arrival of Bt cotton had significantly increased yields.

"It has gone up from 300 kg/hectare to 430 kg/hectare in just four years after its introduction. Post Bollgard II, we can expect the yield to further go up to 600 kg/ha in the next two to three years," he said.

Royalty: `A test case for Andhra Pradesh Govt'

PROF. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of National Commission on Farmers, has said the Andhra Pradesh Government's case with the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (over the huge royalty charged by Monsanto on its Bt cotton technology) is a "test case".

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said access to technologies should be socially inclusive.

"We have developed huge infrastructure (for research). We can develop our own genetic material and varieties," he observed.

If a gene was going to help a lot of our cotton farmers, it should be made accessible to all. There should not be social exclusion in access to technology. That should be our fundamental policy in agriculture, he pointed out.

"They (Monsanto) have a patent. They are acting legal," he said, refusing to make a comment on the case filed against the company.