The Hindu Business Line : Assocham study on Bt cotton draws flak

NGOs fighting against genetically-modified crops have termed the claims made in the study conducted by Assocham on Bt cotton as baseless and said the Bt farmers earned just nine per cent more than the non-Bt farmers who went for non-pesticide management (NPM).

Addressing a press conference, Mr P.V. Sathish, Director of Deccan Development Society (DDS), alleged that there was a larger conspiracy to ensure that non-Bt seed was not available for farmers, forcing them to go for Bt.

Contesting the claims that yield increase in Bt was phenomenal, he said there was just a variance of 25 kg an acre. “Our own studies found that the income variance was just Rs 380 and not as claimed by the chambers,” he said.

New diseases

Mr Sathish pointed out that introduction of Bt cotton had resulted in spurt of new diseases that were hitherto unknown for cotton farmers. “For one, the farmers in Andhra Pradesh have never encountered the dreaded root rot disease, which is now spreading very fast,” he said.

From a negligible incidence of 2-3 per cent, the disease had now reached alarming proportions of 40 per cent of the total cropped area.

He demanded that the Government bring out a law mandating the seed companies to produce and distribute non-Bt seeds equally.

Toxic impact

Mr Sathish also wanted the Government to ask the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, to conduct a study investigating the toxic impact of Bt cotton leaves and stalks on animals that grazed on the fields.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture too questioned the results and parameters that were taken into consideration for the study. “How can a predominantly cotton village be compared with a non-cotton village,” Ms Kavitha Kuruganti, an activist of CSA, wondered.

Referring to the yield increase of nearly two quintals in Bt cotton an acre as per the Assocham study, she cited the official figures in the State that showed only an increase of 75 kg across six districts.

More Stories on : Cotton | Bio-tech & Genetics | Industry Associations

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
NCDEX focus on bullion pays off

‘Smeared’ clouds signal monsoon revival

Grim scenario

Rubber prices rebound on global cues

Fair demand at Coimbatore tea auctions

7-week low volume at Coonoor tea auctions

Positive sentiment in gold may continue in 2008

Copper riding high on supply threat, limited inventory

Assocham study on Bt cotton draws flak

Jute packaging order extended

Instant coffee producers source more beans locally

TN gives ‘in-principle’ nod for poultry zoning

Cardamom higher on supply woes

Spices exports increase 36% in value terms

Buying support props up pepper futures