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Besides working closely with Monsanto for developing Bt cotton, SIMA-CDRA (Cotton Development and Research Association) is in the process of coming out with its own Bt seeds. “We have applied for patent. But this will take another 3-4 years,” SIMA Chairman T. Rajkumar said. It has collaborated with Monsanto and Kaveri Seeds for developing the GKD 1 Bt. “We will be releasing it this year,” he said. In the pilot phase, the association has given away about 2,000 packets (of 450 gm each) of the GKD Bt cotton seeds for trial to farmers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. “The crop quality has been good this far. The response is positive,” the SIMA Chief said. Apart from developing its own Bt seeds, SIMA-CDRA would focus on rejuvenating the desi varieties. “Because of the focus on Bt cotton, the desi varieties and the long staple cotton varieties had taken a backseat. We are now giving greater thrust to these as well,” Rajkumar said.
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