Pune based Krishidhan Seeds and The Maharashtra State Cotton Growers Marketing Federation Ltd (MSCGMFL) announced their strategic collaboration to promote BT cotton seeds to the farmers. Mahacot (KDCHH-065BG-II) and Mahacot-2 (KDCHH-641BG II) cotton seeds from Krishidhan Seeds, would be made available to deserving farmers through a public – private partnership, for the current kharif season.
MSCGMFL supplies seeds to over 2.5 million cotton farmers in India.
Mahacot and Mahacot-2 BT cotton seeds are known for their high tolerance towards all major sucking pests, boll worm that are responsible for reducing yield of cotton produce throughout India. Mahacot responds well in both rain fed and irrigated conditions with wide adaptability to all types of soil and gives very high yield. It has indeterminate growth habit which result in very tall crop growth. It has also very good rejuvenation capacity.
Speaking on the collaboration Sushil Karwa, managing director, Krishidhan Group said, "We at Krishidhan Seeds strive towards becoming a socially responsible seed company working towards creating additional wealth for the farmers and such collaborations only help us move forward to achieve our objectives. This alliance would ultimately help farmers in getting good quality seeds and increasing their cotton production this kharif season".
"India is one of the largest producers of cotton in the world with a potential to become one of the dominant players in the cotton market. Through this public–private partnership model, we will ensure that farmers get BT seeds at reasonable prices in their vicinity. We hope that such partnerships should continue at a larger scale to benefit the farmers further" said N P Hirani, chairman, MSCGMFL. Maharashtra ranks second in India in the production of cotton.
About 3 million farmers are engaged in cotton cultivation in the state mostly in the backward region of Marathwada and Vidarbha.
MSCCGMFL is specially set up to undertake the procurement of cotton in the state of Maharashtra and selling the same to end users.