Govt asks firms to reduce Bt Cotton prices

Despite a controversy over Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cottonseeds use last year in Madhya Pradesh, the state agriculture department has asked Bt Cottonseed trading companies to reduce the prices with immediate effect. However, none of the companies trading in seeds have confirmed it.

The prices were touching as high as Rs 1,700 per 450 gm pack against the printed price of Rs 1,200-1,400 per 450 gm pack. The prices will, according to a government source, now be lowered to Rs 750 per 450 gm pack.

The Bt Cotton issue rocked the state last year on account of heavy losses suffered by farmers due to low yield from Bt cotton. The ruling BJP came under fire during the last assembly session.

Congress had claimed that thousands of farmers in Malwa and Nimar region who grew Bt Cotton on an area of 6.34 lakh hectares suffered heavy loss since the average yield of cotton had reduced from 15 quintals to only 4 quintals.

"Officials of the state agriculture department and representatives of the companies trading in Bt Cottonseed decided to lower the rates to bring them at par with that of other states. The companies have now agreed upon this," a government spokesperson said.

During November last year, there were reports that during a public hearing organised by Dhar district's Krishi Upaj Mandi, and according to a scientist's report, presented during the hearing, at least 14 animals died and several fell ill.

It had also been alleged during the hearing that use of the seeds led to a rise in cases of skin diseases. Further, the state governor Mr Balram Jakhar had ordered a probe in Bt Cotton's reported allergic reactions.

Later, companies like Monsanto India Limited rushed to Madhya Pradesh to rescue the image of Bt Cotton and claimed that the results of Bt Cotton in Madhya Pradesh were encouraging.

Cotton is sown in about 6.50 lakh hectare in Madhya Pradesh, and farmers use Bt Cottonseeds in about 1.50 lakh hectare of this land, said the government figures. However, according to Monsanto figures, released in November last, the sales of Bt Cottonseeds grew during 2002-03 to 2005-06.

More and more firms joined the Bt Cotton race. Mahyco sold 1,97,390 packets to cover 78,956 hectares, Rasi Seeds sold 1,02,150 packets to cover 40,860 hectares, Ankur Seeds sold 576 packets to cover 230. 40 hectares and Nuziveedu Seeds sold 36,481 packets to cover 14,592.40 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh.