Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB), the 50:50 joint venture of US biotech giant Monsanto and Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co (Mahyco), promises a technology leap on cotton growing from 2013, when it plans to apply for an okay to a new insect-resistant strain it is developing, named Bollgard III.
Such applications go before the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for commercial use. “We are targeting to complete field trials and evaluate the commercial benefits for farmers by the middle of next year. Later, we plan to submit the request for approval for commercial use of this technology by 2013,” said D Narain, India regional head for Monsanto Holdings.
Bollgard III promises protection from a broad spectrum of bollworms and spodoptera. The company launched first-generation cotton technology in India in 2002. In 2006, it introduced Bt-2 that could tackle two varieties of bollworm. Genetically modified (Bt) cotton now covers 93 per cent of the sown area for the cash crop.
However, overall yield is forecast to decline to a five-year low in this harvesting season, which began in October. According to a senior official of CITI-CDRA, the apex trade body of cotton producers and traders, the overall yield this year may decline to below last year’s level of 475 kg per ha from 485 kg per ha last year.
“The commercial benefits aspect has not yet worked out. Hence, it is difficult to evaluate the exact benefit Bollgard III would offer after the launch. But, it will substantially reduce labour costs due to its nature of being herbicide-resistant,” said Gyanendra Shukla, director of MMB.
Monsanto is also planning tie-ups with state seeds corporations to boost sales across all geographical locations. Today, the company is selling seeds through 35 private companies.
Research is also on for drought-tolerant wheat seed. According to Narain, Monsanto is working on both drought and flood-tolerant Bt seeds to suit Indian climatic conditions and support both traits in one seed. But, the result is almost a decade away, he added.