After a gap of two years, the central government might revise the ‘trait value’ (licence fee) of genetically modified (Bt) cotton seed for the 2018-19 crop season.
The current price is Rs 800 for a 450g packet; this might also be changed. Of this, Rs 49 is the ‘trait fee’ and this could be cut by Rs 20-25. The Centre sets both rates.
The trait fee is what seed companies have to pay to the licence holder. In this case it is, global giant Monsanto’s joint venture partner in this country, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMBL).
For the 2017-18 season, the Centre had retained