The Hindu Business Line : AP slams brakes on Bollgard II entry

Hyderabad May 2 The hopes of cottonseed companies to introduce Bollgard-II in Andhra Pradesh seem to have hit a roadblock, with the State Government directing Agriculture Department officials not to be in a hurry to allow it.

At a high-level meeting held recently, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Agriculture, said introduction of Bollgard cottonseed at a higher rate at this juncture would only create confusion among farmers.

Bt cotton acreage has gone up significantly in the last two years in the State, despite a high price of Rs 1,850 for a packet of 450 g.

Last year, seed manufacturers had agreed to reduce the price to Rs 750, following a legal conflict between the Andhra Pradesh Government and Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech Ltd (MMBL) and other Bt seed manufacturers.

Besides breaking the back of spurious Bt seed players, this development has led to further increase in Bt acreage.

Even as the companies agreed to sell Bollgard I seeds at Rs 750, MMBL announced introduction of Bollgard II technology.

While I protects the cotton plant only from bollworm, II offers a two-way protection against bollworm and heliothis.

The price of Bollgard II cottonseed has been fixed at Rs 975. "The price variation could trigger confusion as most of the farmers, who are not literate, don't distinguish between Bollgard I and Bolgard II," sources said, quoting the Minister.

Another reason behind the Government stalling Bollgard-II for now is the prospect of deliberate short supply of Bollgard-I seeds to create a demand for Bollgard-II seeds.

More Stories on : Cotton | Agricultural Policy | Bio-tech & Genetics | Seeds | Andhra Pradesh

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