WARANGAL, MAR. 29
With cost of production rising due to labour shortage, cotton farmers of Gunturpali and Mariapuram villages in Andhra Pradesh are waiting for next generation Bt cotton technology that can provide solution to weed problem and further enhance crop yields. The two villages together have over 1,000 acres under Bt cotton cultivation in rainfed area.
Farmers are using Bt cotton seed with Bollgard II technology, innovated by US-based firm Monsanto, that has resistance towards bollworms. “Cotton cultivation has revived in our village because of Bt cotton. Using Bollgard II seed has improved crop yields from 3- 4 quintals per acre to more than 10 quintal per acre in rainfed area,” M Velangan Reddy, who has 15 acres under cotton in Gunturpali, told visiting journalists.
Farmers have saved upto Rs 3,000 per acre from reduced insecticide spraying for bollworms which were responsible for maximum production loss, he said. However, cotton growers are still facing other challenges like timely availability of labour, weeding and sucking pest, Reddy said adding that new technology can only address these problems.
Echoing similar views, 67 year old farmer Mohan Reddy from the same village said cotton farming is labour intensive. Labour is required at all stages — land preparation, sowing, spraying, fertilizer application, weeding and picking. “Labour comprises more than 50 per cent of our input costs. Of which, maximum labour is required for weeding. So, if there is new technology that can address weed problem, it will be a big relief,” he said.
Stressing that weed management is a major problem, another grower Gade Balasowreddy from Mariapuram village said: “Getting labour for weeding has put high financial strain on us especially after the MNREGA scheme. With improved socio- economic status, not many are willing to do the labour job. “I had to get labour from other village during last kharif and paid upto Rs 200 per day. If new technology can address weed problem, we can save upto
Rs 4000-5000 per acre and gain higher yields,” he added.
Weeds in cotton fields can cause significant yield loss and ineffective weed management increases the vulnerability of crops to pests and diseases like sucking pests. Cotton growers during the field visit shared that they are ready to pay higher price for new technology that can address weed problem. Most farmers were also abreast with developments in the seed sector.
55 year-old Papireddy of Mariapuram, who has 8 acres under cotton, said, “We have learnt from media that Monsanto is working on a new technology to control weed. We are eagerly waiting to try it in our fields.” Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, has developed the new technology ‘Bollgard-II Roundup Ready Flex’ that offers inbuilt insect protection and weed management, while Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co (Mahyco) has conducted field trials of this technology and is in the process of seeking regulator approval. (PTI) (Source: Tecoya Trend)