Feb 14, 2013 - Ahmedabad
Farmers in Gujarat, and also in Punjab, continue to use 'roundup ready' (RR) variety of Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Cotton, which is yet to receive approval for usage from Government of India. "Someone would've got the seed from USA or any other country where it is used," opines an expert, on condition of anonymity. "If you are a major seed developer, it's not difficult to develop the seed variety as the gene is already with you.
The use is illegal but farmers are using it," he added. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), which functions under ministry of environment and forest, Government of India, is the body that approves manufacture, usage, export and import of genetically-modified organisms or cells. The sanction for commercial sale of RR variety of Bt Cotton and its upgraded RR Flex by Monsanto is still pending with GEAC. "There is no clearance for commercial use of RR or RR Flex Bt Cotton from GEAC," said Dr Arjula Ramachandra Reddy, former co-chairman of GEAC.
"Trials for the same are still on. If someone is using it, it is illegal." According to information available with this correspondent, farmers are using RR and RR Flex Bt Cotton from last four years. Experts believe that use of these varieties can damage fertility of soil in the long run. "Monsanto had developed a variety of cotton, known as 'roundup ready' or RR, in 1970s," informs Dr Thobhan Dholariya, agriculture scientist and producer of 'doctor' brand of Bt Cotton.
"The variety hasn't got approval for commercial sale in India. Second-field trials are yet to be allowed but farmers are using it (RR) illegally." The RR variety is used for managing of weeds growing in and around cotton plants. "Weeds are unwanted plants around crops drawing nourishment from nutrients of the soil and this sometimes hampers growth of crops," explained Dholariya. "RR has a gene which protects the cotton crop from herbicides (used for weeding)," he added. (Source: daily.bhaskar.com)