Strict quality control on Bt cotton seeds
Plan panel suggests strict quality control on Bt cotton seeds.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: A fact finding team of the Planning Commission has recommended strict quality control on Bt cotton seeds sold in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.
Although it did not make any specific suggestion to reduce use of Bt cotton seeds in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, the fact finding team observed that net returns under Bt cotton are higher under irrigated conditions and recommended strict control on this variety of seeds, Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said in a written reply.
Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University has published the details of Bt cotton production technology, its mode of action, benefits and precautionary measures to guide the farmers for the cultivation of Bt cotton, he said.
Bhuria also said that in view of the positive impact in cotton production due to control of boll worms, the area under Bt cotton has increased from 0.29 lakh hectares in 2002-03 to 34.61 lakh hectares during 2006-07 in the country.
He also informed the lower house that there was no proposal before the government for contract farming of cotton in cotton producing areas of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra.
The Minister said: "However, farmers in Yavatmal district of Vidarbha region are reportedly engaged in the contract farming of organic cotton under an arrangement between Eco Farms and Vidarbha Organic Farming Association."
Farmers in Tamil Nadu also have an agreement with Super Spinning Mills Ltd for contract farming of cotton.
The Cotton Corporation of India has also taken up projects for contract farming in various areas of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, but there are no reports regarding the review of success of these projects, the Minister said.
Although it did not make any specific suggestion to reduce use of Bt cotton seeds in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, the fact finding team observed that net returns under Bt cotton are higher under irrigated conditions and recommended strict control on this variety of seeds, Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said in a written reply.
Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University has published the details of Bt cotton production technology, its mode of action, benefits and precautionary measures to guide the farmers for the cultivation of Bt cotton, he said.
Bhuria also said that in view of the positive impact in cotton production due to control of boll worms, the area under Bt cotton has increased from 0.29 lakh hectares in 2002-03 to 34.61 lakh hectares during 2006-07 in the country.
He also informed the lower house that there was no proposal before the government for contract farming of cotton in cotton producing areas of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra.
The Minister said: "However, farmers in Yavatmal district of Vidarbha region are reportedly engaged in the contract farming of organic cotton under an arrangement between Eco Farms and Vidarbha Organic Farming Association."
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Farmers in Tamil Nadu also have an agreement with Super Spinning Mills Ltd for contract farming of cotton.
The Cotton Corporation of India has also taken up projects for contract farming in various areas of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, but there are no reports regarding the review of success of these projects, the Minister said.
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