NEWS FROM INDIA
1.Maharashtra reports Bt cotton failure in 4 Million hectares
2.GM poses threat to value of local crops
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1.Maharashtra reports Bt cotton failure in 4 Million hectares
Vidarbha Times, 24 November 2012 
 http://vidarbhatimes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/maharashtra-reports-btcotton-failure-in.html?m=1
[Editor's note: edited for clarification]
*Thousands of cotton farmers to Council Hall Nagpur on 11th December for compensation

Nagpur - [For the first] time Maharashtra officially admitted that this year's cotton yield is like to lower by 40% from 3.5 million quintal to 2.2 million quintal due to Bt.cotton failure in more than 4 million hectares, a net direct economic loss of Maharashtra cotton farmers to the tune of Rs.6000 crore; whereas accumulated losses likely to cross more than Rs.20,000 crore due to steep rise in cultivation cost vis a vis Bt.cotton seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and labor, hence a Bt.cotton failure which was reported in part of Vidarbha and Marathawada. Now more reports of cotton crop failure have surfaced from Khandesh and north Maharashtra and this crop failure will add fuel to an ongoing agrarian crisis and Maharashtra farmers' suicides numbers are likely to cross over 5000 this year in comparison to around 3500 last year which was the highest among all states of India as per the record of NCRB, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti, an activist group working for rights of farmers since 1997, from a press release today .

“This [is the] third year in row Bt.cotton failure is being reported. Last year Govt. of Maharashtra paid Rs.2000 crore to 4 million cotton farmers as relief compensation and this year, too, the same situation which is forcing cotton farmers kill themselves. Last year Bt.cotton failure was restricted to dry land farmers of Maharashtra but this year even progressive farmers, who have an irrigation facility, are severely effected with a low yield of Bt.cotton whereas cost of cultivation in Maharashtra is averaging out to Rs.50,000/-  per hectare in comparison to Rs.30,000/- per hectare from last year. Maharashtra has a Bt.cotton cultivation, as per official record, of 4.2 million which the largest of all states but has reported the lowest cotton yield of around 5 quintal per hectare since 2006. Now new official estimates are likely to report 3 quintal per hectare which is returning around Rs.12000 per hectare, resulting in more than Rs.38,000 per hectare net loss to debt-trapped and distressed farmers; a serious consideration and white paper on Maharashtra cotton farmer is a must, hence we are marching on 11th December to council hall of which thousands of farmers will participate along with hundreds of widows," Tiwari added.

"More than 5 million cotton farmers of Maharashtra demand Rs.20,000/- pr hectare compensation for Bt.cotton failure, fresh crop loan to every farmer for next khariff season, and food security and free health and education to distressed and debt-trapped farmers along with work in each farmer field under MGREGA-related land development, soil enrichment and watershed development.  Hence this protest; we hope that state will come out with a relief package directly targeting dying farmers, and not benefiting contractors and corrupt politicians," Tiwari urged.
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2."GMO poses threat to GI tag of crops"
Kevin Mendonsa
Times of India, 17 November 2012
 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-17/mysore/35171714_1_bt-cotton-bt-seeds-gmo

MYSORE: The entering of Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) crops into the district poses a threat to Geographical Indication crops, said K N Ramachandra, convener of Southern Action on Genetic Engineering (Sage).

Delivering a talk on "GMO-Free Mysore - Why? And How?", Ramachandra said BT cotton is already grown in HD Kote, Hunsur, and Nanjangud. Further, the poison would extend to Mysore, and pollute soil and the environment there, he added.

MYSORE'S PRIDE

"People in the three taluks have already seen the havoc created by BT cotton. If GMO spreads across the district, it degrades soil, pollutes environment, and poses a threat to bio-diversity. Mysore has GI tag for four items -- Mysore mallige, Iranagere brinjal, betel leaves and Nanjangud banana. They would be under threat when BT crops enter places where GI tag items are grown," he said.

"Farmers get carried away by GMO seeds. But in reality, hybrid seeds yield more, but they consume more water, are expensive to buy, and spoil soil fertility in the long run. They put pressure on natural resources. As the district is facing drought, there is water shortage and it has adversely affected BT cotton growers," he added. "GM crops are even worse. The seeds cannot be regenerated. Only 5-7 companies in the world control seed business. In India, 70% of small farmers contribute to food production," he mentioned.

"Is there any pressure on policy makers in India? Yes, there is pressure on government after BT cotton was allowed and Bt brinjal proposed for farming. American giant Monsanto, which produces 90% of BT seeds in the world, is wooing politicians to encourage GMO crops in the country," he blamed. Speaking on the global scenario, the convener said Canada, America, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina grow them in large quantity. "The intake of GMO food has resulted in health disorders," he added.

Mentioning the disadvantages of GMO, Ramachandra said it snatches farmers' freedom and rights, disturbs bio-diversity, generates poisonous weeds, curtails freedom of scientists, and makes people slaves. "GMO food consumption makes human beings lab rats," he warned.