"The secretary of Andhra Pradesh Raithu Sangham, S. Malla Reddy, said they would launch an agitation against the exploitation by Monsanto and the companies which bought the rights. He said Bt hybrids should not be released into the market until the agriculture university conducted field trials and approved its commercial cultivation."
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No end to woes of Bt cotton farmers
The Hindu, Nov 03, 2004
http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/03/stories/2004110310230300.htm

Cultivation of Bt cotton is in focus once again with complaints coming from Bt cotton farmers in various parts of the State (of Andhra Pradesh).

According to an unofficial estimate, cotton was cultivated in 30 lakh acres this year as against the normal area of 24 lakhs in the State. Out of this, Bt cotton occupied 10 per cent area. Of the Bt cotton farmers, about 5 per cent have bought seed from authorised license-holders of Monsanto company, while the remaining 5 per cent used the seed produced by small time seed organisers in the State.

The licensed Bt cottonseed was sold at Rs.1,500 per packet of 400 grams while unauthorised seed price ranged from Rs. 800 to 1,200. The non-Bt hybrid seed is priced around Rs. 400.

Poor yield

The farmers' experience indicates that the recovery rate of Bt cotton from the serious moisture stress is poor. Though the plant has recovered from stress, the yield after the shock is very poor when compared to non-Bt types. Also, the performance of Bt cotton hybrids varied from one type to other. The performance was reasonably good where the drought tolerant female was chosen for crossing.

The seed producers who developed unauthorised Bt hybrids without holding proper rights from Monsanto, claimed that their Bt hybrids performed better than those of licensed companies as their female varieties were drought resistant.

`Kurnool Bt'

The Bt cottonseed is produced unauthorisedly in Kurnool area, which is known as `Kurnool Bt'. The unauthorised producers said they were willing to buy the rights from Monsanto provided the royalty was reasonable. Now, the Monsanto was demanding a royalty of 70 per cent.

Stir threat

Meanwhile, the secretary of Andhra Pradesh Raithu Sangham, S. Malla Reddy, said they would launch an agitation against the exploitation by Monsanto and the companies which bought the rights. He said Bt hybrids should not be released into the market until the agriculture university conducted field trials and approved its commercial cultivation.