Report slams Bt cotton
*Shows it gave poor yields in AP
*GEAC decision today
ASHOK B SHARMA
Financial Express, March 04, 2005
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=84306

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3: A report by an expert team led by Andhra Pradesh commissioner and director of agriculture has revealed that Bt cotton has given poor yields in Warangal district and has caused losses to farmers.

The findings have been made available just a day before the genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) is slated to take a decision on whether an extension will be provided to the three varieties of Bt cotton.

Based on the report, district joint director of agriculture M Lakshman Rao has shot a letter to Mahyco Monsanto India asking the company to shell out Rs 2.49 crore as compensation to farmers.

The total compensation has been worked out at the rate of Rs 1,469.25 per acre. As per the MoU signed by the company with the state, compensation should be paid on account of damages done to farmers.

The three varieties of Bt cotton developed by Mahyco Monsanto - Mech-12, Mech-162 and Mech-184 - which have completed three years of commercial cultivation will be reviewed by GEAC on Friday.

Director of Secunderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Dr GV Ramanjaneyulu, who conducted the study with the help of a team of scientists, has been told to present his views before committee.

Managing director MMB Ltd Dr MK Sharma admitted receiving such a communication. He, however, said, "We have appealed before the state agriculture commissioner to reconsider the decision."

Ranjana Smetacek of Monsanto India, on the other hand said, "The study on Bt cotton performance in 2004 conducted by IMRB on behalf of Monsanto will be released within a fortnight. What I can grossly is that farmers income has increased by 60% on account of Bt cotton cultivation. There is an increase in cotton yield by by 58% and costs on pesticide use has been reduced by 50%."

Meanwhile, Vandana Shiva of Navdanya and Krishan Bir Chaudhary of Bharat Krishak Samaj along with several other NGOs met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded withdrawal of Bt cotton from cultivation
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"The choice before the Indian government is very clear. It can end rural poverty, hunger and farm suicides or it can continue to hype GM crops." - Devinder Sharma