EXCERPT: 'ISAAA global coordinator Randy Hautea speaking from Manila admitted that Indonesia and Bulgaria had pulled out from the global race for transgenic crops. The governments in these countries did not extend the approval for transgenic crops as "there was some disasters". Asked if a similar situation would result in India relating to Bt cotton, Dr Hautea refused to comment.

'Commenting on the ISAAA report, PV Satheesh, convenor of the Hyderabad based Deccan Development Society said : "Bt cotton failed to live up to the expectations in the third consecutive year in different parts of south India".'

Note also that the highest percentage growth in Bt cotton cultivation is claimed for Andhra Pradesh - the Indian state in which the highest level of discontent with the crop has been expressed. See "Bt Cotton Fails Yet Again in India - farmers go on rampage"
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4557

For more on ISAAA's questionable reporting in India and elsewhere: http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4790
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Bt cotton area increased by 400% in 2004: report
OUR ECONOMY BUREAU
Financial Express, Saturday, January 15, 2005
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=79754

NEW DELHI, JAN 14: The US-based international service for the acquisition of agri-biotech applications (ISAAA) has estimated that in 2004 area under Bt cotton in India has increased by 400% to be at 500,000 hectare.

India is categorised as a "mega-biotech country" and has recorded the highest percentage increase in area under transgenic crops in the world. The global area under transgenic crops increased by 20% to be at 81 million hectare. India has so far approved a single transgenic crop, Bt cotton.

However, the area of 500,000 hectare under Bt cotton in India is only 11% of the area under hybrid cotton and a miniscule portion of over 10.5 million hectare under cotton cultivation in 2004.

In a teleconference with media on Thursday, ISAAA global coordinator Randy Hautea speaking from Manila admitted that Indonesia and Bulgaria had pulled out from the global race for transgenic crops. The governments in these countries did not extend the approval for transgenic crops as "there was some disasters". Asked if a similar situation would result in India relating to Bt cotton, Dr Hautea refused to comment.

Commenting on the ISAAA report, PV Satheesh, convenor of the Hyderabad based Deccan Development Society said : "Bt cotton failed to live up to the expectations in the third consecutive year in different parts of south India. We have documented our reports based on the findings of agronomists and agri-scientists. We will release our findings soon."

National coordinator in ISAAA south Asia office Bhagirath Chaudhary said : "The highest percentage increase in area under Bt cotton was in Andhra Pradesh, while Maharashtra had the largest area under the crop. About 300,000 farmers cultivated Bt cotton.” Estimated Bt cotton area in AP is 70,000h (1,385% increase), 85,000h in MP (667% increase), 130,000h in Gujarat (320% increase), 205,000h in Maharashtra (945% increase), 18,000h in Karnataka (600% increase), 10,000h in TN (132% increase)."