Cotton production in the country has more than doubled due to the use of Bt cotton seeds, said Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today, batting in favour of the contentious genetically modified crop that is coming under increasing attack from activists and farmers for “stagnant yields, pest resistance and evolution of new pest and disease attacks”.
In response to concerns raised in the Rajya Sabha over low yields due to the hybrid cotton seed, Pawar said cotton production had in fact risen from 164 lakh bales in 2004-05 to 340 lakh bales in 2011-12.
“This is a clear-cut indication that production has increased after the use of Bt cotton. The farmer is getting better yield,” he asserted. Pawar agreed farmers in Dhule district in Maharashtra and Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh had complained regarding yield loss after using hybrid cotton seeds produced and marketed by Bayer Bio-Science Pvt Ltd, but maintained that losses were caused by higher than normal rainfall.
“After investigation, it was found that farmers suffered losses around Rs 45 lakh and the competent authority instructed the company to pay the compensation to affected farmers,” he said.
However, crops only in limited area were affected, Pawar said, adding that “ if we see the total area under the Bt cotton in the entire Dhule, Khargone and nearby districts, the crop was not affected”.
The compensation issue has been challenged by Bayer in the high court.
Leading agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan’s suggestion that companies should give insurance policy along with seeds was struck down by Pawar, who called the idea “not practical”.
Nine states using Bt seeds should make provisions in law that if "something goes wrong…if farmers suffer, there has to be provision where the company pays compensation,” Pawar said.