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.
Meeting
on Implications of Bt.Cotton & Its Alternatives
8-9 Feb.2003, Bhatinda
Report
Summary
Even as Monsanto-Mahyco is going to press for their Bt Cotton
varieties to be given approval for commercialization in the northern
states, a two-day meeting held in Bhatinda, Punjab denounced the
lack of support available to other safer and beneficial practices
for tackling problems in cotton cultivation problems.
The meeting - "Implications of Bt. Cotton and its
Alternatives", organized by Kheti Virasat on the 8th and 9th
February in Bhatinda, considered the heartland of cotton growing in
the north India, had over 80 persons participating in the workshop.
These participants were drawn from various professions - agriculture
scientists, senior bureaucrats, policy makers, practicing farmers ,
activists, political leaders, representative of Seed industries and
concerned citizens.
Amongst the distinguished participants and resource persons were Dr
Sompal Shastri (Member, Planning Commission, Government of India),
Mr. Devinder Sharma (Agriculture Trade Policy Analyst, New Delhi),
Dr Bharat Jhunjhunwala (noted Economist and Columnist), Mr. Korah
Mathen (Samvardhan-APIGR, Ahmedabad), Mr. Kapil Shah (Director,
Jatan, Vadodara), Dr Ashesh Tayal (Scientific Advisor, Green peace
India), Mr Naresh Sirohi (Farmer leader, New Delhi), Mr Krishna Bir
Chowdhary (Executive Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj, New Delhi) ,Dr
Kunwarji Bhai Jadhav (National President, Bhartiya Kissan
Sangh),Dr.Kulwant Singh Waradch, JoinDirector, Agriculture, Punjab
Dr.JasbirSinghBains, Dy.Director, Agriculture, Punjab Additionally,
the workshop was attended by farmers who have experience of using Bt
Cotton varieties, either during field trials or through illegal
cultivation. There were also organic cotton growers amongst the
participants.
DAY ONE - 8th February, Saturday
Umendra Dutt, Director of Kheti Virasat, presented the background
and the vision of the meeting. Equating this meeting with the quest
for truth by the Rishis he emphasized that we may have different
opinions but we should committed to the saying let the truth
prevail. "And we have to test our truth on the vision of
sustainable development, sustainable use of natural resources and
conservation of fragile ecology of Punjab. Punjab is already facing
the irreversible adverse impacts of green revolution and now the
promoter and propagandist of this gene- revolution are adopting same
tactics and giving the same logic. More over this gene-revolution
has no transparency and the whole establishment is just brushing
aside their opponents."
"What is surprising is that even though there are glaring
shortcomings in the field trials and the experience is not uniformly
good either in the field trials or elsewhere, the entire research
and regulatory apparatus is only looking at GE technology as the
solution, furthered by the corporate greed of the companies
involved. Many other practices adopted by an organic cultivation
package are neither studied nor supported", said Mr Umendra
Dutt.
Initiating the discussion Dr.Kulwant Singh, Joint Director of
Agriculture, Punjab explained the chronology of decling cotton crop
productivity in cotton belt of Punjab due to various reasons. He
discussed in-detail the steep fall in cotton production that Punjab
had witnessed. Cotton production from 23.50 lack bales in 1992-93
slipped down to 5.95 lack bales during the year 1998-99 in Punjab.
While pointing out the major constraints in the cotton, production
Dr.Kulwant Singh said " The abnormal weather conditions,
cultivation of non-descript varieties and indiscriminate use of
pesticides for the control of American bollworm, White fly and other
pests. Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals has not only reduced the
profit margin but it also has led to soil degradation and
environmental pollution. Besides this, the development of resistance
in insect-pests against the pesticides is posing a major threat to
sustainability of cotton crop.Dr.Singh also pointed out that Mech
12,Mech162 and Mech184 varieties of hybrid cotton of which GEAC and
ICAR had given approval for commercial cultivation has not
recommended by Punjab Agriculture University for cultivation in
Punjab.
Dr Singh further told the house that keeping in view the need of the
Bt.cotton hybrids, the PAU, Ludhiana has conducted the trails of
Bt.Cotton hybrids namely RCH-134, RCH-138, Mech-162 and Mech-915
during Kharif 2002 season. Some farmers also bought the Bt.cotton
seed from Gujarat and other states. While speaking about pest attack
on cotton this year Dr.Kulwant said that the over all attack of
American Bollworm is negligible, this might due to prevailing of
drought like conditions in the state, therefore, there was lesser
spray on the cotton in the genral.
He also spoken on the various problems related to Bt.cotton
cultivation, which are likely to be faced in the future:
1) The Bt.Cotton hybrids (RCH-134, RCH-138, Mech-162 and
Mech-915) which are not tested in Punjab for a long time so it is
difficult to predict about the susceptibility/resistance against
various pests diseases like CLCV.
2) As the market price of the Bt.cotton seed is very high so there
are chances of mixing the Bt.cotton seed with non-Bt.seed.
3)Curing Kharif 2002 the Bt.cotton hybrid is fetching less market
price i.e. about Rs.300-400 per qtl than the other hybrids/varieties
because the fiber length of Bt.Cotton is shorter then other
verities.
4)Farmers are also panic about the side effects of Bt.gene on living
organisms,neighbouring crops etc.
Next speaker was Dr.H.R.Garg Director, Regional Cotton Research
Station of PAU at KotKapura.Dr.Garg gives details of Bt.cotton
trails in Punjab and favors the commercial cultivation of Bt.cotton
with the argument that this will minimize the pest attack namely
American Bollworm and hence will enhance the profit margin of cotton
farmers. He claimed that Bt.cotton is a great success.
After two scientists from government side Shri Davinder Sharma was
invited to present other side of this technological debate.
Shri Devinder Sharma outlined the implications of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) on Indian agriculture and the farming
communities, and explained how genetic engineering is a component of
the global trade regime, all aimed at destroying the foundations of
food self-sufficiency in developing countries. He said that the free
trade paradigm is heavily tilted in favor of the rich and
industrialized countries, which actually are increasing subsidies
for agriculture whereas countries like India have been forced to
open up its market. With the result that India has become an open
field for highly subsidized imports of agriculture commodities. Food
imports have multiplied four times during the past five years
thereby having a negative impact on the farming communities. He
pointed out that going in for genetic engineering technology, which
comes with strong intellectual property rights (IPRs) would only
take away the control over seed from the farmers. It is the
multinational seed companies that will benefit from the entire
exercise. Moreover, there are serious concerns over human and
environmental safety of GM crops and farmers cannot be pushed into a
biological treadmill in future.
He emphasized that many other developing countries have taken bolder
steps related to sustainable and safe technologies. He also pointed
out to another aspect of the Bt cotton controversy saying that the
company is actually charging royalty from the farmers. The hidden
technology fee in the price of Bt.cotton seeds of Mycho-Monsento is
nothing but royalty. The company is charging Rs1600/- for a packet
of 450gms, in which Rs.400/-is the actual price and rest of
Rs.1200/- is the technology fee. This is against the Indian farmers
rights and the farmer organization should protest against it.
After this Shri Korah Mathen spoke about the fundamental
issues in this debate. He discussed the promises made by
Monsento-Mahyco and the reality farmers are facing now. He contented
the myth that Bt.cotton yields higher then others.Shri Mathen argued
that Bt.cotton is not designed for increasing yields, no ingredient
has added, that achieves this. On the other hand it is possible that
when plant energies are diverted or directed towards enhance pest
resistance, other basic characteristics will get less energy inputs
including yield. Even quality parameters, like staple length,
uniformity, maturity, fineness, strength etc may suffer, which can
seriously affect market and industry acceptability .He further
questions the refugee crop area. The equation changes dramatically
as safety recommendation of 20% refugee crop adopted. Even this
compulsion of 20% refugee can increase with time as Bt.resistance
builds up in the target pest population. Shri Mathen further
explained this by a hypothetical assumention. He says if a 20% yield
increase i.e. at 120%. This yield increase can occur only in 80%
non-refugee area. Therefore, net yield stays only 96%.
Razing the issues of company's claim of lesser use of pesticide Shri
Mathen pointed out that Bt-toxin is targeted for ball worms etc, but
what about other pests and disedses? He questions further. Bt-toxin
has engineered against bollworms per se'. NOT, against the entire
spectrum of pests and diseases that afflicts cotton across different
eco & agro-regions .He also talked about the aspect of
contamination, environment and the unwelcome concerns.
Then Dr.Ashesh Tayal, Scientific Advisor, Green Peace presented his
views.
Following Shri Korea some farmers speak about their experiences with
Bt.Cotton.ShriGurprem Singh and Shri Harpal Singh (Both from
Gurudwara MaisarKhana) narrated their observations about
Bt.Cotton.They had bad experience with Bt.While Shri Gurcharan Singh
Siddu (from Muktsar) expressed satisfaction about Bt.cotton. Another
farmer Shri Wazir Singh (from Fazilka) is also happy from
Bt.cotton.Some other farmers had also shared their views with the
house. However, it is observed that farmers are not following
guidelines given by seed companies and seed companies are also not
abiding the norms set by GEAC and ICAR.The farmers in genral did'nt
agree with the concept of refugee area.
DAY
TWO - 9th February, Sunday
ShriSompalShastri, Member, Planing Commission; Dr.KunwarjiBhai
Jadhav, National President, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh and Chief
Agriculture Officers of Six districts of Punjab's Cotton belt also
joined the meeting today.
Dr.KrishanBirChowdery, Executive Chairman, Bharat Kishak Samaj was
the first speaker today. He presented the study done by Members of
Bharat Krishak Samaj on Bt.Cotton.This study was conducted in the
states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujrat.In his address
Dr.KrishanBir also put cost benefit analysis of Bt.cotton vs other
cotton verities.
Next speaker was Shri Kapil Shah, Director, Jatan a Vadodara based
NGO.He talked about NPM i.e.No Pesticide Management. Through his
various transparencies, Shri Kapil established the fact that only
organic farming is the alternative to tackle the problem of rising
pest attack on cotton.
A short question answer session was followed Shri Kapil's
presentation.
Following this, a short film on Bt.cotton experience of Warangal by
Green Peace was screened and Co-ordinator of this presentation
Kumari Kavita Kuruganti had narrated the story behind the film. She
also rase some important issues.
She explained that not only had they found that the GEAC team had
grossly misrepresented farmers' real experiences of growing Bt
Cotton last season, they were completely directed by the company
during their assessment. The fact that this assessment does not
technically lead to any decisions regarding Bt Cotton but still was
fabricated shows the compulsions under which the government seems to
be working, she pointed out.
She then narrated the story of how the Green peace team confronted
the Union Minister of Environment and Forests Mr T R Baalu and had
not received any satisfactory responses from him regarding the
investigation conducted by the team. In fact, the Minister stated
that farmers in this country lie on such matters (crop performance)
to get compensation from the government! What the government
proposes to do to fix the liability on the company in all those
cases where farmers have incurred losses was not clear even now, she
informed.
Dr.Bharat Jhunjhunuwala noted agriculture economist in his address
focused the various other dimensions of Bt.cotton debate. He
expressed his reservation on commercial cultivation of Bt.cotton.
Dr Sompal Shastri delivered his special address. He stressed that
there are many successful cases already established on organic
cotton cultivation which need to be scaled up and pointed out that
with the adoption of GE technologies and consequent threats of
contamination, India would lose out on the trade front too for many
commodities. Shri Sompal discussed the whole issue in various
aspects.
Dr.Kunvarji Bhai Jadhav, who was also former chairperson of Task
force on organic farming of Ministry of Agriculture, presented his
views on organic practices of cotton and alternatives to
Bt.technology for pest management.
Dr.Soham Pandeya (Director, CSV, Wardha) shared his experiences on
the subject. Shri Naresh Sirohi a farmer leader from U.P.also made
his speech at this session.
After this Deputy Director, Agriculture Punjab ShriJasbir Singh
Bains and Chief agriculture officers of five districts respond to
the entire proceedings of the day. While presenting his views Shri
Subash Khurana Chief agriculture officer of Mansa district mentioned
his experience with a farmer growing organic cotton. He told the
house that this farmer is yielding 28 Qtl/Acer with a local verity
of cotton.
The experience and information exchanged during the workshop clearly
brought out the fact that organic farming is less costly,
environment- and health-friendly and hence, more profitable and
sustainable.
Considering the narrow scope, unscientific field trials as well as
mixed experiences obtained in Punjab; the bitter experiences of
considerable extent obtained from Bt Cotton cultivation from other
states; and taking into account the successful practices of organic
cotton cultivation in many parts of our country, the participants
strongly demanded:
· That the government of India and the Government of Punjab put all
their resources, effort and support behind these eco-friendly
practices instead of falling into the corporate trap of GE
technology and of promoting Bt Cotton as the only solution
available.
A consensus statement was issued on the concluding of meeting .As a
follow-up of this meeting a Farmers workshop for Organic Cotton was
also declared. This workshop will be held at Fazilka on 18-19-20th
of April2003.
The meeting ended with many participants pledging their strong
commitment to furthering sustainable farming practices in their own
areas of work.
CONSENSUS STATEMENT
Over 80 persons, drawn from various professions - agriculture
scientists, senior bureaucrats, policy makers, practicing farmers,
activists, political leaders and concerned citizens - met, discussed
and debated on "Implications of Bt Cotton and its
Alternatives" with specific reference to Punjab. The meeting,
spread over 8th and 9th of February 2003, took place under the
auspices of Kheti Viraasat at the Circuit House premises in Bhatinda.
Amongst the distinguished participants and resource persons were Dr
Sompal Shastri (Member, Planning Commission, Government of India),
Mr Devinder Sharma (Agriculture Trade Policy Analyst, New Delhi), Dr
Bharat Jhunjhunwala (noted Economist and Columnist), Mr Korah
Mathen (Samvardhan-APIGR, Ahmedabad), Mr Kapil Shah (Director, Jatan,
Vadodara), Dr Ashesh Tayal (Scientific Advisor, Greenpeace India),
Mr Naresh Sirohi (Farmer leader, New Delhi), Mr Krishna Bir
Chowdhary (Farmer Leader, New Delhi) and Dr Kunwarji Bhai Jadhav
(National President, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh).
The discussions threw up a diverse range of experiences, sometimes
conflicting and confusing yet flowing into an overall common stream
of concerns and consensus. The overwhelming consensus that emrged in
terms of findings, observations and inferences is:
1. The promise and hype that characterized the launch of Bt Cotton
has not been largely bourne out by the reality of experiences from
the field. Various aspects of the promised benefits were examined in
the light of field experiences across different states, and found
wanting.
2. Greater yield was the exception rather than the rule across
experiences from different areas within Punjab, and in other states.
In many cases, yield was almost the same, even without strictly
adhering to the refugia criteria. At other places, yield which
looked promising in the first 90 days even off or tapered down
towards the end
3. Resistance of the crop to the American Bollworm was also uneven.
This effect was more pronounced in the first 90 days, after which it
seems to offer lesser and lesser resistance. Accordingly, the use of
pesticides went down only by a small percentage. On the other hand,
the incidence of this pest has generally been observed to be low
last season all over.
4. It was strongly felt that one season's field trials is too short
a period to evaluate the implications and hence, should not be used
to certify the performance of Bt Cotton. This is especially true
since the last season was highly favorable to cotton growers of any
variety and incidence of pest was lower on all varieties. Also, when
any new variety is endorsed for release only after 3 to 4 year
trials, over different soil conditions and environmental situations
would a closer-to-reality picture emerge, whereas this exception
being made in the case of Bt Cotton of only one season's trials is
unscientific and risky, especially for farmers, whose economic
stakes are under question.
5. Environmental and health parameters were poorly asassessed or
even appreciated or understood. This has dangerous implications and
therefore, the precautionary principle should be made operational
when moving into uncharted areas of action
6. Market economics and behaviour are not currently favorable to Bt
Cotton cultivation. Starting with a seed input disadvantage (Rs
1600/- for Bt Cotton as compared to Rs 400/- for other varieties),
even market acceptance is debatable in view of lower quality output
(lower staple length, appearance, fineness etc., leading to lower
market rates being fetched for Bt Cotton). Other aspects of
socio-economic implications include the higher labour intensity in
Bt Cotton and this in turn impacts the economics once again. This is
a crucial disadvantage for Bt Cotton
7. The experience and information exchanged during the workshop
clearly brought out the fact that organic farming is less costly,
environment- and health-friendly and hence, more profitable and
sustainable.
In the final analysis, the group felt that there existed a wide
range of alternatives and alternate strategies for tackling the
current problems of cotton cultivation which did not compromise on
yield performance or create environmental problems in the medium and
long term. These alternatives would also have implications for
improving the trade opportunities available to our farmers. Organic
farming approaches and practices were shared giving hope and
direction to the future course of action in cotton cultivation.
Considerting the narrow scope, unscientific field trials as well as
mixed experiences obtained in Punjab; the bitter experiences of
considerable extent obtained from Bt Cotton cultivation from other
states; and taking into account the successful practices of organic
cotton cultivation in many parts of our country, the participants
strongly demand:
That the government of India and the Government of Punjab put all
their resources, effort and support behind these eco-friendly
practices instead of falling into the corporate trap of GE
technology and of promoting Bt Cotton as the only solution
available.
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