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Paper
presented at Kheti Virasat's meeting on Bt.Cotton at Bhatinda on 8-9
Feb.2003
BHARAT KRISHAK SAMAJ
(FARMERS' FORUM INDIA)
Executive Chairman
A-1, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi-13
Dr.KRISHAN BIR CHAUDHARY
Tel: Fax.No24359509, Tel.No.24359508
Former Chairman, State Farms Corporation of India
E-mail: bksnd@vsnl.net
Director, NAFED.
MEETING ON BT. COTTON AT BHATINDA
(Sponsored : Kheti Virasat,)
8-9th February, 2003
Distinguish Delegates, Persons From the Faculty of Bio-Technology
and the Protectors of Bio-Diversity - "It is my great privilege
to be invited here by Shri Umendra Dutt, Director, Kheti Virasat for
a meeting on BT. Cotton and for this I must thank Shri Umendra Dutt
:
Remember that there is a Chinese saying - 'SEEING IS BELEIVING' -
and that is why, what we had seen on the farmers farm this season on
the Bt-cotton is different than what was told about the Bt. cotton
when it was made ready for the sale.
Several farmers and fields we visited did not show commended
performance of the BT cotton crops, this season. At number of sites
the Bt-cotton trials have failed in Yeotmal Dist; Chandrapur Dist;
Gadhchiroli Dist; Wardha Dist; some in Amravati and Nagpur areas and
also Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat state. Therefore, a review of
the BT cotton trials and their performance all over the country is
very much needed by the expert group in the country which may give a
clear picture about the Bt-cotton in India. This will help the
future research planning for the BT research in India.
Questionable performance of the BT-cotton has been found on farmers
farms and official version as reported quoting Mr. T. Ballu.
Environment Minister in Rajya Sabha is at variance with what we
personally observed during our field visit.
BT
Cotton gets expert' approval Times News Network, 7th Dec, 2002
The official verdict on genetically modified GM, insect resistant Bt
cotton is out. Its performance had been found satisfactory,
environment minister T. Balu told the Rajya Sabha.
But how about the several failed Bt cotton trials all over? Who
should be responsible for the failure? The
Bt-seeds or the seed companies who supplies the seed or the agencies
who approved the sale of the Bt-seeds?
We will highlight the reactions of several affected farmers, those
planted the BT-cotton with the hope that, very high yields will be
obtained and the input costs of the chemicals will be saved.
The agencies that give the approval for the Bt cotton had probably
ignored that bad results obtained from the Bt trials and now these
bad Bt results are very important, as they will assist the future
Bt-research in India. The authority that gives the approval for such
GMO to be grown by the farmers of India should see all the data from
the sites.
Let we assure you that we are not totally against the GMO technology
but we are against the way the Bt-cotton seeds spreaded in the
country without adequate studies in India and now this may affect
the environment safety of the nation. It has been observed that, no
one try to discuss about the Bt cotton which have failed at the
several places in the year 2002 as reported from Maharashtra state,
Gujarat and M.P.
The main purpose that the Bt-cotton is designed to protect the
cotton crop against the dreaded bollworm-but the results obtained so
far are not in full agreement, with this purpose. In the year 2002
at several places the Bt-cotton trails have failed and many farmers
have suffered heavy losses. These failed Bt results will
however guide the nation\'s future Bt-research and therefore these
failed BT-trials results should not be ignored. In fact these failed
results will be useful to develop the future useful technologies for
the small farmers of India.
Besides, the insects resistance may be soon developed via. Gene
mutation and then the real question is: why we should spend more on
this questionable technology which may also affect the environment
if not handled wisely. It is worth mentioning that, at several
places this year, the non Bt-cotton varieties gave good results than
the BT-cotton planted in MS, Gujarat and M.P.
The Bt results have shown that, the need of the hour is less
expensive, eco-friendly, indigenous agricultural practices and the
use of bio-pesticides and bio-manure? Besides the Bt-cotton crops
use kill not only the bollworm, they also harm bees; silkworms;
butterflies and some soil organisms.
The bio-safety issue is very important and cheaper and safer ways
are available as: the IPM for controlling insects and organic
farming are labor intensive, and they will create more jobs in the
rural areas for the poor. The Bt-seeds, fertilizers and chemicals
are expensive for the small farmers and therefore, to reduce the
input costs is very essential. We should not be part of
that-technology - which will damage our civilization and also
negatively affect the mankind.
Plant science research and hybrid technology has many significant
contributions, and one of the most important of these has been in
the field of agriculture crop production. There has been a marked
improvement in agriculture production, especially during the past 25
years, all over the world, although yet much remains to be done.
India became the second largest producer of sugarcane, the fifth
largest producer of potatoes, production of other crops like apple,
grapes and tomatoes etc. have also seen a major increase. All these
development was possible due to plant genetic diversity and research
and now these plant genetic diversities will be required as in the
past, to provide the raw material for the future development of crop
varieties for mankind. It has been viewed that no matter how
advanced the modern technologies may be, the basic fabric of our
life is wedded with the biological webs of our life support system
and in improving the value of our biological wealth the role of
plant science and their relevance to Biodiversity, Conservation and
Biotechnology" matters a lot.
There is a growing worldwide realization that plant, animal and
microbial biodiversity is fundamental to agriculture production and
food security, as well as a valuable ingredient of environment
conservation. The reduction in diversity has often increased
vulnerability to climate and other stresses, thereby affecting the
stability of agriculture crop output. Hybrid varieties,
homogenization of varieties and inbreeding increase vulnerability to
insect pests and diseases which devastate the crop. Serious economic
losses were sometimes attributed to uniform monoculture. Genetic
variability therefore be regarded as important factors for providing
stability to farming systems for providing insurance against
changing environmental conditions and embodying characteristics that
are potentially valuable, Therefore, a major global emphasis is for
conservation of crop genetic resources, which includes their
preservation and protection in a scientific state, including the
sustainable utilization of germ plasm.
Use of technology in crop science has importance in today\'s world
because it can help improving productivity and quality. Though no
technology is full proof, the public fears on genetically modified
crops and food should not be totally ignored and the use of
bio-diversity and biotechnology will have its impact in the 21st
century across the world as this technology has the capacity to
develop mankind\'s life but also has the capacity to destroy it,
hence its use should be under control. The health and environmental
rights of the consumers should be protected.
"Let the Noble Thoughts come form all over" and not only
the limited good Bt-results to be made known, we need to study all
the results, to draw good conclusions.
Therefore, our (the authors) experience with the BT-cotton trials in
the year 2002 in M.P., Gujarat and Maharashtra states, need to
be fully understood. Based on the discussion with the very large
number of farmers in Maharashtra and M.P., we feel that, Indian
farmers are not given the right technology for saving their high
input costs and at several places, farmers are committing suicides.
We have seen the results of the GREEN REVOLUTION in India.
The Green Revolution experience has taught us that no technical
revolution can lead us to victory over malnutrition. On the
contrary, the complexity of the techniques developed, their highly
technical nature and the high cost can only further marginalise the
world\'s small farmers and the ecological impact of these
monocultures, based on fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation and
mechanization is considerable and constitutes a threat to food
security.
Transgenic (GMO's) crops are developed on the basis of the Green
Revolution\'s high - yield varieties but it will worsen the food
problem due to an even greater degree of technicality, an increase
in the quantity of herbicides used and a greater concentration of
seed and chemical suppliers.
Now we are going away from GREEN REVOLUTION to "GENE
REVOLUTION" and many new transgenic plants, seeds and animals
are being produced. A day may come when our farmers would have to
depend on genetically engineered seeds only, but the doubt exist
whether such seeds will suit for sustainable agricultural
practice free from chemical poison. Therefore, the genetically
modified organisms GMOs should be carefully researched and monitored
to ensure that the hazards to our farmers and environment do not
occur.
TRANSGENIC Cotton and Farmer's Reactions:
Experience with the Genetically Engineered BT cotton in 2002 rainy
season in Madhya Prddesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat States.
The purpose of BT cotton crop (transgenic crops) was to save and
protect the environment and to avoid several damaging expensive
insecticide sprays But Looking at the experiences at several places
in 2001 and 2002 seasons in Maharashtra state in the Vidarbha
region, in M.P. and in Gujarat State showed that, the purpose for
which the seeds were developed was not fully solved. And in this
report some of the experiences are quoted. The authors had seen some
trials and had visited several farmers in these areas.
The purpose to save the costly insecticides this year in 2002,
failed and instead the expensive sprays were needed to save the Bt
cotton crops planted by the farmers in M.P.; Maharashtra, (Vidarbha
region) and Gujarat state and several other locations in the
country.
At the famous BABA AMTE's Anandvan farm at Warora, in Chandrapur
Dist. (Maharashtra). In Yeotmal Dist., at Samudrapur in Wardha Dist,
at Wani in Chdarapur Dist and at Dhapewada in Nagpur Dist. and
elsewhere in the Gujarat state, the several Bt trials on the farmers
fields gave very upsetting results. These results contradicted for
which the transgenic BT-Cotton varieties were developed and released
for production.
BT Cotton - EXPERIENCE AT - BABA AMTE's ANANDWAN FARM- Warora Dist.
Chandrapur:
An Interview with Dr. Palarpawar and his team in Warora on
October 29, 2002.
A team of scientists and farmers visited the famous BABA AMTE's
Anandwan farm. This team included: DR. P.T. Shukla - a Geneticist
and former Head, Dept. Boatany Gujarat University; Dr. C.S.
Chaudhary - Associate Dean PKV Nagpur, Dr. Bhagvat - PKV Nagpur; Dr
R B Thakare - Farmers Forum (Bharat Krishak Samaj) New Delhi -
Geneticist Mr. N.S. Ole Patil - President Bharat Krishak Samaj -
Maharashtra State-Jalgaon and some farmers, and a special visitor Dr
Afsar H. Jafri Dy. Director (Research Foundation for Science,
Technology and Ecology) New Delhi.
This team visited the farm where the transgenic Bt cotton was
planted. The team also had discussions with the research staff at
the Anandwan agriculture college, where apart from Dr. Palarpawar,
the other scientist present were:
Prof. B M Chandore-Head Entomolgy; Prof MV Pusaddekar Head,
Agronomy; Prof. P S Neharkar Incharge Biotechnology; Dr. Dhanorkar.
After the visit to the BT-cotton farm, the team also paid a courtesy
visit to Shri BABA AMTE and his Doctor son, Vikas Amte, who is the
in charge of the various activities at the famous Anandwan at Warora.
Dr. Palarpawar and his staff there had narated us their experience
with the Bt cotton variety labeled as - MECH 162 at the Anandwan
farm.
The BT cotton (MECH 162) experiment at Warora Anandwan Farm
planted by Dr Palarpawar, had kept all the records on this trials
for the investigation. They had purchased the Bt seed cotton of seed
(Sr. No. 026264 Cotton hybrid MECH - 162 BT. Lot No. K01-66-29 ctq
84093 Date of Test: 13..05-2002 Valid up to: 12.02.2002 with MRP Rs.
1600. The transgenic seeds of MECH-162 Bt in composite can contain
Cryl Ac gene and nptil and aad marker genes. GEAC approval D.O. no.
10/1/2002 - CS dated April 5, 2002).
From the seed purchases to planting, weeding, spraying, watering and
harvesting etc., all these operations were carried out during the
crop growing season. The harvesting of the cotton from about this
one acre farm was in progress, when the team visited the site. Dr.
Palarpawar said that, he has so far, for all these operations listed
above, had spent about Rs.11000.00 on this Bt experiment. And what
they expect from this Bt experiment is about Rs.5000.00 in return
after the harvest. Yet the transport cost of the cotton was not
included in the total amount spent so far.
He had to spray the BT and non-Bt trial's several times as the
attack of BOLLWORM and sucking pest was severe. They had collected
and killed several thousands bollworms from this Bt and non Bt
cotton farm in September 2002. This Bollworm eats into BT cotton\'s
pride - a report was published by Mr Abhiram Ghadal Patil, (a
reporter who works for the famous English News Paper called
"The Hitawada") on Thursday, October 10, 2002 Vol LXXXVIII
No 249.
The Bt cotton variety MECH-162 planted this year may give yields
only up to 4.5 to 5 Q/acre. This yield may give them about Rs. 5000,
but the cost they had spent is over Rs. 11,000.00 and one can see a
loss of over 6000 per acre from this experiment - said : Dr
Palarpawar, who is the Principal and Dean of Agriculture at Anandwan.
Dr. Palarpawar further said that, there was no significant
difference with the transgenic cotton with that of non-Bt cotton at
Warora farm and a local variety NANDED 44 planted near by was
better than the BT-cotton planted there. Very similar results were
seen at the other locations in Madhya Pradesh, in Padhurna area and
in Wani, Samudrapur in Wardha Dist.
A farmer at Dhapewada near nagpur (Mr. R.R. Pawar) - said that"
he had planted the Bt cotton last year and what he could get was
only about 2 Q/acre but the local other cotton varieties gave him
yields about 5 to 6 Qacre last year.
FARMERS REACTION TO THE TRANSGENIC COTTON CROP in M.P. and
Maharashtra State
Farmers contacted at the COTTON FIELD DAY conducted in M.P. were:
Raju Gharpure; Vijay Nakade, Devilal Paradkar and Nandu Bande. They
were interviewed by the team of the Bharat Krishak Samaj, in October
2002.
We visited this areas with some very famous cotton experts like :
Dr. Basu, former Director CICR,
Dr Iyer-Cotton Consultant, Dr R.T. Gahukar EX-UNDP/FAO entomologist
and cotton experiment advisor and some visitors from the Government
agencies of M.P. and Maharashtra states. But it is not the experts
reactions but only the farmers reactions to the Bt cotton crop grown
there. When Mr. Ganpati Mudhru (who works in Delhi with the
Telegraph newspaper, requested for our reactions to the Bt crop
grown this year, then, this is what-we said to him - "Mr.
Mudhur- we will not give you-our reactions - but we will rather
check with the farmers - who grew the BT cotton They said they will
not plant the transgenic Bt-cotton next season because the cost of
seed is too high for them. Besides, the BT-cotton also had the
attack of the American Bollworms and the sucking pests attack was
more on their crops. Despite the protective Bt-cotton expensive
seeds were planted, the crop needed expensive insecticides sprays.
The difference between the Bt-cotton and non Bt cotton was not
significant and the other cotton varieties planted near by namely
Dhanno, and Binny etc. had better yields with and without sprays in
their areas. Then why go for the expensive Bt cotton?
Nandu Bande- a farmer who planted the BT cotton and also had some
other non Bt cotton had to spray both the Bt-cotton and non Bt with
the insecticides. His Bt and non Bt was very similar in performance.
His non Bt cotton fields near by were better than the Bt cotton and
the varieties were: Dhanno and Binny.
Some more reactions:
Chandur Bazar Tehsil in Amravati Dist:
Several farmers were visited by the authors in Amravati Dist. and
few named below who had planted the Bt-cotton in 2002 season told us
that, on an average they spent about Rs. 9000 per acre on their
Bt-cotton as inputs costs for the crop production and what they may
get will be in between Rs 4000 to Rs. 5000 per acre, as return?
Dr. Subash Kale at Talegaon; Baburao Nandurkar at Tondagon;
Balasaheb Bhujbal at Chandur Bazar told that, no officer from the
seed company visited their farm during the crop growing season, the
Bt cotton planted was: MECH 162 AND 182.
Achlapur tahsil: Mr. Hore near Bhilona :-
They do not know what is responsible for the Bt-cotton failure at
their sites, whether, it is the seed or the technology? They need
the answers as they thought by planting the Bt-cotton they will get
more yields and thus will make more profit but it is the other way
as they have found from their Bt cotton crop, in the year 2002.
We must find the answers to these questions?
Dhapewada in Nagpur Division:
Mr. Tidke told me that, the Bt planted at his farm was not good as
compared to the non-Bt cotton varieties planted and the net return
from the non Bt cotton will out yield the Bt-production on his farm.
Wardha Dist:
Mr. R.S. Nikhade from Samrudrapur area said his Bt cotton did not
give him good return.
Yeotmal Dist:
Bandu Dhande in Wani tahsil; Mr Yengatiwar Zari Taluka; Mr. Suresh
Mankar Zari Tahsil; Mr Barde Zari Tahsil; Mr. Tukaram Thengre
Zari Tahsil Mr. Rajiv Thakare at Both,
Mr. Patil, Pandharkawada Taluka planted about 100 acre of Bt-cotton,
and they told me in Nagpur meeting on Dec. 28th 2002, that on an
average they spent about 11,000 to 13,000 Rs. per acre and mentioned
that beside the wilt which damaged the Bt cotton, they found that
the BT-gene expression was very poor on BT cotton planted.
Mr. Narsinghrao at Padhuri Pandarkawada;
Mr. Raju Saturwar Pandharkawada
Chandrapur
Dist:
Mr. Pravin Naikwar and Mr. Radavrao Nainwar, Dhanora Road,
Dadchiroli (Tel: 07132-32692)
He was ex-BDO and had planted the Bt-cotton on his farm and did not
get good results from the Bt-cotton and now decided to grow Soya
bean and Mirachai rather than the Bt cotton on his farm.
Most of the these farmers who had grown the Bt cotton with the view
that they will get good returns but it did not happen that way and
our question is who should be held responsible for their losses? TO
WHOM
THEY
BLAME FOR THEIR LOSSESS?
That is why we give more importance to these failed Bt cotton trials
at several places and these results and the farmers reactions should
not be ignored?
Therefore in the summary we wrote these comments after our visit to
BT- cotton grown sites:-
India use annually nearly Rs. 3200 crores worth of chemicals which
include pesticides for control of mosquitoes and herbicides. Nearly
60% of the insecticides are being used for control of these
Lepidopteron insects and out of the total pesticide in India nearly
54% are used on cotton fibber alone. Bollworm complex is by far the
most damaging and loss-inducing pest of cotton. American bollworm
emerged as a key pest all over the country causing as high as 80%
loss in cotton. The crop failure in 1987, 1990, 1992, 1997, 2001 and
2002 are exclusively due to American bollworm in cotton and nearly
Rs. 416 crore economic losses have been estimated due to this pest
in only one state, Andhra Pradesh in 1987-88 copping season. The Bt
cotton technology, which was, developed in the released cotton
varieties to check the heavy insecticides use did not show very
promising results in M.P., Maharashtra and Gujrat in the year 2002,
where the authors have visited.
1. The development of BT cotton did not solve this problems
completely as was claimed therefore, one has to be sure how such
expensive technology to be adopted for the farmers of India.
2. Not much difference is seen with the GMO cotton and non-Bt cotton
in yields. (Warora field trials gave 4.5 to 5.0Q/acre yields in both
the cases).
3. Like the non Bt cotton, the Bt cotton planted had the attack of
the bollworms and sucking pests and in some cases the pests damages
were more on the Bt crop at some farms visited in M.P. and in
Vidarbha farms.
4. The Bt cotton planted had to be sprayed like the non-Bt cotton
planted, as the attack of bollworms and other insects attack were
seen in the 2002 rainy season.
5. The cost of Bt seed Rs. 1600 for 450 grams was too high for the
farmers compared to other non Bt cotton seed which cost about
Rs.300 to Rs 400 for 1000 grms. Despite high cost seed, the Bt
cotton needed expensive sprays therefore farmers interviewed said,
they will rather plant the non Bt and local good cotton varieties
and hybrids than the expensive Bt-cotton seeds next season.
This was in summary of the farmer's reaction to the Bt cotton
planted in M.P. and in Vidarbha areas of Maharashtra states in 2002.
China has banned biotechnology companies like Monsanto and Syngenta
from investing in the development of genetically modified strains of
corn, soybeans and rice seeds.
If India were to follow the Chinese example in biotechnology, why
not also ban Monsanto, Syngenta and the likes? Field tests in China
have also established that insect pests have quickly overcome the
resistance offered by genetically modified crops. If that were so,
what is the relevance of making such huge investments in
biotechnology?
Recent reports published in the 'FARMERS FORUM' in Vol.2 No.9,
September 2002 and in October 2002 have cautioned against Bt
cotton and mustard.
In the global scene it is well known that there is enough food for
all but the Trans National Corporations (T.N.C.s) are instrumental
in destroying local cultures, exploiting food production and mineral
resources, and leaving countries with less food, unmanageable debt
and subservient to foreign masters. Our concern is not directed
against scientific research, or against all technology, it is
against the headlong rush to apply biotechnology for commercial
gain.
The technology can travel from "MENDEL to WATSON and
CRICK"-but it should not go to the bad hands, only to make
profits?
GMO-the Benefits and Risks
We wish to speak about benefits and risks.
1. GM has a level of risk and unpredictability which is far greater
than is acknowledged by those in favour of this technology, and that
there exists a campaign to influence authorities and public opinion
in favour of accepting GM, by downplaying and by trivializing and by
discrediting the risks.
But seeing is believing - and what we have seen in - M.P., and in
Maharshtra and at the Anandwan farm is the failure of transgenic
crop experiments, and we should not ignore these real facts.
We should be open minded and if the new technology does not solve
the problems then we should not be afraid to say so, that,
this technology needs revision and some more work is needed to make
if fit to suit out needs.
3. On the GMO's we have all heard of the increased yields, reduced
pesticide demand, increased vitamins, longer shelf life, medicinal
prospects, and deliverance from hereditary scourges but in real
terms we need to check its viability and Eco friendly nature and
therefore GMO's promotion without adequate tests is a crime against
humanity.
4. Some time people report only good data which suit their need but
a comprehensive data and research is needed to prove the technology
because it rests to a large extent on what is as yet unknown, and if
not proven worthy, masses are affected.
While it is possible to imagine a wide range of benefits from
biotech, it is also possible to imagine adverse outcomes that far
outweigh any conceivable benefit. What protection is there against
such outcomes? The greatest danger in GM lies in the determination
of its proponents to aggressively dismiss evidence which calls for
caution or which threatens their objective.
5. Transparency is the key and one most significant fact to emerge
is the unreliability of so called scientific fact and we feel that
risk assessment in the area of GM is so undeveloped, so untested as
to be valueless. There is no way in which risks, which will exist in
perpetuity, however \'minimal\', can be reliably balanced against
perceived immediate gains.
Human Health
Human health is not something that exists in isolation. It is
intimately connected to our environment "Good Health comes from
the Soil".
Ethics
A) Pro Agro's inferior GM mustard variety to be released soon?
B) Bollworm attacks Bt Cotton in Gujarat -- Gujarat Samachar
Environmental and Health Implications of Genetically modified
Mustard (Health Risks)
Human Consumption
GM mustard will increase the herbicide residue in food
Environmental Concerns:
GM mustard will cause genetic pollution by transferring their genes
to related plants. One of the dangerous consequences of GM mustard
is that herbicide resistant genes could turns weeds into super
weeds, which would become more difficult to control, and would
therefore demand greater pesticide usage. In Canada, three super
weeds have already been created in
Canola (rapeseed), chances of many super weeds developing in India
are greater given the small farm size and the available
biodiversity.
Cross Pollination
Effects of genes flow to close relatives; Unintended effects on
non-target species:
Although laboratory studies have reported damage to the larvae of
monarch butterfly feeding on the pollen from Bt plants, no studies
have shown an actual negative effect on butterfly densities. Further
research is needed, however, before any conclusions can be reached.
Increased
weediness:
GM
crops are a threat to our Diversity, Harmful Effects of Glufosinate,
Corporate Monopoly
Multinational companies see gene modification as an effective
instrument by which they can create a demand and establish corporate
monopoly. The strategy is simple:
Given the risk associated with genetic engineering and the
widespread concern for human health and the environment, we need to
answer the question, "Who will benefit from this
technology?"
Agrochemical multinationals or "life science" companies as
they prefer to be known, claim that all their work keeps in mind the
best interests of the farmer. At the same time, they are not wasting
any time to patent genes used in the manufacture of these GMOs. With
the assistance from the authorities they can make the farmers
dependent by producing expensive seeds by the name of so called new
GM technology. Farmer around the world and in India in particular
with this context are being pressured by the MNC's to grow
genetically engineered crops. But we should know now what are
possible downsides for them? For the environment, Socio-economic
impact, health, their independence, their traditional export crops
and access to the market places.
Furthermore, these large corporations are also marketing their
herbicides worldwide. The very herbicides that need to be sprayed on
the genetically engineered herbicide tolerant plants. First create
the problem and then market the solution. These MNCs know that by
seizing control of the world\'s staple crops, there are enormous
profits to be made. Who will own liability for the environmental
harm caused by the release of GM Mustard in India?
Bollworm attacks Bt cotton in Gujarat
The news published by Gujarat Samachar, dated 21st Sept. 02) it was
mentioned that bollworms started attacking the Bt cotton producing
districts of Gujarat namely Bhavanagar, Surendranagar and Rajkot.
Newspaper also reports that the area under Bt Cotton is about 18,000
hectares (while the Central Govt. had permitted 12,000 hectares)
which means cultivation in 6000 hectares was illegal. The report of
damage is surprising to authorities & scientists as well.
Farmers had purchased seeds of Bt Cotton from various unofficial
sources. As there are not enough regulation and mechanism to monitor
the GM crop in Gujarat, farmers have been sowing F2 and F3 seeds and
even spurious seeds for the past 2 to 3 years. In such a case,
chances and speed of development of resistance to Bt toxin in
bollworms are going to be much higher.
In Conclusion:
Looking at all the details information on the GMO\'s from the
various groups, such as the farmers from Maharashtra state, Madhya
Pradesh and Gujarat state, large number farmers representatives, the
Bharat Krishak Samaj; the Scientists from the Universities and farm
experts from India and abroad, it is clear that we should assist and
guide our farmers on future Bt research in India.
The government; agencies and farming communities should help in
bringing this new technology (GMO) under the democratic control, and
more clear transparency is needed. The following points need
consideration:-
1. It is very necessary that the masses should be informed about the
GMO\'s and new transgenic crops.
2. The GMO\'s not to be sold without enough technical results and
the sold GMO\'s should always to be proved equal to the promises
made by the investors. That means we are not against the new useful
eco friendly technologies.
3. Because some GMO producers (ex. Monsanto) are also major
producers of chemicals inputs such as new herbicides, therefore the
MNC\'s transparency is very necessary and we feel there should be
complete transparency on the part of the approving government
agencies and the corporations those issue the clearances.
4. The right of farming communities should be fully protected within
the frame work of both with the national and some useful WTO
policies and farmers should be encouraged through the Universities
and with the assistance from the national institutions to
preserve and use their local and traditional seeds.
5. The excessive use of insecticides, costly fertilizers to be
discouraged and some useful eco friendly bio-degradable products to
be made available from the MNC\'s and Universities research
programme. Useful bio-technology products and crop varieties should
be given to the marginal farmers on affordable price.
6. Few powerful biotech MNC\'s should not control the main seed
business for the small and marginal farmers of India and similar
under developed countries of this world.
Our Indian farmers who are in big numbers and are still illiterate
and unaware of this new GMO technology should be made aware
regarding the uses and misuses of the GMO\'s (transgenic cops) and
the patent laws which affect them.
After the \"GREEN REVOLUTION, it is now - the GENETIC
REVOLUTION-\" that may create a new wave in agriculture and in
a long range it will affect our millions of small farmers not only
in India but all over the world. Therefore, the government agencies
and the NGO\'s and several others agencies in India and abroad,
should play a major role. The policy makers both at the national and
state levels should think about the betterment of their farmers and
their rural communities and the government policy makers should
study the details of new GMO\'s before they are cleared for
cultivation.
Thanking you,
This paper has been presented as a teamwork of Bharat Krishak Samaj,
New Delhi. Team Members are:-
Dr. R.B. Thakare, Crop Geneticist and Ex-Advisor, World Bank/ADB,
Nagpur (Res.)
Dr. P.T. Shukla, Geneticist & Ex-Head, Division of Botany,
Gujarat Agricultural University, Nagpur (Res.)
Dr. M.S. Kairon, Ex-Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research
and President KVSS, Nagpur
Mr. N.S. Ole-Patil, President, Bharat Krishak Samaj, Maharashtra
State, Jalgaon
Dr. Krishan Bir Chaudhary, Executive Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj,
New Delhi.
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