by Ashok B. Sharma
Financial Express, 6 Mar 2005
NEW DELHI, MARCH 6: Though GEAC deferred extending approval period for several varieties, it has cleared for commercial cultivation six new Bt cotton hybrids in north India. These are: MRC-6301 and MRC-6304 developed by Mahyco, RCH-134 and RCH-138 developed by Rasi Seed and Ankur-651 and Ankur-2534 developed by Ankur Seed.
The GEAC also allowed large-scale field trials for eight varieties of Bt cotton hybrid - two each of Rasi Seeds and Nuziveedu Seeds, and four of Mahyco.
Out of the four varieties of Mahyco's Bt cotton, two varieties have double Bt genes stacked.
The GEAC action was criticised by farmer leader and the executive chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj Krishan Bir Chaudhary. "Farmers have suffered heavy losses on account of cultivation of approved varieties of Bt cotton, for which the seed company is liable to pay compensation. Without addressing this, how can GEAC give approval for commercial cultivation of six new varieties of Bt cotton?," he said.
Dr Vandana Shiva of Navdanya and Dr Krishan Bir Chaudhary of Bharat Krishak Samaj, along with several other NGOs met the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded withdrawal of Bt cotton from cultivation.
Dr Devendra Sharma said: "It is a scientific fraud to impose Bt cotton on farmers." Dr Suman Sahai of Gene Campaign said: "Bt cotton has failed to deliver the promises. There is no logic in extending the approval period."
