R&D On Bt Cotton Relegated To Back Seat By Govt. Policy Paralysis

Economy

R&D On Bt Cotton Relegated To Back Seat By Govt. Policy Paralysis

Cultivation of Bt cotton crop in India is facing serious challenges due to government policy paralysis on genetically modified (GM) crops. It may be recalled that way back in 2002, Bollguard I a variety of Bt cotton was approved. Since then there has been only one upgrade to this version in the form of Bollguard II in 2006.

Failure to approve the constant innovations and keep in touch with the latest requirements of Bt cotton crop farmers has engendered a crisis situation. In the current scenario, farmers using Bt cotton are facing growing incidences of pest attacks and stagnation of yields. The situation is so grave that the Bt cotton seed producers have been forced to revisit their technology strategy owing to continued policy paralysis on part of the government.

R&D-focused hybrid seed major, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co (Mahyco), responsible for bringing Bt cotton in India in 2002 in association of with global agriculture giant Monsanto, has strategized itself afresh in order to wade through the headwinds arising due to policy related uncertainty. The company, credited with bringing many first hybrid crops in India, has recently consciously tried to expand its business in other parts of the world including Africa and South East Asia, where recently it has set up centres.

Given the non-conducive policy environment in the country for GM Crops, Mahyco has started looking for other avenues to conduct research and bring farm solutions which are non-GM. These include molecular breeding, gene editing and digital phenotyping which have immense potential to address farm challenges and reduce time in research development cycle.

“Over the last few years, we have substantially ramped up our R&D capability and infrastructure. But now with uncertain policy environment, we are trying to look for other avenues to sustain our growth strategy for future. This is the only way, we will be able to sustain our R&D efforts and help farmers in improving their production and yield,” said Usha Zehr, Chief Technology Officer, Mahyco.

Mahyco is looking to start work on new biotechnology. This particular biotechnology will contribute to molecular breeding by using markers to improve speed and precision. The genomes can be predicted through mathematical models to make more precise decisions. These are not transgenics and Mahyco is interested in pursuing this new line of thought.

Another unique innovation by Mahyco has been the use of microbes to improve crop protection and increase yields. “In the past two years this method has been used for the cultivation of soybean. Farmers are provided with a specific mix of bacteria that help improve resistance in crops. Different combinations of microbes can be used to overcome stress like lack of water etc. Farmers get better yield and crop protection and hence we are providing mixes of bacteria which provide these valuable inputs in a specific manner,” added Zehr.

“There are new breeding techniques like CRISPR-Cas, which are platforms to deliver genetic change and also skip regulatory processes. Reason is that the change can be made without adding extraneous genes. Mahyco has been using this technique for the past two years which can make specific changes in genome. By using this technology, we are trying to develop more disease resistant crops,” a Mahyco official disclosed.

Meanwhile, the uncertain policy environment has encouraged proliferation of illegal market for GM seeds/crops. In order to improve the yield, the farmers are increasingly using GM cotton seeds which are not approved by the authorities. Recently, extensive cultivation of unapproved genetically-modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton has come into light. The Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), (Nagpur) has found six of nine cottonseed hybrids testing positive for herbicide tolerance.

Delhi-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) has claimed that the illegal market is worth about Rs 472 crore. As per SABC, about 35 lakh packets of illegal HT cotton hybrids were sold this kharif season across Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra, Odisha, Karnataka and MP. Around 8.5 lakh hectares or 7% of the total cotton growing area are under such cotton crop.