Indian Farmers Continue To Grow HTBt Cotton

Market News

Indian Farmers Continue To Grow HTBt Cotton

Even as the Central government is yet to clear commercial cultivation of Herbicide-Tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton, farmers across the country are continuing to opt for this cotton. According to Maharashtra’s Shetkari Sanghatana, starting July, farmers have decided to go for this cotton. It further said farmers will grow the unapproved HTBt cotton in more than 50% of the area this year. As per the government, people cannot carry, store, sell, or sow unauthorised GM crops. It can lead to imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Maharashtra state has 29% of the total kharif cultivation area under cotton. Out of the total cotton area, farmers cultivated this illegal variety in 25-35% of the area. In Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana too, farmers have grown this illegal cotton. The movement for HTBt cotton began in 2019. It has gained momentum over the years and now an increasing number of farmers are growing this cotton variety despite the government not giving the green signal for cultivation. Farmers are opting for HTBt cotton as its saves cost in weed management. The cotton is herbicide tolerant, so farmers can easily spray herbicides to manage weeds without harming the cotton crop. The herbicide called Glyphosate is banned in some states. Yet, farmers use it. Environmental groups and people against GM crops claim that this herbicide when sprayed on cotton crop field can harm humans and, therefore, should not be allowed for use. The Seed Industries Association of Maharashtra (SIAM) has expressed concern over the sale of illegal HTBt cotton seeds. According to the Executive Director of SIAM, SB Wankhede, “The seed industry is suffering because of the illegal trade of HTBt. We strongly oppose any move to encourage farmers to cultivate banned variety and appeal to the government to act in the matter.”