Nagpur: With 16 tonnes seized by the police in Wardha on Thursday, this is dubbed to be the biggest haul of the unauthorized herbicide tolerant (HT) cotton seeds in the entire state.
Nearly 10 years ago, Mahyco-Monsanto withdrew from trials of this genetically engineered variety which are made to be resistant to glyphosate based weed killers. Yet the seeds continue to be available in the grey market. The latest cache shows that though illegal, the material remains in demand among farmers though it has come down over the years.
This year, seeds were seized in Yavatmal and Amravati, apart from other small hauls in eastern Vidarbha, including Gadchiorli. Experts say this shows that farming without glyphosate cannot be ruled out. It is difficult to manually carry out de-weeding operations because of shortage of farm hands and high wages.
As a result, farmers find HT seed to be a better option. Since the trials were not completed, permission for commercial sale has not been granted to the variety.
Yet the seeds are grown clandestinely in Gujarat and Telangana and smuggled to Vidarbha. Monsanto which had developed the technology also makes glyphosate.
However, farmers say that if it saves the labour expenses due to tolerance to herbicide, the yield is less as compared to the legally allowed seeds. This has also led to reduction of demand over the years. Yet the usage continues to save labour cost.
Manish Jhadav, a farmer in Yavatmal, said there is a high demand for seeds and according to market informal estimates, as much as one lakh acre may be under HT seed in Yavatmal alone.
If a bag of the regular BT cotton seed is available at Rs 850, the HT cotton seed costs as much as Rs 1,600, said farmers
Farmers said HT seeds are sold by agents with a claim that it leads to a higher yield. Tough the claims of high yields are not always true, herbicide tolerance is found. This makes it easier to get rid of weeds without engaging labour.
Recently, a meeting was held between officials of Panjabrao Krishi Vidayalaya and the agriculture department a fortnight ago. It was discussed that it may not be safe to allow use of HT seeds as trials are not completed. Its impact on humans and animals has not been assessed , said a source.
Vijay Jawandhia, an activist from Wardha, said that seeds are openly grown in Gujarat and smuggled to Nagpur. How is it that the standing crop is not seized in Gujarat. Jawandhia says if it is so much accepted among farmers the government can think of legalizing its use. The stress must be on developing straight-line varieties which means the same seed from the crop can be used.
Shetkari Sangathana, a farmers’ organization, has also been demanding legalizing of HT seeds. Its activists had openly sown the HT cotton as a mark of protest, demanding its legalization. Anil Ghanwat of Shetkari Sangathana said farmers are buying such seeds at their own risk and the government should not intervene rather it should be made legal.
Nearly 10 years ago, Mahyco-Monsanto withdrew from trials of this genetically engineered variety which are made to be resistant to glyphosate based weed killers. Yet the seeds continue to be available in the grey market. The latest cache shows that though illegal, the material remains in demand among farmers though it has come down over the years.
This year, seeds were seized in Yavatmal and Amravati, apart from other small hauls in eastern Vidarbha, including Gadchiorli. Experts say this shows that farming without glyphosate cannot be ruled out. It is difficult to manually carry out de-weeding operations because of shortage of farm hands and high wages.
As a result, farmers find HT seed to be a better option. Since the trials were not completed, permission for commercial sale has not been granted to the variety.
Yet the seeds are grown clandestinely in Gujarat and Telangana and smuggled to Vidarbha. Monsanto which had developed the technology also makes glyphosate.
However, farmers say that if it saves the labour expenses due to tolerance to herbicide, the yield is less as compared to the legally allowed seeds. This has also led to reduction of demand over the years. Yet the usage continues to save labour cost.
Manish Jhadav, a farmer in Yavatmal, said there is a high demand for seeds and according to market informal estimates, as much as one lakh acre may be under HT seed in Yavatmal alone.
If a bag of the regular BT cotton seed is available at Rs 850, the HT cotton seed costs as much as Rs 1,600, said farmers
Farmers said HT seeds are sold by agents with a claim that it leads to a higher yield. Tough the claims of high yields are not always true, herbicide tolerance is found. This makes it easier to get rid of weeds without engaging labour.
Recently, a meeting was held between officials of Panjabrao Krishi Vidayalaya and the agriculture department a fortnight ago. It was discussed that it may not be safe to allow use of HT seeds as trials are not completed. Its impact on humans and animals has not been assessed , said a source.
Vijay Jawandhia, an activist from Wardha, said that seeds are openly grown in Gujarat and smuggled to Nagpur. How is it that the standing crop is not seized in Gujarat. Jawandhia says if it is so much accepted among farmers the government can think of legalizing its use. The stress must be on developing straight-line varieties which means the same seed from the crop can be used.
Shetkari Sangathana, a farmers’ organization, has also been demanding legalizing of HT seeds. Its activists had openly sown the HT cotton as a mark of protest, demanding its legalization. Anil Ghanwat of Shetkari Sangathana said farmers are buying such seeds at their own risk and the government should not intervene rather it should be made legal.
