The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Monsanto Bt cotton fails in Warangal'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Monsanto Bt cotton fails in Warangal'

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 15. The Agriculture Minister, K. Raghuveera Reddy, has announced that there is prima facie evidence to indicate that Mech-184 Bt cottonseed sold by MAHYCO, a Monsanto subsidiary, has failed in Warangal district. Farmers have sown this seed in about 25,000 acres of land in the district, he said.

Addressing the press here on Friday, Mr. Reddy said a six member expert team, which examined the standing crop of nine farmers in Atmakur and Chennaraopet mandals of the district, found only 15 to 20 cotton bolls in the first stage and no cotton boll in the second stage of Mech-184 Bt cotton. This move was in response to the protests by farmers in Warangal district against the failure of their Bt cotton crop.

On the basis of this report, 50 teams had been formed which would visit the field of every farmer who had sown Bt cottonseed in the district and submit report within a week, Mr. Reddy said.

Compensation

Compensation to farmers would be given on the basis of these reports within the 15 days stipulated by the MoU the State Government had entered into with the seed companies. Appeals against this compensation would be disposed of within 30 days by the Agricultural Commissioner, he said.

Mr. Reddy said his Department had disposed of 34 cases regarding compensation for seed failure which had been pending for the past two years with a total amount of Rs. 63.38 lakhs paid to farmers. Of this amount, nearly a fourth (Rs.15 lakhs) awarded against the AP State Seed Development Corporation.

He announced that 60,000 tonnes of urea was expected in the State by October 18 to meet the shortage of this fertiliser. The Government was also importing super phosphate raw materials to meet its shortage in the State.

Spurious pesticides

On the sale of spurious pesticides in the market, Mr. Reddy said that mandal agriculture officers had been asked to inspect each and every dealer in their respective areas and send samples for testing to the laboratory. This process should be complete by next Thursday after which the State-level Vigilance Committee, formed to monitor pesticide sales, would conduct random inspections.

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