Bhopal: Genetically-modified Bt Cotton, used for farming in Madhya Pradesh's Nimad region, is causing allergic ailments among people even as cattle have reportedly perished after consuming its seeds.

The disturbing fact surfaced recently at a public hearing organised by Dhar district's Krishi Upaj Mandi. As per a scientist's report, presented during the hearing, at least 14 milch animals perished and several cultivators fill ill.

It was alleged that use of the seeds led to a rise in cases of skin diseases.

On the other hand, State Director (Agriculture) L.P. Patel expressed ignorance over the news but assured that the government would order an inquiry if "such incidents actually occurred".

"Those gathering, lifting and even touching the cotton were suffering from allergy. Mr Amulya Nidhi, who is undertaking a study in Dhar and Badwani districts, mentioned complaints of allergy," said social activist Ashish Gupta who was present at the hearing.

Farmers' skin turned red, swelling occurred, eyes reddened and breathlessness was experienced. Some victims suffered a burning sensation in the eyes, watering, itching, swelling of eyelashes, sneezing and running noses.

Presenting Mr Nidhi's report of four villages within Dhar and Badwani districts, Dr Gupta claimed that the former chanced upon 23 patients, including ten severe cases, who suffered symptoms within about five hours of touching the cotton.

"The study revealed that persons who covered their body parts remained unaffected. Bhura Bai of Dhar district's Khaparkheda village said that her entire family was severely hit, while handling the crop, and had to be hospitalised. A poisonous bacterial gene was introduced in the cotton and is killing caterpillars," he added.

The activist said the bacteria Bacillus Thuringiensis, which produces a poisonous protein, has been used to eliminate caterpillars in America.

The study revealed that 14 buffaloes perished and several others took ill in Khandwa district's Kolwang village.

"Monsanto, the company that produces genetically-modified seeds, was permitted to sell Bt seeds under the non-edible crop category but oil extracted from cotton is refined and used for cooking on a large scale in India," Dr Gupta pointed out.

Dhar district's Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti Chairman Mohan Lal Patidar said that Bt cotton was sown over four lakh acres in Madhya Pradesh this year.

"However, the crop dried up over more than two lakh acres and peasants incurred a loss exceeding Rs 400 crore. It is indeed ironical that while the Andhra Pradesh government moved court for compensating cultivators, a Nelson's eye is being turned on the matter in this State," he added.

Nimad is famed for cultivation of cotton, which is known as `white gold'.

Mr Patel admitted receiving information about crop drying up in some areas of Nimad's Dharmpuri and Manawar.

"Bt seeds are being used for the past four years. The state government has constituted a committee, including agriculturists, for regular assessment of such cultivation," he added.

Dhar district's Deputy Director (Agriculture) Ashok Kumar Dungle pointed out that paucity of water renders the saplings unable to draw nutrients from soil.

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