Fate of 8 new BT cotton varieties hangs in the balance

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The fate of 8 new BT cotton verities sent to National Bio-safety Centre to get approval for commercialization hangs in balance due to administrative controversy, which will affect cotton production in the up-coming season, sources revealed to Business Recorder.

Meanwhile a meeting of the Cotton Crop Management Group (CCMG) will be held today (Tuesday) under the chairmanship of Punjab Agriculture Minister to review cotton seed, cotton production, water and fertilizer issues being confronted to the farmers. All stakeholders will participate in the meeting, official sources revealed. 

Sources revealed that 8 BT cotton verities were sent to National Bio-safety Centre for commercialization for (2012-13) in February 2012 to boost cotton production in the country, however due to administrative issues, the approval has been delayed.

Pakistan opted for BT cotton cultivation and registered 9 BT varieties last year and approved 8 more this year, but the new varieties have to be cleared from the National Bio-safety Centre-the apex body that grants approval for testing and commercialization of Genetically Modified Crops/organisms.

The 8 BT cotton verities include: SH-114, MNH-86, CIM-589, Sitara-009 - developed by the private sector - and A-1, IR-3, Tarzan and NS-141 developed by the public sector.

According to the sources, Secretary Environment Ministry was the chairman of the National Bio-safety Centre committee, however the Ministry has been devolved and the National Disaster Management Ministry has undertaken the responsibilities. Changes in regulations are required to enable Secretary of the new Ministry to run the affairs, sources maintained.

Out of these 17 BT varieties, one is the first registered Hybrid of Indian origin, whereas rest were developed by public and private sector research organizations with first generation Bt gene generally known as "Bollgaurd-I" or "Mon-531" , sources maintained.

The Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, now under the administrative control of National Food Security and Research Division, and the Seed Regulatory Authority has registered more than 700 seed companies in the country, whereas India with almost three times area under cotton cultivation has only 220 seed companies. Pakistan cotton seed requirement is nearly about 40,000 metric tons with 4-5-kg seed rate per acre. Private sector failed to fulfill the seed requirement of the country over the years, offering low quality seed at higher prices, sources maintained.

They further said that cotton seed (Benola) is priced between Rs 700 to 800 per 40 kg during the season, whereas these companies are selling it at Rs 1200 to 1500 per kg, though they are not adding any value to it, nor have they liability of technology fee as the Mon 531 is being used by public and private sector for free due to expiry of patent in Pakistan.