Bt cotton: nine more varieties may be approved for commercialisation

National Bio-safety Centre is likely to approve eight more Bt cotton varieties for commercialisation in the next season (2012-13) to boost cotton production in the country, informed sources informed Business Recorder.
Sources in the ministry of textile industry revealed that Pakistan opted for Bt cotton cultivation and registered nine Bt varieties last year and approved eight 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 commercialisation on Genetically Modified Crops/organisms.
Out of these 17 Bt varieties, one is the first registered Hybrid of Indian origin, whereas, rest developed by public sector research organisations and private sector 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 mandate has registered more than 700 seed companies in the country, whereas, in the neighbouring country with almost three times area of cotton has only 220 seed companies. Pakistan cotton seed requirement is nearly about 40,000 metric tones with four-five kg per acre. Private sector failed to fulfil the seed requirement of the country over the years, rather offering low quality seed at higher prices, sources maintained.
They further said that cottonseed (Benola) priced between 700 to 800 per 40 kg during the season, whereas these companies are selling it 1200 to 1500 per kg, though they are not adding any value to it, nor they have 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.
Sources further said that seed sector, instead dye it with red color to pretend it as insecticide treated and to hide the defective and low quality seed. The authorities should regulate this sector to protect the cotton crop and to enhance its production to meet the domestic industrial requirement. Sowing quality seed is half way security of a successful production, but if we offer our farmers with low quality seed achieving targets would be a mere dream.