INDIA'S AP TO COMPENSATE CULTIVATORS OF BT COTTON CROPS

DATELINE: HYDERABAD, March 11
Asia Pulse March 11, 2003
Northern Territory Regional

Andhra Pradesh government Monday promised to compensate the farmers
whose Bt cotton crops failed even as the Opposition demanded that
Monsanto Corporation, which introduced the crop, be "blacklisted".

There have been reports that the first genetically engineered cotton
crop in Andhra Pradesh has failed. Voicing concern over extensive
losses suffered by farmers who opted for genetically modified cotton
seeds, introduced by multinational seed major Monsanto, the opposition
Congress members demanded that the company be blacklisted and
compensation be paid to farmers.

While admitting that Bt cotton crop's yield was 'lower than expected
resulting in reduced market value realisation', the state Agriculture
Minister V Shobhanadreshwar Rao said the genetically engineered seed
was only designed to fight 'Bollworm' pest which was the cause of
extensive crop damages in the past. As many as 6,929 farmers in 1,520
villages had raised the cotton crop last year spread over 9.341
hectares in the state. This followed approval for commercialisation of
Bt cotton seeds by the federal government.

"Certain farmers have complained of smaller Boll size and lesser
staple length for Bt cotton compared to other hybrids in the market,"
the Minister said, adding that the farmers would be 'informed about
the experience' gained during the current season.
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more on the Bt cottonfailure in Andhra Pradesh - Star TV video
http://www.ndtv.com/template/templat...plate=Btcotton
MBt cotton proves a failure in Andhra Pradesh - article
http://www.sunnt.com/news/regional/a...ra.asp?id=7242