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Andhra Pradesh will compensate cultivators of Bt cotton crops
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. .... 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 |
Andhra Pradesh will compensate cultivators of Bt cotton crops
Marcus Williamson wrote in message ... 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". nice to see that someone has a government which supports agriculture. -- Jim Webster "The pasture of stupidity is unwholesome to mankind" 'Abd-ar-Rahman b. Muhammad b. Khaldun al-Hadrami' |
Andhra Pradesh will compensate cultivators of Bt cotton crops
"Jim Webster" wrote in message
... Marcus Williamson wrote in message ... 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". nice to see that someone has a government which supports agriculture. -- Jim Webster "The pasture of stupidity is unwholesome to mankind" 'Abd-ar-Rahman b. Muhammad b. Khaldun al-Hadrami' Would it be unduly cynical to suspect that a high proportion of their electors make all or most of their living from agriculture? -- May glorious Shamash make his face to shine upon you Gilgamesh of Uruk (Include Enkidu in the subject line to avoid the spam trap) |
Andhra Pradesh will compensate cultivators of Bt cotton crops
Gilgamesh wrote in message ... "Jim Webster" wrote in message ... Would it be unduly cynical to suspect that a high proportion of their electors make all or most of their living from agriculture? -- I merely compared them to the opposition who apparently don't give a damn about peasants if it means they can make political capital and upset the government. I was talking comparatively, not in absolutes :-)) -- Jim Webster "The pasture of stupidity is unwholesome to mankind" 'Abd-ar-Rahman b. Muhammad b. Khaldun al-Hadrami' May glorious Shamash make his face to shine upon you Gilgamesh of Uruk (Include Enkidu in the subject line to avoid the spam trap) |
Andhra Pradesh will compensate cultivators of Bt cotton crops
Marcus Williamson wrote in
: 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. ... 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 Hi, the question for me is: what do they mean by "crops failed"? Does that mean the later stated "Certain farmers have complained of smaller Boll size and lesser staple length ..."? If so, I would not consider the crops failed, but the (exaggerated) expectations were not met. Also, how does a lower harvest compare to a lost harvest (due to the bollworm) or to the use of pesticides? I am just talking about the costs, not the environment - I can understand that the environment is one of the "luxuries" a poor farmer will worry least. The high yield hybrid seeds mostly used nowadays are often very susceptible to pests. This is known and often considered the price for the high yield. So, one has to make the decision for oneself: do I play safe and go for lower yield (and, in this case, lower quality) by either using naturally resistant varieties (if available) or GM crops - or do I take the risk and go for a higher, but chancy profit. AFAIK, the farmers in AP have not been forced to use the GM cotton. But it seems that they have not been informed very well. Didn't they do any trials before planting on large areas? That sounds very strange to me. So, who pushed or deceived them in using those seeds without trials (the more, that this might have been a variety not well adapted to the local conditions)? For me, this "case" just smells of ploitics (in a negative sense) and mismanagement. The problem here does not seem to be the GM crops per se, but the apparently irresponsible forecasts for the harvest. Unfortunately, this case will probably be (ab)used in the already emotionally overcharged discussion about GM crops. Just my 2 cents. Cheers, Klaus |
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