Poor productivity – Cotton farmers need genetically modified seeds

Source: The post is based on the article “Poor productivity – Cotton farmers need genetically modified seeds” published in the Business Standard on 21st June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Awareness in the field of biotechnology.

Relevance: About the need for GM cotton crops.

News: For the past several years, India’s cotton production has been stagnating at 34-36 million bales (one bale is 170 kg).

What is the present state of India’s cotton production?

The cotton sector supports the livelihood of 45-50 million people, including 6 million cotton farmers.

Though India leads the world in cotton acreage, India ranks only 38th in productivity. For example, the average productivity of cotton is only around 500 kg a hectare, which compares poorly with the global average of over 800 kg.

While the old Bt-cotton hybrids, responsible for increasing output, have become outmoded. The new ones to replace them are not forthcoming. The moratorium on testing genetically modified (GM) crops imposed by the government in 2010 is thwarting the development of new Bt-cotton seeds.

What is the status of research for other GM cotton crops in India?

BG-2 RRF: It is a second-generation variant of the Bt-cotton seed, developed by the well-known seed company Mahyco. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has delayed the permission by seeking additional data.

Cry2Ai gene: It is the Bt-cotton strain containing the pink bollworm-resistant, developed by Hyderabad-based Bioseed Research India. State governments are putting up hurdles in the field-testing of the new seeds. Three states —Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat — have not even allowed field trials of the new seeds. Haryana, the only state that has agreed to permit testing, is under pressure from the anti-GM lobby.

Why does India need GM cotton crops?

-Agronomic means such as expansion in plant density and improvement in input-use efficiency can increase in crop yields to some amount. But these cannot save the crops from diseases and pests, which are turning more virulent.

-None of the present Bt-cotton hybrids is capable of withstanding the onslaught of pink bollworm, which has become the major nemesis of this crop now. Farmers have little option but to spray pesticides repeatedly, with grave environmental implications.

What should be done?

The government should effectively counter the disinformation being spread by some anti-GM activists about gene-altered crops. The state governments need to appreciate the merits of modern technology and facilitate the advent of new strains to sustain the cotton revolution.