Indian firms plan Bt cotton seed export to Pakistan

Indian firms plan Bt cotton seed export to Pakistan 

 With Pakistan all set to allow commercial cultivation of Bt cotton, Indian seed firms are planning to cash in on the growing demand for genetically-tweaked item for its field-trial purpose there.

During the last six months alone, at least three Indian firms have got nod from the country's bio-tech regulator, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), to export the Bt cotton seed to conduct multi-locational field trials in different agro-climatic zones in Pakistan.

According to details, the neighbouring state’s firms hope to get the government's approval for commercial cultivation of Bt cotton in view of regular talks between agriculture ministries of China and Pakistan to develop Bt cotton varieties and also in view of the latter signing a pact with crop biotech firm Monsanto a few months ago.

It is to be mentioned here that GEAC, in its last meeting in September, had permitted Bioseed Research India to export Bt cotton BGII (Bollgard) cotton hybrids containing cry 1Ac and cry 2Ab genes to Monsanto Pakistan Agritech Pvt Ltd.

"The intended purpose of the export was for conducting multi-locational field trials in different agro-climatic zone in Pakistan," the members noted.

The no objection certificate is subject to the approval from Chennai-based National Biodiversity Authority and Pakistan's National Biosafety Committee, they said.

Pakistan is the fourth largest cotton growing country in the world and its total cotton acreage is equal to around 40 per cent of total cotton cultivated in India.