Minfal proposes Bt cotton introduction

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has recommended introduction of two Bt cotton varieties for general cultivation as sowing of unauthorised varieties is continuing, and the provinces are least equipped to stop this illegal exercise.
Sources told Business Recorder on Sunday that the Centre of Excellence for Molecular Biology (CEMB), Punjab University, has submitted two varieties of Bt cotton to Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC).
The new varieties, named as CEMB-X CIM-482 Bt, and CEMB-X MNH-93 Bt, were also recommended for testing on pilot project basis by the Ministry of Environment''s National Bio-safety Committee (NBC).
According to sources, PCCC conducted testing of these varieties for one year, through National Co-ordinated Variety Trials (NCVT). The Minfal is of the view that these varieties may be sent to the provincial seed councils for approval. The ministry says that these varieties should be approved without any further testing, sources added.
At a recent meeting of all stakeholders including the Planning Commission, PCCC and others, the issue was discussed in detail. According to sources, Minfal was advised not to go for the introduction of the new varieties in haste as a variety introduced by the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (Nibge was rejected at the last moment.
Nibge''s variety was rejected by the NBC because the Nibge used a gene which was already used by Monsanto Seed Company. Due to this, the Minfal plan of starting growing of Bt cotton in an area of about 5,000 acres in Sindh and Punjab during the last Kharif season met total failure.
The Bt cotton is no more a new concept in Pakistan as this variety has been sown without getting the varieties tested and approved from the National Agriculture Research System (NARS).
Independent agricultural experts are of the view that concerned government authorities are proceeding slowly in introducing the new technology in farming while the regional countries, including China and India, were going well ahead of Pakistan.
Most of the countries in North and South Americas and a considerable number of countries in Asia have made significant progress on introducing biotech (Bt) crops for increasing productivity.
According to a report, Bt cotton contributed significantly to the yield increase in cotton in India from 308 kg lint per hectare in 2001-02 to 450 kg lint per hectare in 2005-06.
In turn in yield from Bt cotton has been a major contributor to increased exports from India, which soared from 0.9 million bales in 2005 to 4.7 million bales in 2006. The three most populous countries in Asia--China, India and Indonesia--are already planting millions of acres of genetically modified cotton.