From correspondents in Andhra Pradesh, India, 06:53 PM IST
Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB) India Limited announces that approx. 4 million farmers cultivated Bollgard® II and Bollgard® Bt cotton on 172 lakh acres, or 76% of India’s total 225 lakh cotton acres in Kharif 2008. Bollgard® II acreages increased to 45 lakh acres vs. 12.2 lakh acres in 2007, i.e. an increase of 268%, and Bollgard® continued to be widely adopted on 127 lakh acres. Bollgard® II has a superior double-gene technology that offers farmers better Insect Resistance Management (IRM), along with higher yield, more pesticide savings, and higher income.
Farmers in Andhra Pradesh cultivated Bollgard® II and Bollgard® Bt cotton on 33.9 lakh acres of Andhra Pradesh’s total 372 lakh cotton acres. Bollgard® II acreages increased by 88% to 8.4 lakh acres vs. 1.01 lakh acres in 2007, and Bollgard® continued to be adopted on 25.5 lakh acres.
According to Raj Ketkar, Deputy Managing Director, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB), "The rapid adoption of Bollgard® II and Bollgard® on 76% of India’s cotton acreages is testament to farmers’ appreciation of the benefits and superior value of the technology. Within six years of the launch of Bollgard® Bt Cotton in 2002, India’s cotton production has doubled, making it the second largest producer, and second largest exporter of cotton in the world. We will continue to invest in educating Indian farmers on crop management practices, in line with our commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity.”
Bollgard® II and Bollgard® insect-protected cotton are widely planted around the world as an environmentally friendly way of controlling bollworms. In India, the highest growth for Bollgard® II was witnessed in Maharashtra with 21.6 lakh acres (up 70% vs. 6.3 lakh acres in 2007); Andhra Pradesh with 8.4 lakh acres (up 88% vs. 1.01 lakh acres in 2007); and Gujarat with 5.3 lakh acres (up 42% vs. 3.1 lakh acres in 2007).
Farmer Godela Rajendhar Reddy from Warangal, Andhra Pradesh said, “This year I planted Bollgard II on all 3.5 acres vs. one acre last year. Bollgard II gave me a higher yield of 11 quintals per acre, more pesticide savings and higher income which allowed me to repay my debts. I was proud when the Government selected me as “Aadarsha Rythu” for my best cultivation practices.”
Dr. G.M.V. Prasad Rao, Senior Scientist Cotton, ARS LAM, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh added, “Bollgard® II double gene cotton technology has two Bt proteins, Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 which is better for insect resistance management (IRM). With both the Bt proteins, having different modes of action, the chance of resistance to both proteins in Bollgard II is highly unlikely, and this makes Bollgard® II an effective tool in Insect Resistance Management. The US EPA has removed the need for 20 per cent refuge for Bollgard® II and if we do in India, we can increase our cotton productivity even more.”
In India, Bollgard® II acreages increased to 45 lakh acres vs. 12.2 lakh acres in 2007, i.e. an increase of 268%, and Bollgard® continued to be widely adopted on 127 lakh acres. The acreages have steadily increased from 87 lakh acres in 2006, to 144 lakh acres in 2007. The farmers have a choice from over 150 Bollgard® II and Bollgard® Bt cotton hybrid seeds. Within six years of the launch of Bollgard® Bt Cotton in 2002, India’s cotton production has doubled, making it the second largest producer, and second largest exporter of cotton in the world.
Bollgard® Bt cotton (single-gene technology) is India’s first biotech crop technology approved for commercialization in India in 2002, followed by Bollgard® II – double gene technology in mid-2006, by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) – the Indian regulatory body for biotech crops. These technologies were launched in India by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (MMB) a 50:50 JV between Mahyco and Monsanto Company, USA. MMB has sub-licensed the Bollgard® and Bollgard® II technologies to 23 Indian seed companies each of whom has introduced the Bollgard® technology into their own germplasm. Thus, they produce their own seeds with Bollgard® and Bollgard® II in-built protection against bollworms and spodoptera, leading to better boll retention, maximum yield, lower pesticides costs, and higher income. The rigorous scientific studies conducted in India and abroad demonstrate that Bollgard® and its products are safe for the environment, human beings, animals and agriculture.
Straight from the heart of the Bollgard® II Farmers
Bollgard® Bt cotton is being cultivated by approx. 4 million farmers on 76% of India’s total 225 lakh acres in the nine cotton growing states of India, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Farmers adopting Bollgard® II technology are experiencing benefits of better insect control, higher yield, pesticide savings and higher income.
Below are farmer testimonials from the nine states that highlight their experience with the Bollgard® II Bt cotton technology.
Godela Rajendhar Reddy from Warangal, Andhra Pradesh said, “This year I planted Bollgard II on all 3.5 acres vs. one acre last year. Bollgard II gave me a higher yield of 11 quintals per acre, more pesticide savings and higher income which allowed me to repay my debts. I was proud when the Government selected me as “Aadarsha Rythu” for my best cultivation practices.”
Om Prakash from Fatehabad, Haryana said, “This year I planted Bollgard® II on all three acres vs. only half an acre in 2007. With Bollgard® II, I got a higher yield of 13 quintals per acre vs. seven quintals with conventional seeds, in addition to better insect control, more pesticides savings and higher income.”
Nagraj Kushappa Chigalli from Haveri, Karnataka said, “Since Bollgard II gave me a higher yield of 11 quintals per acre in 2007, this year I planted Bollgard II on four acres vs. one acre last year. Thanks to pesticide savings due to better bollworm control and higher income, I am able to give my family a better life.”
Mani bhai, from Vadodara, Gujarat said, “This year I planted only Bollgard® II on all eight acres vs. five acres in 2007, as I got 15.4 quintals per acre, pesticide savings, and higher income. This income helped me to send my children to Vadodara Hostel for better education and purchase a motorcycle.”
Sudam Bandu Mathe from Fulambhari, Aurangabad said, “Since I got a higher yield of 14 quintals per acre, and more savings on pesticides sprays last year, I planted only BG II this year on all two acres. With the higher income earned, I got my daughter married last year.”
Jagadish Purohit from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh said, “This year I planted only Bollgard® II on all four acres vs. one acre in 2007. With Bollgard II® I got a higher yield of 13 quintals per acre, pesticide savings, and additional income. This income helped me to purchase a motorized pump for my field.”
T. Dharmaligamfrom Perambalur, Tamil Nadu said, “Thanks to higher yields and pesticide savings of Rs. 1,800 against spodoptera, this year I planted only Bollgard II® on all six acres vs. three acres in 2007. Using Bollgard® II technology has helped me purchase gold for my daughter, earned my respect in the village, and brought smiles to my family.”
Jaspal Singh from Muktsar, Punjab said, “This year I planted Bollgard® II on four acres vs. one acre in 2007. With Bollgard® II, I got a higher yield of 13 quintals per acre, better insect control, more pesticides savings and higher income. This has helped me to provide healthier food for my family and purchase cattle.
”Surendar Kumar from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan said, “This year I planted Bollgard® II on 1.25 acres for the first time, after my neighbor consistently received higher yields and superior control of bollworms on his field. So far, am happy with the performance of Bollgard® II on my field!”
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