New seed push targets cotton revival, productivity gains across crops

Mint.Agricultural experts said that the move could help ramp up foodgrain production, including pulses and other crops, by improving seed quality and farm-level productivity.“Increasing productivity is critical if India has to meet future food demand without relying heavily on imports. Better seeds backed by strong research can help raise yields of pulses and other crops, stabilize supplies, and protect farmers from climate and market shocks,” said Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).All the cotton varieties are still Bt-II hybrids, showing policy continuity without any new biotech traits, the order notified on Thursday said.

Bt-II refers to the second-generation genetically modified cotton that contains Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes, which make the plant resistant to pests.“Cotton farmers are already facing pressure from pests, rising costs and stagnant yields. If indigenously developed hybrid seeds can genuinely help increase production and perform as effectively as genetically modified seeds, it would be a welcome initiative.

However, their real test will be how well they control pests and withstand disease pressure in actual field conditions,” said Ganesh Nanote, a cotton farmer from Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.India is the world's second-largest producer of cotton after China. The introduction of new hybrid seeds is aimed at increasing cotton production, which has declined in recent years, and strengthening India’s position as a global sourcing destination for textiles.“Increasing cotton productivity is also important as India has launched its own brand, Kasturi Cotton.