Withdrawal of application to commercial launch of Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex Cotton varieties

by Monsanto reveals that there was some tension between seed regulators and multinational corporations
in India. Monsanto blamed India for its uncertainty in the business and regulatory environment
for this decision. It also highlights the need for more open discussion to among all stakeholders
including government, farmers organizations, private sector and consumers of cotton. In India BT
comtoon revolution was possible with technological partnership of Indian private company with
Monsanto with the formation of Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co Ltd (Mahyco). The spirit of partnerships in
seed technology is very important as output of cotton jumped by four fold just in ten years and India
became the second largest exporter of cotton. The GM cotton technology positively affected incomes of 7
million cotton farmers in India mostly in drought-prone areas like Vidharbha in Maharastra and Telangana
. With the introduction of GM seeds, cotton yields increased from 300 kg/ha in 2003 to 550
kg/ha by 2014 with reduced pesticide use, reduction in costs and also with stable yields.
However, in the recent years, the GM technology seeds are starting to lose their efficacy in
India, year after year farmers are complaining about lack of effectiveness of GM seeds against
pests, resulting in huge losses to farmers as still they have to pay higher prices for seed..
This decision of withdrawal came after central government started regulating cotton seed prices
since 2015. The present government order of a cut of 70 per cent in royalties to Monsanto from
private Indian seed companies using its patented Bollgard gene technology. It announced the
new royalty fee structure in April, slashing the fees Indian-seed makers pay Monsanto from 20
per cent of the final seed price to just 6 per cent. This essentially overriding the US Companys
contracts with the local seed-makers.

Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex Cotton varieties combines powerful insect control with herbicidetolerant traits all in one seed. Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex cotton varieties protect more yield
opportunity by combining powerful herbicide-tolerant traits with the highest level of protection from
worm damage relative to any other worm control options. Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex cotton
extends the over-the-top application period of Roundup brand agricultural herbicides from burndown to
seven days before harvest. Proven broad-spectrum weed control targets more grass and broadleaf weeds
to reduce pressure on yield than competing systems.

Area under GM crops (million hectares) in the world

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

1996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014

Year

The global fate of GM crops lies on the balance between growing GM crops for hunger management,
nutrient fulfillment, pest resistance and efficacy of crops under different environmental conditions, and
focusing on the effects of GM crops beyond their target objectives, including effects on non-target
species. Transgenic technology may aid in increasing crop yields, reducing risk due to pest and weed
attacks and increasing profits to farmers. It may also reduce prices to consumers and increase consumer
surplus. From farmers to consumers, all the stakeholders in agricultural value chain are expected to
benefit through wider adoption of GM technology, thus making it an asset for food security. However,

apprehensions regarding the biosafety of GM crops globally, but especially in EU and some of the
developing countries, continue to persist. The public debate on GM crops is mostly driven by vested
interests mostly funded by foreign countries wasted interest groups without any scientific base, because
the knowledge on the technology is limited and confined to only a few scientific communities. Moreover,
many developing countries lack the necessary knowhow and regulatory infrastructures to monitor GM
crops, and therefore are excessively concerned about the impact of GM technology. In order to overcome
these limitations, promoting investments in regulatory framework as well as knowledge sharing among
developed and developing countries and public (government), private (corporate) and non-governmental
organizations is the need of the hour. Although GM crops should not be considered as a magic bullet
against poverty and food demand, but they are possible solutions to increase farm yields, reduce risk and
increase profitability for small farmers.