The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) on Tuesday demanded the immediate denotification of Bt cotton seeds, warning the government against approving herbicide-tolerant HT Bt cotton and threatening agitation if permission is granted. According to BKS general secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra, Indian cotton prices have significantly declined after the government abolished the 11 per cent import duty on cotton till October 31, and the country has started depending on imports.
Demand for Complete Ban on GM Crops
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Mishra stated: “We demand that Bt cotton varieties (BG-I and BG-II) be de-notified with immediate effect. A complete ban should be imposed on all GM crops in the country. Besides, a thorough investigation should be conducted against those who have misled farmers by promoting misleading and false narratives in favour of Bt cotton,” and called for strict punitive action. BKS has written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking his intervention.
Decline in Cotton Production and Prices
Mishra alleged that the decline in cotton production in the country was solely due to the adoption of Bt cotton in 2002. He claimed that Bt cotton was never a high-yielding crop and has completely failed to control the pink bollworm (PBW) pest. The introduction of Bt cotton led to the disappearance of traditional and indigenous cotton varieties suited to India’s diverse agro-climatic regions, resulting in a significant decline in overall production. Separately, BKS noted that cotton prices fell after the government removed the 11% import duty, but no specific price level was provided.
Push for Indigenous Technology
BKS suggested that India must return to its high-yielding indigenous cotton varieties and traditional agricultural practices to overcome the crisis. Farmer leader Shrirang Dada Lad, a Padma Shri awardee recognised for developing technology to increase cotton production, stated that cotton farmers need training in improved indigenous seeds and cultivation techniques to become self-reliant rather than relying on GM seeds. He proposed providing nationwide training in his cotton production technology, which has been certified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and urged the government to support making the technology accessible to all farmers.
Health Concerns and Chemical Use
Mishra alleged that due to the influence and pressure of foreign companies, excessive use of chemicals in agriculture has made produce toxic. The growing use of chemicals such as glyphosate and paraquat dichloride is causing diseases like cancer to assume epidemic proportions, which he said is a matter of serious concern. BKS called for a ban on their use.
Political and Trade Context
The announcement by BKS assumes significance as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is in India to hold discussions on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), in which genetically modified (GM) crops are a major bone of contention. BKS’s demand for a complete ban on GM crops could influence the government’s stance in these talks. The BKS, affiliated with the RSS, represents a significant farmer constituency, and its opposition to Bt cotton and HT Bt cotton may pressure policymakers amid ongoing trade negotiations.
Sources:
