APCID seeks compensation for farmers hit by pest in Bt cotton

Hyderabad, Oct 09 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Coalition in Defence of Diversity (APCID) today called for compensation to farmers hit by wilt and root rot in one lakh acre of Bt cotton in Warangal District.

A team of scientists and community researchers from the NGO had noticed the pests since mid July this year, APCIS Convenor P V Sateesh said in a statement here.

He said the 12-member team visited four mandals in Warangal District on October five and held discussions with farmers. Nearly 80 to 90 per cent of cotton acreage was made up of Bt cotton. Due to disease, the loss was estimated at Rs 40 crore for farmers.

The team of scientists and community researchers from APCID was tracking the performance of Bt cotton in Warangal for five years now.

He demanded that an Independent Commission must be constituted to assess the extent of damage caused by growing Bt hybrids.

Regulatory agencies must immediately take stringent action on false claims made by the Bt seed companies. The Government in tune with the bold measures it took earlier must declare a moratorium on cultivation of Bt hybrids until a comprehensive study was undertaken on the possible impact on the cotton environment and livestock.

UNI BR AA VD PM1830