BT Cotton cultivation starts in Bengal: Agri Minister

Kolkata, Aug 3 (UNI) The cultivation of Monsanto's BT cotton in Vidarbha, which resulted in disaster last year killing more than 540 farmers, is now making silent entry to Bengal.

The cultivation of Monsanto's BT cotton in Vidarbha--the main cotton growing belt of Maharashtra resulted in disaster. Literally hundreds of farmers committed suicide due to total failure of the Bt cotton crop and their resulting debts.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a seminar on "Agri-biotechnology: Opportunities&Challanges" organised by ASSOCHAM, West Bengal Minister Agriculture Minister Naren Dey said,''We have started BT Cotton field trail.'' When asked about BT Cotton cultivation in the state, Agriculture Secretary Atanu Purakayashta said there is no bar on cotton cultivation.

''The Bengal government is increasing cotton cultivation from 500 to 5,000 hecatres by the end of the 11th plan period,'' he said.

Member Secretary and Advisor to Department of Biotechnology, under government of India, Dr KK Tripathi said, ''The biotechnological application can bring about a lot of scientific challanges in front of us.'' UNI