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BT Cotton Seeds
The Punjab government on Saturday said it has decided to provide a 33 per cent subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds, as part of its move to promote crop diversification in the state. The subsidy will be given on seeds which are recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said a sum of Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the subsidy programme and this move would reduce financial burden on cotton growers, while simultaneously discouraging the cultivation of non-recommended hybrids to enable them to adopt high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrid seeds. The department has fixed a target to increase the cotton crop area to at least 1.25 lakh hectares this year, he said. Cotton, a crucial kharif crop in the south-western districts of the state, presents a viable alternative to the water-guzzling paddy crop, contributing to both agricultural diversification and economic growth. Urging farmers to take advantage of this ..
The government is deliberating complex policy decisions regarding Herbicide-tolerant BT (HTBT) cotton and the use of herbicide 'glyphosate' as industry demands intensify, Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh said on Friday. The key issue revolves around permitting widespread glyphosate application in cotton farming, even as discussions are underway about officially introducing HTBT cotton varieties in the country. "On one hand, the industry is demanding the use of glyphosate in cotton. Then how to go for that?" Singh said addressing a brainstorming session on emerging challenges and management strategies for weed management in India. A dedicated committee is presently studying the implications of introducing herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties, at a time when glyphosate could potentially be used without such modifications, he said. Such policy matters remain unresolved and require thorough examination, the official emphasised. German life science company Bayer has applied for regula