Raichur farmers suffer 278.72-cr loss due to failed BT Cotton: Report

Hubballi: Amid protest against the genetically modified organism industry, a study conducted by a Mysuru-based non-profit organization has revealed that farmers in Raichur district have incurred a loss of a whopping Rs 278.72 crore due to the failure of BT cotton crop.
The report titled "BT Hatti", prepared by Akshara Krishi Foundation, said BT cotton crop was sown in 1.5 lakh acres in the district and the crop has failed in 80% of the area."Raichur district has been affected very badly by BT Cotton. One farmer has even killed himself after seeing cotton crop failing in his field," K P Suresha, managing trustee of the foundation, told TOI.
He said the report was prepared after several meetings and extensive discussions with BT cotton growers, farmer leaders, Bharat Gnana Vignana Samiti and mediapersons.
"We don't claim that it is a comprehensive report. But it will become a supportive document to take the movement against BT cotton forward and create awareness among farmers. It will be released in the form of a book in Dharwad during the May Sahitya Mela to be held on May 28 and 29," he added.
Manjunath Holalu, who was also part of the study, observed that most of the crops in Raichur district failed as it was attacked by pink bollworm disease much against the claims of companies which sold BT Cotton seeds. "The companies had claimed the seeds being resistant to all the four bollworm diseases that normally affect BT Cotton including the pink bollworm. The same has been published on the packets of the seeds sold to the farmers," he said.
Another author P Vasu said that a team of agriculture scientists of the University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur, in its report to the government has said that pink bollworm affected 60-70% of BT Cotton crop in irrigated area and 40- 50% in rainfed areas. But in reality, 80% of the crop was lost due to pink bollworm," he added.
He said the report will be published in English and shared online for the benefit of people all over the world.