CICR scientists develop Bt gene indigenously

Cotton seeds containing the Bt gene generate toxic proteins which kill bollworms, almost eliminating the need to drench the plants in pesticides. This is expected to halve the cost of cotton cultivation as pesticides account for 50 per cent of the farmers8217; investment.

Confirming the research,CICR Director Dr M S Kairon told The Indian Express that the Bt gene had been transferred using the agro-bacterium system and had been tested on the LRA-5166, LRK-516, PVK-081 and NH-44, varieties of cotton seeds. Plants grown from these transgenic seeds have been found to produce the toxic proteins that kill pests, he said.

Dr Kairon also expressed confidence that the CICR, with an intimate understanding of Indian environment and soil conditions, would be able to provide additional characteristics in its Bt gene cotton seeds, giving Monsanto8217;s Bollgard variety stiff competition.

While Monsanto, which is conducting field trials in 40 locations country-wide, tied up with the privately-owned Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Corporation Pvt Ltd MAHYCO three years ago, research in six government laboratories began at around the same time. Apart from the CICR, which has been researching the Bt gene under the guidance of the Government of India8217;s Department of Bio-Technology, transgenic experiments have beenunderway at five other laboratories as well: the Botanical Institute in Lucknow, the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, Bose Institute in Calcutta, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. However, except for the CICR at Nagpur, none of the other institutes has made the breakthrough.

All six laboratories were entrusted with the task of developing the Bt gene after the Government of India turned down a proposal from Monsanto for a collaboration with them. The multi-national had demanded 8 million to sell the knowhow to Indian scientists but the government, reluctant to shell out the money, turned down the proposal. Consequently, the company acquired a 26 per cent stake in MAHYCO and began experimenting with indigenous varieties here.

Now, with the Bt gene having been developed indigenously, the ramifications could be sweeping considering that India is scheduled to become a member of the World Trade Organisation in April next year. This will putthe struggle for patenting rights into high gear apart from allowing multi-nationals easier access to the Indian market.

Then there is the question of monopolies. In the case of the Bt cotton gene in particular, Monsanto has the potential to monopolise the entire cotton seeds market as farmers are expected to take to the transgenic seed with unparalleled enthusiasm.

But there are more problems in store for the indigenously-developed Bt gene. With MAHYCO poised to hit the market within the next two years, the CICR is still a year away from commencing field trials. Also, the Government of India does not appear to share the scientists8217; enthusiasm in encouraging commercial production of cotton seeds containing the Bt gene in its state-run seed production plants. An indicator of the government8217;s casual interest in indigenous research can be gauged from the meagre funding of its own laboratories compared to the free rein it has given Monsanto on Indian soil, the protests from the farmers8217; lobbynotwithstanding.

For instance, it had set aside a paltry Rs 20 lakh for CICR8217;s research into the Bt gene even though it was aware of the technology8217;s revolutionary potential apart from the huge cost-saving involved.

In Maharashtra, which accounts for more than a quarter of the country8217;s total cotton production, it is the state-owned Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation which commands a 60-per cent share of the country8217;s cotton seeds market. In real terms, this translates into about 25 lakh, 1 kg packets of cotton seeds per year, at the rate of Rs 220-240 per packet.

At present, MAHYCO sells its seeds for Rs 400 per 1 kg packet. However, once it releases its Bollgard variety into the market, the cost is expected to escalate to Rs 1,200-1,300 per 1 kg packet. Even so, this would not deter farmers from purchasing the transgenic variety, which will considerably alter market share.