Lok Sabha Question No. 5181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Price of Genetically Modified Bt Cotton Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, ANWHAR RAAJHAA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5181

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## PRICE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED BT COTTON SEEDS

## 5181.       SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

SHRI  S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI   T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government proposes to  slash  the  price  of  genetically  modified  Bt  cotton seeds as well as trait fees payable by domestic seed companies to technology developers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the seed producing companies in this regard;
- (c) whether there are heavy losses suffered by cotton farmers in various parts of the country due to pest attack;
- (d) if  so,  the  cotton crops affected and the estimated loss suffered during each of the last three  years  and  the  current  year  due  to  pest  attack,  State/UT-wise  and  the  details  of  relief provided to the affected States during the said period; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to protect the crops from pest attack in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.  Government has reduced the price of genetically modified BG-II, Bt. Cotton for 2018-19 from Rs.800/- to Rs.740/- per packet of 450 grams (including trait fee). Trait fee has also been reduced from Rs.49/- to Rs.39/- during 2018.
- (c) & (d): During Kharif, 2015 whitefly infestation was reported in cotton crop in the State of Punjab  and  Haryana.  Punjab  and  Haryana  Government  has  reported  an  area  of  3.39  lakh hectare  and  5.8  lakh  hectare  under  the  cotton  crop  during  2015-16.  Approximately,  all  the cultivated  area  was  affected  in  Punjab.  However,  in  Haryana  losses  of more  than  50%  were reported in 0.25 lakh hectare, whereas less than 50% losses were reported in 5.28 lakh hectare.

As per the information received from the Punjab and Haryana Government, an amount of Rs. 669 crore and Rs. 967 crore respectively has been paid as compensation to the affected farmers.

State  of  Maharashtra  has  reported outbreak  of Pink  Boll Worm in 35.11  Lakh hectares during 2017-18. State Govt. has announced relief @Rs.6,800/- per hectare for rainfed area and @Rs 13,500/-/- per hectares for irrigated area limited upto 2 hectares.

(e): Farmers  are  educated/  trained  to  adapt  preventive  measures  and  follow  the  advisory issued by ICAR/SAUs to protect the crops from pest attack.

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