BKS Demands Bt Cotton De-notification, Warns Against HT Bt Approval
By yash chouhan 2026-06-24 11:52:48
Demand to De-notify Bt Cotton Seeds; Warning of Agitation if HT Bt Cotton is Approved
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has demanded that the central government immediately de-notify Bt cotton seeds and impose a complete ban on all genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. The organization has warned that it will launch a nationwide agitation if the government approves the controversial herbicide-tolerant (HT) Bt cotton.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, BKS General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra stated that Bt cotton varieties (BG-I and BG-II) have failed to meet farmers' expectations. He alleged that cotton production in the country has declined since the adoption of Bt cotton in 2002, and traditional as well as indigenous cotton varieties have gradually disappeared.
Mishra noted that while Bt cotton was promoted as a high-yield technology, this claim did not hold true in reality. He further stated that the technology has failed to control major pests like the pink bollworm. According to him, the neglect of indigenous cotton varieties—which are suited to the country's diverse agro-climatic zones—has adversely affected production.
Referring to a letter written to the central government, he urged Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to intervene in the matter. The BKS alleged that farmers have been provided with misleading information regarding GM crops and demanded an investigation into the issue, along with action against those responsible.
The organization also stated that the excessive use of chemical products in farming has increased due to the influence of foreign companies. Demanding a ban on chemicals such as glyphosate and paraquat dichloride, Mishra expressed concern over their potential health risks.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri-awarded farmer leader Shrirang Dada Lad remarked that instead of relying on GM seeds, cotton farmers should be provided with better indigenous seeds and training in scientific farming techniques. He appealed to the government for support to take his developed cotton production technology to farmers across the country.
