Chouhan questions Bt cotton efficiency as India’s cotton production dips
By yash chouhan 2025-07-17 10:55:28
Chouhan Questions Bt Cotton as Output Falls
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday questioned the efficacy of Bt cotton, as despite its adoption, the production of the fibre crop has declined due to a slew of issues, including the pink bollworm attack. He also asked the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introspect why the country’s cotton production has dropped despite the release of several varieties.
Speaking at the Foundation Day event of ICAR, Chouhan raised several concerns that farmers have been raising before him and asked officials to address those issues. His views are on the heels of his comments at a Productive Meeting on cotton in Coimbatore on July 11.
At the meeting, Chouhan acknowledged the challenges in cotton production in India as India’s productivity lagged compared to other countries. The Bt cotton variety, once developed to increase yields, is now facing a threat from diseases, resulting in declining productivity, he said, adding that the country must take every possible step — just like other nations — to improve cotton productivity using modern technologies and by developing virus-resistant, high-yielding seeds.
Taking strong exception to the practice of tagging other products with fertilisers, the minister asked secretary to start a helpline where farmers can directly complain and action can be taken against the retailers. Tagging of nano fertilisers with subsidised urea and DAP has become a common practice in the last few years with little action from the Fertiliser Ministry, except sending letters to States and companies to check the practice. The matter also had reached the Competition Commission.
10-point agenda
The Minister asked officials to review and examine if there can be a price control on bio-stimulants, as farmers feel they are getting cheated with very high rates and a promise of a huge jump in yield, without any credible verification of the products.
He asked scientists to do research on farm machineries which could be suitable for small land holdings as the country has fragmented land.
Speaking at the event, ICAR’s director-general M L Jat outlined 10-point agenda for the future where it would re-orient itself.
ICAR would convert vision documents, prepared by its over 100 research institutes, into action this year and also create synergy among all the institutes. Research areas will be prioritised and target oriented while making it demand-driven with state-wide action plan as outlined by the minister, said Jat.
Protection, the key
Further, he said that ICAR will have a special focus on oilseeds and pulses research, where there is a lot need to be done since the country is import dependent. He said protecting the soil is a key issue and as such ICAR will make a National Soil and Resilience Action Plan as well as one National Climate Action Plan. The ICAR will set up a Nodal Centre of Excellence in Technology and Knowledge for the better performance of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
Jat said market and value chain research is another area which needs to be promoted because there are many issues related to it.
In an innovative plan, he said, ICAR Global has been conceived as it is already working with many international fora like G20. He said ICAR has capacity and ability to make a global foray through it. He also favoured ICAR to work more closely with private companies assessing their CSR funds.
On the occasion, the Minister distributed Utkrishta Karm Nishpaka Puraskar by the National Agricultural Science Research Institute to scientists for their outstanding contribution. Awards were distributed in various categories including outstanding woman scientist, young scientist, innovation scientist. The recipients include assistant directors general (ADGs) S K Pradhan and P K Dash, and Director of Ludhiana-based Indian Institute of Maize Research H S Jaat.
