Launch of BT cotton: BT seeds of straight varieties launched.
By yash chouhan 2025-12-17 13:04:10
BT Cotton Launch: Launch of BT Seeds of Straight Cotton Varieties
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched BT seeds of three straight varieties of cotton developed by Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University (VNMKV) at the inauguration ceremony of 'Joint Agresco' on Thursday (29). VNMKV is the first agricultural university in the state to have converted straight varieties of cotton into BT varieties and made them available to farmers.
Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, Guardian Minister Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, MP Sanjay Jadhav, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Indra Mani, Research Director Dr. Khizar Beg, and others were present on the occasion. NH 1901 BT, NH 1902 BT, and NH 1904 BT are three American straight varieties of cotton that have been converted into BT varieties by the VNMKV Cotton Research Center in Nanded.
The seeds of these varieties have been made available to farmers for sale this year. These varieties are straight and tolerant to sucking pests, bacterial blight, leaf spot disease, etc. Consistent yields of these varieties have been observed in dryland farming at various centers in Central India.
This variety of cotton has a ginning percentage of 35 to 37 percent, and its fiber length, strength, and fineness are good. Cultivation of this variety is recommended in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh in Central India.
Outstanding Agricultural Researcher Award Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis honored scientists from the state's four agricultural universities who have performed outstandingly in research work at 'Joint Agresco' with the 'Outstanding Agricultural Researcher Award 2025'.
Dr. Madan Pendke from VNMKV, Dr. Sunil Kadam from Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Dr. Santosh Gahukar from PDKV, and Dr. Vijay Dalvi from Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agricultural University were honored.