66% of Surveyed Farmers in Telangana Use HTBt Cotton Seeds, Study Reveals
Hyderabad, Telangana: Herbicide-Tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton seeds are being used on a large scale in Telangana. According to a study, approximately 66 percent of the farmers surveyed in the state are using these seeds. However, the commercial cultivation of HTBt cotton has not yet received official approval in India.
The study was conducted by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) in collaboration with the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and the National Seed Association of India (NSAI). It analyzes the unauthorized cultivation of HTBt cotton, its spread, and its potential impacts.
Growing Acreage of HTBt Cotton in the Country
According to the study, it is estimated that HTBt cotton is being cultivated on approximately 24 to 30 percent of the total cotton-growing area in the country. The market for these unauthorized seeds is valued at an estimated ₹820 to ₹880 crore.
Among the samples examined in the study, 98.2 percent were found to contain at least one genetically modified (GM) trait. Specifically, 72.7 percent of the samples contained the CP4EPSPS protein—associated with glyphosate tolerance—while 53.7 percent contained the Vip3A protein, which is linked to pest resistance.
Savings on Weed Control Costs
Farmers are increasingly turning to HTBt cotton due to labor shortages and rising costs associated with weed control. Many of the farmers surveyed reported savings of 60 to 80 percent on weed control expenses.
However, according to agricultural scientist G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, herbicide tolerance is not a trait that directly increases crop yield. Experts have raised concerns regarding the potential health and environmental risks of glyphosate. They have emphasized the need for independent scientific assessment, monitoring of seed supply, and the provision of safe alternatives for farmers before granting approval for HTBt cotton.
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