Government to soon notify Bt cottonseed price cap for 2026–27 kharif season
The Union Agriculture Ministry is expected to shortly announce the maximum retail price (MRP) for Bt cotton seeds for the upcoming 2026–27 kharif season, covering Bollgard I and Bollgard II varieties, as sowing preparations begin across cotton-growing regions.
According to industry sources, the government is unlikely to raise seed prices this year, although a final decision will be taken at the highest level after ongoing stakeholder consultations.
In the previous revision, the MRP of Bollgard II seeds was increased to ₹900 per 450-gram packet for 2025–26, up from ₹864 in the preceding year. The price of Bollgard I seeds has remained unchanged at ₹635 per packet since 2016, when cotton seed price controls were first introduced.
Industry representatives noted that in some earlier years, such as 2019–20, the Bollgard II price remained unchanged at ₹710 per packet. They suggest that even if no revision is made this year, it may not significantly impact the industry given the relatively modest increase in the previous cycle.
Under the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015, the government is legally required to notify seed prices annually, regardless of whether there is a change. Officials said this mechanism ensures transparency and prevents farmers from being overcharged, as the notified MRP acts as an upper limit rather than a fixed selling price.
However, the policy has faced criticism from some farmer groups, including those aligned with the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, which has opposed government-set pricing for Bt cotton seeds. The group argues that price controls have distorted the seed market and claim that non-GM cotton seeds are being sold at lower prices as a result. They also question the effectiveness of Bt cotton against pests such as the pink bollworm.
Government officials, meanwhile, maintain that price regulation was introduced after earlier instances of overpricing in the seed market, and is intended to protect farmers. They emphasize that the MRP is only a ceiling price, not a floor price.
Cotton remains one of the most widely cultivated cash crops in India, with official data indicating that around 95% of cotton acreage is under Bt cotton. At the same time, concerns have been raised about evolving pest resistance, particularly the pink bollworm, which has reduced the effectiveness of Bt traits in several regions.
Officials also noted that while Bt cotton initially helped reduce pesticide use, farmers are now reporting increased pressure from sucking pests, leading to higher pesticide expenditures in recent years.
