Gujarat govt permits companies to raise Bt cotton seed prices

After Punjab and Haryana, Bt cotton seed will now cost more to cotton growers in Gujarat as the state has permitted hiking its prices by Rs. 180 per 450 gm packet for the upcoming cotton sowing season.

Gujarat government has allowed the seed manufacturing companies to raise the price of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton seed by Rs 180 per 450 gm each for Bt—I and Bt—II.

Bt—I cotton seed provides protection from American Bollworm attack, while Bt—II variety prevents attack of both bollworm and tobacco caterpillar.

The price of Bt—I variety has been increased from Rs 650 per packet of 450 gm to Rs 830 per packet. Similarly, rate of Bt—II variety has been raised from Rs 750 per packet to Rs 930 per packet for the new season, a senior official of Gujarat Agriculture Department told DeshGujarat here on Thursday.

Gujarat government had lastly fixed the prices of BG packets on 11th of June 2008.

According to government estimate Gujarat farmers use 65-70 lakh packets of BT cotton seeds.