Wednesday, May 25, 2011

As against the 43,000 hectors that were used for Bt cotton cultivation last year, it is estimated that about 54,000 hectors will be used this year, indicating a change in the farming pattern of the region.

Even tobacco growers are looking at Bt cotton as an alternative commercial crop option. Farmers at Hebbala in Heggadadevanakote taluk, who are traditional tobacco cultivators have opted for Bt cotton this time around, says M Shiva Shankar, a farmer. "We have been growing cotton for two decades. This year, even our neighbours who were into tobacco cultivation, have opted for Bt cotton," he said. He attributed this change to the loss incurred in tobacco cultivation last year.

"Over 10% of tobacco growers in the region have switched to Bt cotton this year," said joint director for agriculture, R Krishnaiah.

C Chandregowda, leader of tobacco growers association in Hunsur, too has replaced tobacco with ginger and turmeric. "The yield is less in tobacco cultivation and there are labour problems," he explains.

B V Javaregowda, former vice-president of the Tobacco Board and president of Karnataka tobacco growers association, seconded his opinion. "In certain areas like H D Kote, the tobacco growers have opted to Bt cotton. However, it is unlikely that it will set a trend," he claimed.

" The area used for the cultivation of Bt cotton has doubled in the past 10 years in Mysore making it a emerging cotton belt. An added benefit is that the crop does not come under the attack of wild animals including wild boar," he added.

Going by the trend and considering the good rainfall in mid-April, the officials are planning to distribute more Bt cotton seeds this year.

It can be recalled that the farming community was up in arms seeking a particular variety of Bt cotton leading to a tension in the region some one month back. "The demand had been sky-rocketed and the supply was less. This had led to the tension," said a farmer.

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