Pakistani Scientists Express Concern Regarding Monsanto Deal

By Shahid Husain

KARACHI: Pakistan’s top scientists on Saturday expressed concerns regarding government’s plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with giant American multinational Monsanto for the introduction of “insect-resistant” Bt-cotton, saying that it could harm the interest of growers.

“There is a need to get sound, critical and scientific input from experts in the country before signing such a deal,” Dr. Anwer Naseem, chairman National Commission on Biotechnology, told The News. “I have no idea whom the government has consulted.”

The government plans to sign a deal with Monsanto next month aimed at introducing Bt-Cotton and other advanced seed technologies in Pakistan.

Naseem, who has been the chairman of Biotechnology Commission for the last 28 years, said that the deal raises many questions, including the levels of resistance in these cotton varieties. “This has been reported from India as well... one needs to look at agreements reached and the way in which the issue has been examined by our experts.”

Dr Abid Azhar, deputy director general of AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Karachi, also expressed concerns about the Monsanto deal.

“It has to be ensured that the interests of growers and farmers are not compromised in any deal that is to be agreed upon between the government and the multinational companies.”

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Pakistan may buy BT cotton seed worth $1bn: The News

By Shahid Shah

KARACHI: The country has finalised issues in its negotiations with Monsanto about growing BT cotton which is expected to increase the yield by 40 per cent.

“Last year, around 28 per cent land was cultivated with BT cotton, but this year our target is 60 per cent,” Textiles Adviser Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig told The News. “There are also arrangements to produce BT seeds locally, and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved growing BT cotton to increase production,” he said. Pakistan is in the process of signing a $1bn agreement for the purchase of BT cotton seed from Monsanto, a seed developing company of the United States, with a view to increasing cotton production by 40 per cent.

However, it has not been agreed so far how much quantity the country would purchase. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a live microorganism that kills unwanted insects from forests and agriculture crops. Provided in cotton seed, it boosts the yield and protects the crop from most of the pests. Currently, farmers are using BT cotton seed on around 2.7 million acres of land against total cultivation of over eight million acres in the country.

BT cotton seed being sold in the country was smuggled and therefore illegal, said the textile adviser. BT cotton seed being produced and consumed in Pakistan is from its first generation and plant insects can develop resistance power against it. Experts say once BT cotton lost its resistance, the insect could damage the crop and the seed itself.

BT cotton seed requires continuous improvement in order to cope with growing immune power of insects. French expert Pierre Louis Dupont, who has around 20 years of experience in cotton seed development, was offered to become Pakistan’s consultant in its negotiations with Monsanto. Dupont, in an interview with The News, said there was a need to supply second generation BT cotton seed with weed control capability. With the use of BT cotton seed, he said, yield could be increased by 40 per cent.

India has boosted its cotton production to 30 million bales from 18 million. Pakistan can increase it to around 18 million bales from the current 12 million. The textile adviser said they were going to improve the supply chain. In the last couple of years, cotton production was low and industrialists suffered due to imports.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan may buy BT cotton seed worth $1bn: The News

Monsanto to bring latest cottonseed technology to Pakistan: Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Monsanto has plans to bring in Pakistan the latest cottonseed technology (BG-II and RRF), currently only available in USA and Australia. According to company's official, Monsanto's cotton traits have demonstrated better season long control of cotton bollworm compared to other Bt technologies.

Independent research trials conducted in China and India have demonstrated significant higher cotton yield and better fiber quality compared to other Bt cotton varieties. Tolerance to CLCV is critical for any germplasm to succeed in Pakistan. Most researchers working on CLCV tolerance are using Monsanto's cotton traits as background genetics.

Monsanto has strong pipeline of cotton technologies to help cotton growers improve their yield and manage their operations more efficiently. Cotton is an important cash crop for Pakistan. It accounts for 8.2 percent of the value added in the agriculture sector and about 2 percent to GDP, adds over $2.8 billion to the national economy.

In Pakistan, the challenge is to raise virtually static cotton production since the last several years. The projected targets for cotton yields are not being met due to continuing crop losses. Boll worm & Leaf Curl Virus CLCV have played havoc with crops in many areas of the country. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and farmer groups are continuously requesting the authorities to bring latest agriculture technologies in cotton so that Pakistan can regain its lost position in the world as a leading cotton producer.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Monsanto to bring latest cottonseed technology to Pakistan: Daily Times

Govt turns down Monsanto offer: The News

Friday, November 14, 2008
By Aftab Maken

ISLAMABAD: The government has turned down Monsanto’s offer of introducing second-generation technology of Bt cotton against billions of rupees as seed subsidy to the company for its intention of selling Bt cottonseed in the country. However, the company has been asked to market its high tech seed either by its own or in collaboration with local companies and the federal or provincial governments would not pay for transfer of technology, a MINFAL official told The News on Thursday. The Monsanto, a US based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has offered its high tech Bollguard-II at $20 per acre as its price for selling it to the local farmers during first five years of its inception while $10 per acre for the next five years for enhancing cotton output and to meet the local demand of the commodity.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Govt turns down Monsanto offer: The News