Transgenic Bt Cotton
5 june 2011, Transgenic Bt Cotton
CICR TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO: 22
TRANSGENIC Bt COTTON
Dr CD Mayee Dr P Singh Dr AB Dongre Dr MRK Rao Dr Sheo Raj
Central Institute for Cotton Research Nagpur
Downloaded from www.cicr.org.in
Technical Bulletin from CICR (www.cicr.org.in)
1
Transgenic Bt Cotton
TRANSGENIC Bt COTTON 1. Introduction
Cotton is one of the major fibre crops of global significance. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of more than eighty countries of world occupying nearly 33 m ha with an annual production of 19 to 20 million tones of bales. China, U.S.A., India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Argentina and Egypt are major cotton producing countries. These countries contribute nearly 85% of the global cotton production. In India, cotton is being cultivated in 9.0 m ha and stands first in acreage. The crop is grown in varied agro-climatic situation across nine major states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The crop is also grown on small area in Orissia, Assam, U.P and West Bengal. Nearly 60 million people are engaged in cotton production, marketing and processing. The textile industry which utilizes the cotton provides employment to about 16% of the total workforce. Cotton in its various forms also serves as raw material for more than 25 industries. The decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval committee (GEAC) of Government of India clearing the release of Bt cotton for commercial cultivation during 2002-2003 crop season, is considered as one of the major milestones in the history of cotton improvement in India. Incidentally, cotton happens to be the first crop to receive environment clearance as GMO in Indian Agriculture, and thus has received maximum attention from planners, scientists, social workers, media, farmers and general public. With liberalization of world trade following WTO formation, quality and price
CICR TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO: 22
TRANSGENIC Bt COTTON
Dr CD Mayee Dr P Singh Dr AB Dongre Dr MRK Rao Dr Sheo Raj
Central Institute for Cotton Research Nagpur
Downloaded from www.cicr.org.in
Technical Bulletin from CICR (www.cicr.org.in)
1
Transgenic Bt Cotton
TRANSGENIC Bt COTTON 1. Introduction
Cotton is one of the major fibre crops of global significance. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of more than eighty countries of world occupying nearly 33 m ha with an annual production of 19 to 20 million tones of bales. China, U.S.A., India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Argentina and Egypt are major cotton producing countries. These countries contribute nearly 85% of the global cotton production. In India, cotton is being cultivated in 9.0 m ha and stands first in acreage. The crop is grown in varied agro-climatic situation across nine major states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The crop is also grown on small area in Orissia, Assam, U.P and West Bengal. Nearly 60 million people are engaged in cotton production, marketing and processing. The textile industry which utilizes the cotton provides employment to about 16% of the total workforce. Cotton in its various forms also serves as raw material for more than 25 industries. The decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval committee (GEAC) of Government of India clearing the release of Bt cotton for commercial cultivation during 2002-2003 crop season, is considered as one of the major milestones in the history of cotton improvement in India. Incidentally, cotton happens to be the first crop to receive environment clearance as GMO in Indian Agriculture, and thus has received maximum attention from planners, scientists, social workers, media, farmers and general public. With liberalization of world trade following WTO formation, quality and price