Source:
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology

ISAAA: Fact sheet on Approved Bt Cotton Hybrids in India

Original document in PDF format:

*Mech 162 and Mech 184 not approved for AP and Mech 12 discontinued for Southern Zone

• All approved hybrids belong to four major seed companies from India i.e. Mahyco (MECH, MRC), Rasi (RCH), Ankur seed and Nuziveedu seed (NSC) companies in India.
   
• In 2002, Maharashtra Hybrids Seeds Co Ltd (Mahyco) has received approval for three Bt cotton hybrids such as MECH 12, MECH 162 and MECH 184 for commercial cultivation in Central & Southern Zones in India.
   
• In 2003, three Bt cotton hybrids were cultivated over 100,000ha which is more than three times area under Bt cotton cultivation in 2002 i.e. 30,000ha.
   
• In 2004, The GEAC (Ministry of Environment & Forest) has approved one more Bt cotton hybrid of Rasi Seeds for cultivation in Central and Southern Zones. With four Bt cotton hybrids in market, area under Bt cotton rose from 100,000 ha in 2003 to 500,000 ha in 2004, a quantum five-fold increase in Bt cotton area between 2003 and 2004.
   
• In 2004, more than 300,000 small and medium farmers in Central and Southern Zones enjoyed the benefits of Bt cotton technology with increased yield, reduced pesticides applications and health and environmental benefits.
   
• In 2005, farmers in India would have more choices to grow Bt cotton hybrids such as 6 hybrids in Northern Zone, 12 hybrids in Central Zone and 9 hybrids in Southern Zone respectively.

For further information, you may contact:
Bhagirath Choudhary
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
Ist Floor, CG Block, NASC Complex
Dev Prakash Shastri Marg
New Delhi-110012, INDIA
Tel/Fax: 011-25841294
Mobile: +91-9891395710
Email: b.choudhary@isaaa.org