GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 3560

ANSWERED ON: 19.03.2013

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH YIELDING SEEDS

(a) whether some companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country are engaged in developing new varieties of high yielding seeds; 

(b) if so, the details thereof; and 

(c) the details of the areas where such new seeds are being used by these companies on experimental basis under a pilot project in the country? 

ANSWER

(a) Yes, Madam. 

 (b) The list of companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country is given as Annexure-I. 

(c) Bt. Cotton is the only genetically modified crop approved for cultivation in the country. Bt cotton seeds are used in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for which approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Environment & Forests is granted. The conventional seed varieties are grown in areas recommended by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agriculture Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.