Good to see major broadcasters exposing the Bt cotton nightmare. This TV news report follows hard on the heels of the new study on Bt cotton farming showing millions of dollars in losses in Andhra Pradesh.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6393

And how long before the broadcasters pick up on the hundreds of Bt cotton farmer suicides in Vidharba?

See the chart of farmer suicides here:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/p1temp.asp?pid=71&page=1

EXCERPT: Driven by debt, most of the farmers are simply attracted by the promise of high yield.

As the team traveled across Warangal, the hardsell could not be missed. Seed companies are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to convince farmers to switch to BT seeds.
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Seed war: Farmers in cotton trap
CNN-IBN Live, March 29, 2006
http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=7517&section_id=3

VIDEO: http://www.ibnlive.com/videopopup.php?id=7517

Warangal (Andhra Pradesh): Like hundreds of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, 37-year-old Yadagiri had started growing BT cotton over the past two seasons. But for him, like for several others, it was a bitter harvest.

With prices ranging from Rs 1600 to Rs 1800 for 450 grams, BT cotton seeds cost thrice as much as normal cotton seeds. That's because Mahyco Monsanto Biotech India Ltd charges royalty for the Bollgard Technology (BT) improved genetically modified cotton seeds.

But there's no compensation mechanism in place if the crop fails and this is driving more farmers into the endless debt.

As CNN-IBN's special investigation team spoke to farmers, what emerged was the alarming ignorance about GM seeds, especially the precautions that they should be taking.

Driven by debt, most of the farmers are simply attracted by the promise of high yield.

As the team traveled across Warangal, the hardsell could not be missed. Seed companies are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to convince farmers to switch to BT seeds.

Sambiah, a farmer, reveals that companies selling BT seeds give gifts to farmers who buy the seeds. TVs, tractors, motor bikes and other such items in order to lure them.

Kedari is a seed dealer in Warangal. He told the team that companies have already started taking advance orders for varieties that are yet to be approved to be grown in India.

"Some of the companies are already taking advance orders for seeds that have not yet been approved by the Government," says Kedari.

When the team brought this to the notice of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) - the final authority on regulating genetically modified crops - the Co-Chairman, GEAC, D D Verma, said, "If the company is saying that in case I get an approval, this is what I have to offer. Then you cannot say that it is wrong because it is a simple marketing activity."

It is not surprising that there's a thriving black market for BT seeds. Dealers and rich farmers hoard seeds, often unapproved ones, and then sell it at a premium.

Ravinder CH, a farmer, says, "Dealers of Warangal visited us, they said that there will be a shortage of BT seeds next season. But if we pay more and also pay an advance, they will make sure that we get it.

Genetically modified seeds have the potential to wipe out indigenous seed varieties, if they are not regulated. So, before we get there, it is time the establishment woke up.

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