1.INDIA: Mahyco compensates Bt cotton cultivators
2.India: Use of Bt cotton leads to de-skilling

GM WATCH COMMENT: Item 1 has to be a first. Although Monsanto-Mahyco has promised compensation in the past the company has never actually coughed up, even where it meant alienating state governments.
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1.INDIA: Mahyco compensates Bt cotton cultivators
SOURCE: Agencies, January 29 2007
http://www.bharattextile.com/newsitems/2002867

One of the front running BT cotton dealers in India, Mahyco has compensated farmers affected by cultivation of Bt cotton during a function held in Poosaripatty near Omalur on 28th January, industry sources said.

Mahyco, for the first time has distributed compensation to the tune of Rs 9.86 lakh to 88 of the 125 affected farmers of Omalur and Kadayampatty areas.

Earlier, about 125 farmers of Omalur and the adjoining Kadayampatty complained of huge loss due to the cultivation of Bt cotton seeds, supplied by Mahyco, in over a 198 acres of field.

Following the complaints received, the state agriculture minister, Veerapandy S Arumugam instructed Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) scientists, several NGOs and environmental groups to conduct studies to find causes for failure of Mahyco supplied Bt cottonseeds in the region.

The study reveled that variation in soil condition was the major cause for Bt seeds failure.

Keeping in vies the situation and study, the state government held negotiations with Mahyco and convinced them to compensate Rs 5000 per acre to the affected farmers.

Accordingly, Arumugam distributed Rs 9.86 lakh compensation to 88 farmers of 125, while the rest of the farmers would be paid within two days.

Further he advised TNAU officials and Mahyco staff to extend necessary technical and intellectual support to the farmers before they started cultivation and warned TNAU scientists and extension wing officials of stern action if they failed to allay the fears of the farmers about BT cotton seeds.
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2.India : Use of Bt cotton leads to de-skilling
January 30 2007
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=29812

A study by Glenn Davis Stone from Washington University puts forward the view that Bt cotton farming in Warangal has led to "agricultural deskilling".

This is due to farmers generally being unaware of what they are planting and the type of environment required for Bt cotton.

Farmers of Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh find that use of genetically modified Bt cotton seeds, especially against virulent pest attacks is not the appropriate solution.

Repeated crop failure due to virulent pest attack increases cost of cultivation and leads to high debts. This forces farmers to commit suicide every year. During a single month in 2006 about 279 farmers committed suicide, says a report compiled by farmers' wing of Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Chaotic hybrid seed market where products come and go at fast pace confuses farmers who do not know what they are using. Even seed firms rename and resell outdated seeds, observes Stone.

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