The Hindu Business Line : Seed cos urge TN for Bt cotton pricing order

Seed companies dealing with Bt cotton, the genetically modified cotton, in Tamil Nadu are hoping that the State Government would come out with an announcement on pricing as done by other cotton producing States.

Following the developments in Andhra Pradesh (AP), which took the issue of Bt cotton pricing by Mahyco Monsanto Biotech-India Ltd to the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) after which it restricted Mahyco from selling Bt cotton at more than Rs 750 a 450-gram packet, other State governments also intervened in the pricing.

The company, while acceding to the AP Government order, took the issue to the Supreme Court.

But pending the court's order on the issue, Mahyco and its sub-licencees who can use the technology have sold the seeds in the current season at Rs 750 a packet in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, about Rs 500 lower than that planned earlier.

Also, these state governments have come together to introduce a mechanism to regulate prices. But Tamil Nadu is yet to do so.

The seed sellers are concerned over this, because under their agreement with Mahyco Monsanto the technology fee is much higher. In an announcement last Friday, Mahyco Monsanto set the technology fees at Rs 880 for a 450-gram packet in line with MRTPC's order directing it not to charge Rs 900, pending a resolution of the issue.

In other States the seed companies have the protection of the respective State Government's order to sell lower at Rs 750. But with Tamil Nadu yet to come out with an announcement, the seed companies do not have this cushion against Mahyco Monsanto demanding its share, say industry sources.

Among the companies marketing Bt cotton this season are Rasi Seeds, Nuziveedu Seeds and Mahyco. Rasi will be marketing Bt versions of its RCH-2, RCH-20 and RCH 368; Nuziveedu, which entered the market in a small way last year, hopes to expand its market in the current year with Bt versions of its Bunny, Mallika and 913.

More Stories on : Cotton | Tamil Nadu | Seeds

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
SEBI clears MCX IPO

Mango exports to figure in talks with Japan

Jairam Ramesh moots new dept for plantation

Short of demand

Sharp fall in spot rubber

Call to defer decision on ethanol-blended petrol

Sugar dips

Sharp decline in precious metals

Seed cos urge TN for Bt cotton pricing order

RBD palmolein rules weak

Poultry farmers urged to curb maize buying

Pepper slips on quality concerns

AP Govt raises MSP for jowar, bajra and ragi