The new seed variety helps fight against weeds, which sap the cotton crop of vital nutrients and depress yields. India first allowed GM cotton cultivation in 2002 by approving Monsanto’s single gene Bollgard I technology. Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex would have been the first technological breakthrough since the launch of Bollgard II, potentially pushing up crop yields at a time when some farmers have said the existing variety was losing its effectiveness. Bollgard II, introduced in 2006, is slowly becoming vulnerable to bollworms, experts say, and, as any technology, has a limited shelf life. Still, more than 41 million GM cotton seed packets were sold last year, earning royalties of 6.5 billion Indian rupees ($97 million) for Monsanto.

Source: Mint August 24, 2016 16:07 UTC